(1) There is established in the Department of Education the Commission for Independent Education. The department shall serve as the administrative agent of the commission by providing services, including payroll, procurement, and legal counsel. The commission shall exercise independently all powers, duties, and functions prescribed by law. The commission shall authorize the granting of diplomas and degrees by any independent postsecondary educational institution under its jurisdiction.
(2) The Commission for Independent Education shall consist of seven members who are residents of this state. The commission shall function in matters concerning independent postsecondary educational institutions in consumer protection, program improvement, and licensure for institutions under its purview. The Governor shall appoint the members of the commission who are subject to confirmation by the Senate. The membership of the commission shall consist of:

(a) Two representatives of independent colleges or universities licensed by the commission.

Terms Used In Florida Statutes 1005.21

  • Agent: means a person who is employed by an independent postsecondary educational institution under the jurisdiction of the Commission for Independent Education, or by an out-of-state independent postsecondary educational institution, and who secures an application or accepts payment of fees from prospective students for the institution at any place other than the legal place of business of the institution. See Florida Statutes 1005.02
  • Commission: means the Commission for Independent Education. See Florida Statutes 1005.02
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Independent postsecondary educational institution: means any postsecondary educational institution that operates in this state or makes application to operate in this state, and is not provided, operated, and supported by the State of Florida, its political subdivisions, or the Federal Government. See Florida Statutes 1005.02
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • School: means any nonpublic postsecondary noncollegiate educational institution, association, corporation, person, partnership, or organization of any type which:
    (a) Offers to provide or provides any complete, or substantially complete, postsecondary program of instruction through the student's personal attendance; in the presence of an instructor; in a classroom, clinical, or other practicum setting; or through correspondence or other distance education;
    (b) Represents, directly or by implication, that the instruction will qualify the student for employment in an occupation for which a degree is not required in order to practice in this state;
    (c) Receives remuneration from the student or any other source based on the enrollment of a student or the number of students enrolled; or
    (d) Offers to award or awards a diploma, regardless of whether it conducts instruction or receives remuneration. See Florida Statutes 1005.02
(b) Two representatives of independent, nondegree-granting schools licensed by the commission.
(c) One member from a public school district or Florida College System institution who is an administrator of career education.
(d) One representative of a college that meets the criteria of s. 1005.06(1)(f).
(e) One lay member who is not affiliated with an independent postsecondary educational institution.
(3) The members of the commission shall be appointed to 3-year terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified. If a vacancy on the commission occurs before the expiration of a term, the Governor shall appoint a successor to serve the unexpired portion of the term.
(4) The commission shall meet at least four times each fiscal year.
(5) Members of the commission are entitled to reimbursement for travel and per diem expenses, as provided in s. 112.061, while performing their duties.
(6) Each member is accountable to the Governor for the proper performance of the duties of his or her office. The Governor may remove from office any member for cause.