(1) All disciplinary actions are initiated by the student conduct officer. If the respondent has submitted an active complaint against the student conduct officer, the president shall, upon request, designate another person to fulfill any disciplinary responsibilities relative to the complaint.

(2) The student conduct officer initiates disciplinary action by serving the respondent with written notice directing the student to attend a disciplinary meeting. The notice briefly describes the factual allegations, the provision(s) of the student conduct code that the respondent is alleged to have violated, the range of possible sanctions for the alleged violation(s), and specifies the time and location of the meeting. At the meeting the student conduct officer presents the allegations to the respondent, and the respondent is 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.

(3) Prior to taking disciplinary action in a case involving sexual misconduct, the student conduct officer will make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant(s):

(a) To discuss the results of the investigation; and

(b) If the allegations of sexual misconduct are found to have merit, to discuss the possible disciplinary sanctions or conditions that may be imposed upon the respondent and are for the complainant's protection.

(4) Within ten 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 will serve the respondent with a written decision setting forth the facts and conclusions supporting the decision, the specific student conduct code provisions found to have been violated, the discipline imposed, if any, and a notice of appeal rights with an explanation of the consequences of failing to file a timely appeal.

(5) 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) as described in WAC 495A-121-044; or

(c) Refer the matter directly to the student/faculty disciplinary committee for disciplinary action as the committee deems appropriate. This referral is in writing, to the attention of the chair of the student/faculty disciplinary committee, and with a copy served on the respondent.

(6) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, both the respondent and the complainant will be provided the same procedural rights to participate in student discipline matters, including the right to participate in the initial disciplinary decision-making process and to appeal the disciplinary decision. On the same date that a disciplinary decision is served on the respondent, the student conduct officer will serve a written notice informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct were found to have merit and describe any disciplinary sanctions or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including disciplinary suspension or dismissal of the respondent. The notice also informs the complainant of their appeal rights. If protective sanctions or conditions are imposed, the student conduct officer will make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant and ensure prompt notice of the protective disciplinary sanctions or conditions.