PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-20-085.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Student rights and responsibilities -- Student complaint procedure, WAC 132U-120-260 through 132U-120-330. WAC 132U-120-270 through 132-120-330 was repealed. Changes are made to WAC 132U-120-260.
Hearing Location(s): Whatcom Community College, Laidlaw Center, Boardroom, 237 West Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, on Friday, February 5, 2010, at 1:00 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Friday, February 5, 2010.
Submit Written Comments to: Laurel Denison, 237 West Kellogg Road, e-mail kparrier@whatcom.ctc.edu, fax (360) 383-3077, by February 3, 2010.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Keri Burch, interpreter coordinator, by February 3, 2010, VP (360) 225-7182 or (360) 383-3043.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: To assure that a student complaint process exists; create an amendment that separates specific procedural steps from the policy; allows for minor revisions as necessary.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The structure of the student rights and responsibilities committee has changed and term lengths etc. need to be amended, and discrimination requirements have changed, requiring amendments to the WACs.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.130.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Whatcom Community College, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Laurel Denison, 237 West Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, (360) 383-3077; Implementation: Patricia Onion, 237 West Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, (360) 383-3070; and Enforcement: Ron Leatherbarrow, 237 West Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, (360) 383-3222.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No monetary implications are attached to this policy. No costs imposed on small business through adoption of these rule amendments.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. No economic impact. Rules relate to internal college operations.
December 18, 2010
Patricia Onion
Vice-President for
Educational Services
OTS-2889.1
STUDENT COMPLAINTS ((PROCEDURE))
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 03-01-072, filed 12/12/02,
effective 1/12/03)
WAC 132U-120-260
Purpose.
((The purpose of this
procedure is to:
• Protect each student's freedom of expression in the learning environment;
• Protect each student from improper, arbitrary or capricious academic evaluations (grades) or actions made by an instructor;
• Offer each student reasonable protection against arbitrary or capricious actions taken by college officials;
• Provide a mechanism for students to express concerns in an effort to improve the learning environment.
The emphasis of this procedure is on informal resolution of the complaint. Most differences are best resolved by direct, courteous, and respectful communication. Formal complaints, which involve hearings before the student rights and responsibilities committee, should be rare.)) Whatcom Community College is committed to providing quality service to students, including providing accessible services, accurate information, and equitable and fair application of policies and procedures, including evaluation of class performance, grading, and rules and regulations for student participation in college activities and student conduct. The college procedures pertaining to student complaints are delineated in the Whatcom Community College policy and procedures manual and published on the college web site.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.130 and 28B.50.140. 03-01-072, § 132U-120-260, filed 12/12/02, effective 1/12/03; 88-15-005 (Order 88-03), § 132U-120-260, filed 7/8/88.]
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
| WAC 132U-120-270 | Complaints excluded. |
| WAC 132U-120-285 | Time limits. |
| WAC 132U-120-320 | Withdrawal of complaint. |
| WAC 132U-120-330 | Administrative, faculty and staff grievances. |