WSR 18-06-100

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 7, 2018, 9:04 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 132U-125 WAC, Whatcom Community College (WCC) student rights and responsibilities policy and chapter 132U-300 WAC, WCC discrimination and harassment; delete chapter 132U-125 WAC because the existing policy and procedures must be entirely rewritten; add chapter 132U-126 WAC based on assistant attorney general (AAG) statewide model policy and procedure recommendations; and edit chapter 132U-300 WAC based on AAG statewide model policy recommendations.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 28B.50 RCW, Community and technical colleges; RCW 28B.50.100 Board of trustees—Generally, 28.50.140 Board of trustees—Power and duties.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The existing chapter 132U-125 WAC, Student rights and responsibilities and chapter 132U-300 WAC, Discrimination and harassment, have out-of-date definitions, jurisdiction, and procedures that must be updated and revised based upon the AAG model policies and procedures and a statewide review of best practices among community and technical colleges. The existing chapter 132U-125 WAC does not address the recent federal and state regulations.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Education added new Title IX and Violence Against Women Act regulations which require expanded rights for victims of sexual harassment and crimes. These rights must be outlined in WCC student rights and responsibilities, and discrimination and harassment.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Barbara Nolze, 237 West Kellogg Road, LDC 208, Bellingham, WA 98226, phone 360-383-3077, email bnolze@whatcom.edu, web site www.whatcom.edu.

March 7, 2018

B. Nolze

Administrative Assistant