Updates and Consumer Alerts
Updates Related to Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon, LLC, 2023
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission's Private Career Licensure is working with Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon to resolve the status of its programs and to provide clear options as soon as possible.
- Notice of License Revocation Final Order by Default has been issued to Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon; a Portland-based private career school offering Commercial Driver's License training programs.
- The notice issued on May 8th provides the school with the right to request a judicial review by filing a petition with the Court of Appeals in Salem, Oregon, within 60 days of this order.
- Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon has been removed from the Federal Motor Career Safety Administration (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry. Individuals from Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon will not be eligible to take the CDL exam through the DMV.
- The HECC has not received a formal closure notice from Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon. If HECC is notified of plans for closure or if the agency determines that closure has taken place, relevant updates will be added to this Updates and Consumer Alerts Webpage.
Updates Related to PDX Code Guild, LLC, 2023
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission's Private Career School Licensure is working with PDX Code Guild, LLC to resolve the status of its programs and to provide clear options to students as soon as possible.
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Notice of recommended License Suspension has been issued to PDX Code Guild, LLC; a Portland-based private career school offering training programs in computer programming and software development.
- The notice issued on May 8,2023 provides the school with 21 days to contest the agency's action. (715-0045-0065(5)(c). PDX Code Guild LLC has requested an Administrative Hearing.
- The HECC has not received a formal closure notice from PDX Code Guild, LLC. If HECC is notified of plans for closure or if the agency determines that closure has taken place, we would provide any relevant updates on this Updates and Consumer Alerts Webpage.
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In the event of a closure or any other change that significantly interrupts instructional activities, PDX Code Guild, LLC is required to notify the Commission and HECC will work to determine what options are available for students.
Updates Related to Synthesis Digital, LLC, D.B.A. Synthesis Institute, 2023
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission's Private Career School Licensure unit is working with Synthesis to resolve the status of its program and to provide clear options to students as soon as possible.
- In the event of a closure or any other change that significantly interrupts instructional activities, Synthesis is required to notify the Commission, and HECC will work to determine what options are available for students. We understand the situation is difficult for students, and more information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
- The HECC has not received a formal closure notice from Synthesis. If the HECC is notified of plans for closure or if the agency determines that closure has taken place, we would provide any relevant information on this
Updates and Consumer Alerts webpage.
WHAT IS HECC'S ROLE
- We are working with the school to ensure they are aware of and following compliance requirements. In general, in the event of a closure, we guide schools through the school closure plan and help ensure they are in compliance, and we make any relevant information available to students.
- If the HECC determines that the school has closed, the HECC will provide relevant information on its this page.
- The HECC is required to notify students of Tuition Protection Fund options, including how to file claims, within 60 days of school closure.
Updates Related to Closures, Planned Closures,
and Schools Operating without a License
Updates Related to Myco-Method, 2023
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission has issued a Cease and Desist order against Myco-Method Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program on May 18, 2023.
- Myco-Method appears to operating in the state of Oregon, and/or operating an instructional program targeting an Oregon professional license, without the required Private Career School License or exemption (ORS 345.030).
- A “Cease and Desist" order means the school must cease marketing for, enrollment in, and operation of its Oregon instructional program until it completes the licensing process or successfully receives an exemption from licensure.
- Students should know that the school is not licensed and there may be no mechanism for ensuring that the school is following state rules meant to ensure the minimum standards of ORS 345.325, including financial reporting, fair enrollment contracts, or compliance with financial aid requirements and consumer protection standards that apply to properly licensed Private Career Schools. Also, in the event that Myco-Method school closes, any students enrolled at the closing will be unable to submit claims to the state's tuition protection fund to recover some or all of their tuition and fees.
Updates Related to Alchemy Code Lab - 2023
6/5/2023 Update
Alchemy Code Lab, a Portland-based software development training program, has closed. Under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR)715-045-029(9)(b), Alchemy students attending Alchemy Code Lab at the time of its closure on February 1, 2023, can file a claim for unreimbursed tuition against the Tuition Protection Fund (TPF) for a refund. You must file a claim by July 1, 2023. Please note that CLAIMS RECEIVED AFTER JULY 1, 2023 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED by THE HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING COMMISSION.
To file a TPF claim please do the following:
- Read this notice to students which explains the terms and conditions
- Download a
Tuition Protection Fund Claim form and submit the form along with any supporting documents to SchoolClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov
- Submit the claim before July 1, 2023
- Please note that claims will only be accepted from students who were attending Alchemy Code Lab at the time of its closure on February 1, 2023
If you have questions about the Tuition Protection Fund claim process, please send them to: SchoolClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov. Please also see our
Frequently Asked Questions document.
Students needing to request a transcript:
You can contact
Alchemy Code Lab for your transcript. If you are unable to obtain your transcript directily from the school, you can request one from the HECC. In order to obtain your transcript from the HECC, please click on the Transcript Request Form on the HECC's website:
State of Oregon: Private Postsecondary - School Closures and Transcript Requests. The HECC will waive the $12 transcript request fee for all Alchemy Code Lab students until July 1, 2023. Any transcript requests submitted by Alchemy Code Lab students after July 1, 2023 will require the $12 fee.
Please contact Alchemy for more information about the following:
- Students needing to request transcripts or verify attendance dates, please contact
admissions@alchemycodelab.com
- Teacher's assistants needing employment information or verification, please contact
finance@alchemycodelab.com
- Current students will be contacted as the school has more specific transition plan activities for their cohort. They are welcome to reach out to the school in the meantime. Please direct message the school from "Slack," or email the school at
info@alchemycodelab.com
Any new updates will be posted on this HECC webpage, so please check back. Please note that we are working with Alchemy to help facilitate a smooth transition for Alchemy’s students.
The Office of Degree Authorization (ODA), a unit of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Office of Academic Policy and Authorization (HECC APA), is the state portal entity that authorizes degree-granting colleges in Oregon to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). On August 26, 2021, the HECC was formally notified that Independence University in Utah abruptly closed. This information was provided by the University regarding the closure:
Updates Related to Pioneer Pacific College - 2020
On July 20, 2020, the HECC was formally notified that Pioneer Pacific College in Springfield, Beaverton, and Portland, including Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland, plan to close on July 31, 2020. Please see the Questions and Answers (Q&A) document below for more information on the closure.
Updates Related to the Closure of Concordia University Portland - 2020
Updates Related to the Art Institute of Portland - 2018
Updates Related to Marylhurst University - 2018
Updates Related to the Closure of Oregon ITT Technology Institute - 2016
See previous updates regarding the ITT Tech closure here.
Additional transcripts now available:
Previously, transcripts were available to former ITT students that attended only from the years 2001 until the closing in July 2016. Transcripts are now available to former ITT students that completed a term or graduated form the years 1994 to 2001. Former students may request a copy of their transcripts online from Parchment, Inc. on their website at: