Distance Ed at a Crossroads: The Changing Landscape of New Regulations
SAN and WCET In-Person Special Event
July 30, 2024 1:00 PM - July 31, 2024 12:00 PM
Location : Marriott St. Louis Grand, 800 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 6310
Significant changes are being proposed for distance education courses and programs. If implemented, these new regulations will greatly affect your online courses, programs, and services to students. Join the WCET and SAN policy team for an in-person event to help you navigate the changing landscape of new regulations.
Regulatory changes under consideration by the Department and to be discussed:
- Changes to state authorization reciprocity:
- Limit institutions to 500 students enrolled in each state.
- Subject institutions to requirements in each state for records retention, teach-out plans, and paying into tuition recovery funds or surety bonds.
- Allow students to complain directly to the state.
- Allow the student’s state to take responsibility for resolving their complaint.
- Limit reciprocity governance board membership to state personnel.
- For distance education overall:
- Require attendance-taking of all distance education courses.
- Disallow asynchronous education for institutions using the clock hour method of financial aid disbursement.
- Categorize students in online programs in a “virtual location” for consumer protection and data gathering purposes.
- Update distance education “substantive change” requirements for accreditation.
- Change “inclusive” or “equitable” access programs so that students must opt-into them.
- Requirements for contracting with “third-party servicers.”
Additionally, time will be spent discussing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the “Chevron deference,” which could change how much regulatory authority federal Departments will retain.
Review the full program and Register today to save your seat!
Registration Categories and Pricing
Group Hotel
Marriott St. Louis Grand
800 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63101
The event will be hosted at the historic Marriott St. Louis Grand. With a prime downtown location near the St. Louis Zoo, City Museum, Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village, and the Gateway Arch, this downtown St. Louis hotel is a National Historic Landmark.
The WCET group rate is $169/night plus applicable taxes and fees. The booking deadline is July 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM CDT, unless it fills sooner.
Transportation and Parking
Pricing listed in this section is current as of January 26, 2024.
The St. Louis Lambert International Airport is approximately 14 miles from the Marriott St. Louis Grand.
Transportation options:
- Metrolink Light Rail: $4.00, ~30 minutes to the 8th & Pine station, followed by a 0.2-mile walk to the hotel.
- Metrolink Station Terminal 1 is at Exit Door 1, Ticketing Level, east of all ticket counters.
- Metrolink Station Terminal 2 is at Exit Door 12, through the parking garage.
- Taxi: ~$35 one-way, ~20 minutes.
- Rideshare: ~$26 one-way, ~20 minutes.
Parking:
- Overnight self-parking: $35 daily; valet: $53 daily.
- Day rate self-parking: $15 daily; valet: $29 daily.
Oversize vehicles cannot be accommodated.
What to Wear
Business casual is recommended for the meeting. The average high in late July in St. Louis is 90 degrees, and the average low is 71. Please bring a layer for the meeting room!
Registration Desk
Registration will be set up in the Crystal Foyer on the 20th floor on July 30 beginning at 11:30 AM. Stop by to pick up your name badge and other information before the meeting begins.
Attractions
The hotel is within walking distance to many St. Louis attractions. Learn more at Explore St. Louis.