WAC 132I-126-200. Initiation of disciplinary action

(1) Any member of the college community may refer a complaint to the student conduct officer against a student or student group for possible violations of the student conduct code.

(2) The student conduct officer, or designee, may review and investigate any referral to determine whether it reasonably appears to state a violation of the student conduct code. The student conduct officer is authorized to initiate their own investigation into student conduct without a referral from a community member.

Hazing by student groups. A student conduct officer, or designee, may review and investigate any complaint or allegation of hazing by a student group. A student group will be notified through its named officer(s) and address on file with the college. A student group may designate one representative who may speak on behalf of a student group during any investigation and/or disciplinary proceeding. A student group will have the rights of a respondent as set forth below.

(3) Investigations will be completed in a timely manner and the results of the investigation shall be reviewed by the student conduct officer to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted.

(4) If a student conduct officer determines that a complaint reasonably appears to state a violation of the student conduct code, the student conduct officer will consider whether the matter might be resolved through agreement with the respondent or through alternative dispute resolution proceedings involving the impacted and/or reporting party.

(a) Informal dispute resolution shall not be used to resolve sexual misconduct complaints without written permission from both the complainant and the respondent.

udent conduct code, the student conduct officer will consider whether the matter might be resolved through agreement with the respondent or through alternative dispute resolution proceedings involving the impacted and/or reporting party.

(a) Informal dispute resolution shall not be used to resolve sexual misconduct complaints without written permission from both the complainant and the respondent.

(b) If the parties elect to mediate a dispute through informal dispute resolution, either party shall be free to discontinue mediation at any time.

(5) If the student conduct officer has determined that a complaint has merit and if the matter is not resolved through agreement or informal dispute resolution, the student conduct officer may initiate disciplinary action against the respondent.

(6) All disciplinary actions will be initiated by the student conduct officer. If that officer is the subject of a complaint, the president shall, upon request and when feasible, designate another person to fulfill any such disciplinary responsibilities relative to the complaint.

(7) The student conduct officer shall initiate disciplinary action by serving the respondent with written notice directing them to attend a disciplinary meeting. The notice shall briefly describe the factual allegations, the provision(s) of the conduct code the respondent is alleged to have violated, the range of possible sanctions for the alleged violation(s), and specify the time and location of the meeting.

(8) At the meeting, the student conduct officer will present the allegations to the respondent and the respondent shall be afforded an opportunity to explain what took place. If the respondent fails to attend the meeting after proper service of notice, the student conduct officer may take disciplinary action based upon the available information.

), and specify the time and location of the meeting.

(8) At the meeting, the student conduct officer will present the allegations to the respondent and the respondent shall be afforded an opportunity to explain what took place. If the respondent fails to attend the meeting after proper service of notice, the student conduct officer may take disciplinary action based upon the available information.

(9) Within 10 business days of the initial disciplinary meeting, and after considering the evidence in the case, including any facts or argument presented by the respondent, the student conduct officer shall serve the respondent with a written decision setting forth the facts and conclusions supporting their decision, the specific student conduct code provisions found to have been violated, the discipline imposed (if any), and a notice of any appeal rights with an explanation of the consequences of failing to file a timely appeal.

(10) The student conduct officer may take any of the following disciplinary actions:

(a) Exonerate the respondent and terminate the proceedings;

(b) Impose a disciplinary sanction(s), with or without conditions, as described in WAC 132I-126-125 ; or

(c) Refer the matter directly to the student conduct committee for such disciplinary action as the committee deems appropriate. Such referral shall be in writing, to the attention of the chair of the student conduct committee, with a copy served on the respondent.