Sec. 61.826. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. (a) The board by rule shall adopt procedures to be followed by:

(1) institutions of higher education in resolving disputes concerning the transfer of lower division course credit; and

(2) the commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee in making a final determination concerning transfer of the course credit if the transfer is in dispute.

(b) Each institution of higher education shall publish in its course catalogs the procedures adopted by the board under Subsection (a).

(c) If an institution of higher education does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, that institution shall give written notice to the student and the other institution that the transfer of the course credit is denied. The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with board rules. If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or the institution at which the credit was earned within 45 days after the date the student received written notice of the denial, the institution that denies the transfer of the course credit shall notify the commissioner of higher education of its denial and the reasons for the denial.

(d) The commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee shall make the final determination about a dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice of the determination to the involved student and institutions.

(e) The board shall collect data on the types of transfer disputes that are reported and the disposition of each case that is considered by the commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1016, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1997.