Section 348.594 - Definitions for ORS 348.594 to 348.615 As used in ORS 348.594 to 348.615:
(1)(a) "Diploma mill" means:(A) A school against which a court or public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, has issued a ruling or finding, after due process procedures, that the school has engaged in dishonest, fraudulent or deceptive practices related to the award of degrees, academic standards or student learning requirements;(B) An entity without legal authority as a school to issue degrees valid as credentials in the jurisdiction that authorizes issuance of degrees; or(C) A school or entity that: (i) Offers fee-based degrees, diplomas or certificates that may be used to represent to the general public that the individual possessing the degree, diploma or certificate has completed a program of post-secondary education or training;(ii) Requires an individual to complete little or no education or coursework to obtain the degree, diploma or certificate; and(iii) Has not been accredited by a post-secondary accrediting agency.(b) "Diploma mill" does not include:(A) A school operating legally under ORS 348.604; or(B) A school that is actively seeking and able to show evidence of reasonable progress toward institutional accreditation with a post-secondary accrediting agency.(2) "Post-secondary accrediting agency" means a legal entity, or part of a legal entity, that: (a) Conducts accrediting activities through voluntary peer review;(b) Makes decisions concerning the accreditation or pre-accreditation status of institutions and programs; and(c) Is recognized by the United States Department of Education as an entity that conducts the activities and makes the decisions described in this subsection.(3)(a) "School" means a person, organization, school or institution of learning that confers or offers to confer an academic degree upon a person or to provide academic credit applicable to a degree.(b) "School" does not include:(A) An Oregon community college;(B) A public university listed in ORS 352.002; or(C) The Oregon Health and Science University.Amended by 2023 Ch. 557, § 7, eff. 7/31/2023.Amended by 2016 Ch. 30, § 2, eff. 1/1/2017.1997 c.652 §8; 1999 c.59 §93; 2005 c. 546, § 8; 2007 c. 325, § 1