After discussion with the Vice Chancellor of Governmental Affairs (Vince Stewart) at the CCCCO, this appears to be a dead issue, as there is interest in a more robust system than SARA.
Whereas, The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) has garnered support around the United States, with more than 10 states joining the agreement to allow students to take online courses without individual colleges needing to seek authorization from those students’ home states;
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, in resolution 7.01 S14, urged “the Chancellor’s Office and other state entities to analyze without delay the potential benefits and risks of participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, and report the results of the analysis to the field as soon as possible”;
Whereas, Senate Bill 634 (Block, 2015), “provides the mechanism for California colleges and universities to participate in limited interstate reciprocity among states, including through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement” but is now a two-year bill; and
Whereas, Current reciprocity agreements vary by college and therefore potentially prevent students in the Online Education Initiative Exchange from being able to participate as intended;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges partner with the Chancellor’s Office and other organizations to urge support for the inclusion of California community colleges in reciprocity agreements, including the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.
MSC