Submitted by jshanika on Fri, 09/02/2016 – 11:22

Boulder, CO – On August 26th, 2016, the state of Utah was approved by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) to join as the latest SARA state bringing the national total to 42 states plus the District of Columbia. This newest addition attests to the success of the SARA initiative to provide Higher Education a better way for states to oversee the delivery of postsecondary distance education.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education. SARA makes it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state and improves consumer protection.

The Utah System of Higher Education will serve as the state’s “portal” entity and single point of contact for the Utah institutions participating in SARA.  Cynthia Grua, the portal entity leader, remarked, “I think I heard a collective sigh along the Wasatch Front and beyond when the WICHE Commissioner’s approved Utah’s state SARA application August 25.  Utah institutions have been diligent in their efforts to meet the SARA requirements in other states.  (I am privy to the level of effort expended by the eight institutions in the public education system. Overwhelming.)  Utah is truly excited to be included in SARA in support of the Utah System institutions as well as private and proprietary institutions in the Beehive State.  I suspect we will see 15+ Utah SARA institutions applications this Fall.”

SARA is proud to welcome Utah as a new member.

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