WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

[Filed February 7, 2024, 10:32 a.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 24-01-139.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 504-24 WAC, Policies and regulations for all student living groups.

Hearing Location(s): On March 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Join Zoom meeting from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android https://wsu.zoom.us/j/92081238714?pwd=TDNwMFR4VUEvcVp1OHZMSTZta2hjZz09, Meeting ID 920 8123 8714, Passcode 175903; or join by telephone +1-253-215-8782, +1-669-900-9128, or +1-646-558-8656; or One-tap mobile +12532158782,,92081238714# or +16699009128,,92081238714# (enter meeting ID and passcode when prompted). No in-person hearing locations are being scheduled for this hearing.

Date of Intended Adoption: April 19, 2024.

Submit Written Comments to: Deborah Bartlett, Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 641225, Pullman, WA 99164-1225, email prf.forms@wsu.edu, by March 13, 2024.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Joy Faerber, phone 509-335-2005, email prf.forms@wsu.edu, by March 11, 2024.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The Washington State University (WSU) is updating the policies and regulations for all student living groups, specifically WAC 504-24-030 Undergraduate housing requirement.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: WSU is modifying, clarifying, and updating WSU's undergraduate housing requirement.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.30.150.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Public.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Matthew Jeffries, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Campus Climate and Community Building, Student Affairs, Washington Building 231, Pullman, WA 99164-2322, 509-335-3417; Implementation and Enforcement: Jenna Hyatt, Dean of Students and Interim WSU Pullman Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, French Administration 122, Pullman, WA 99164-1013, 509-335-5757.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. WSU does not consider these rules to be significant legislative rules.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules only correct typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect.

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).

Explanation of exemptions: The new language clarifies what students the rule applies to, what type of semesters qualify as exemptions to the rule, updates certain language with gender neutral terms, removes grammatically unnecessary words, and clarifies/corrects the title of the individual who reviews an appeal under this rule.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

Deborah L. Bartlett, Director

Procedures, Records, and Forms

and University Rules Coordinator

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-07-069, filed 3/13/23, effective 4/13/23)

WAC 504-24-030Undergraduate housing requirement.

Housing requirements for single undergraduate students on residential campuses. To the extent that room is presently available, as determined by the university, all single undergraduate ((first-year)) students under 20 years of age are required to live in a residence hall for the equivalent of one academic year.

(1) Exemptions. Exemptions are considered when a student demonstrates to the ((Pullman)) campus vice chancellor for student affairs or designee that ((either)):

(a) The student has attended an institution of higher education as a regularly enrolled student for at least two ((regular))full-time semesters or three ((regular))full-time quarters (excluding summer sessions) following high school graduation or equivalent;

(b) The student is living with immediate family in a family situation (((mother and/or father))i.e., parent(s); legal guardian(s); aunt or uncle; or grandparent(s)) within 40 miles of their respective campus;

(c) The student has secured a statement from a physician or psychologist stating that ((residence))living in a residence hall would detrimentally affect the student's physical or mental health; or

(d) The student demonstrates that living in a residence hall would cause undue financial hardship or other extraordinary hardship.

(2) Process. Applications for permission to reside off campus are available from Washington State University. Applications are reviewed and a determination is made whether an exemption is ((to be)) granted. Persons applying for such exemption are informed of the decision in writing. Requests for reconsideration of the decision may be submitted to ((the Pullman))their respective campus vice chancellor for student affairs or designee. The vice chancellor or designee evaluates the appeal and approves or denies the appeal.