(a) Any Arkansas technical institute or comprehensive lifelong learning center desiring to offer college transfer courses or to increase the number of associate of applied science degrees being offered may initiate such college transfer courses or occupational degree programs under the provisions of this section upon approval of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(b)
(1) The Center for Collegiate Instruction, hereinafter called “the center”, means a legally designated collegiate center on the campus of a technical institute or a comprehensive lifelong learning center.
(2) The center shall be authorized to coordinate and offer college-level courses at such location.
(3) It shall comply with the established accreditation standards of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools for the umbrella college or university which acts as the sponsor for the center.
(c)
(1) Any technical institute or comprehensive lifelong learning center that desires to establish a collegiate center shall be required to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the sponsoring colleges or universities.
(2) The guidelines for establishing the memorandum of understanding shall be developed by the board.
(d)
(1) The associate degree programs to be offered at the center shall be developed by participating institutions and shall meet all the standards for accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
(2) Associate degree programs offered through a center must be approved for implementation by the board.
(e)
(1) Each university or college operating at least one (1) collegiate center shall designate a center director who shall manage the operation of the center and any subsequent satellite units which may be developed at other institutions.
(2) Each technical institute or comprehensive lifelong learning center shall designate a collegiate center coordinator who is to be responsible for the overall coordination of the center and its efficient operation.