§ 16-40-1 - Approval of secondary and higher schools by board – Certification to secretary of state. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-40-1

   § 16-40-1  Approval of secondary and higherschools by board – Certification to secretary of state. – (a) No academy, college, university, or other institution of secondary orhigher education shall be incorporated or established in this state or bepermitted to transact business within this state unless and until: (1) suitableprovision, approved by the board of regents for elementary and secondaryeducation or the board of governors for higher education, shall be made thatthe academy, college, university, or institution is in compliance with theprovisions of this chapter and with the regulations and standards for approvaladopted by the appropriate one of those boards to implement this chapter; and(2) for institutions offering an associates degree or higher, the institutionhas initiated discussions with the New England Association of Schools andColleges (NEASC) regarding potential accreditation.

   (b) The secretary of state, upon the receipt by him or herunder the provisions of the general laws of articles of association purportingto establish an educational institution, shall transmit the articles ofassociation to the appropriate board and shall not issue the certificate ofincorporation provided by the general laws unless and until the commissioner ofelementary and secondary education or the commissioner of higher educationshall file with the secretary of state a certificate over his or her signaturethat the appropriate board has approved the application for incorporation ascomplying with the requirements of this section.