(a) As soon as practicable, but not later than the sixtieth day after an institution submits an administratively complete application for approval, Board Staff shall provide informal notice and opportunity for comment to institutions of higher education that offer substantially similar programs in the region, as defined by the Board, where the program will be delivered.(b) Board Staff shall provide notification of the applicant institution's request for approval and allow not fewer than thirty days for a noticed institution to provide comments to Board Staff regarding:(1) State or local need for the proposed program; or(2) Evidence of whether the program unnecessarily duplicates programs offered by public, private, or independent institutions in the Higher Education Regions that offer substantially similar programs.(c) When considering whether to approve a program requiring approval under this chapter, the Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, or Board shall consider the comments that the noticed institutions provide to the Board under this section.(d) An institution may submit a Public Information Request to receive a copy of all institutional comments received during the 30-day comment period.