(1) A respondent who is aggrieved by the findings or conclusions issued by the student disciplinary committee may appeal the committee's initial decision to the president by filing a notice of appeal with the president's office within twenty calendar days of service of the committee's initial decision.
(2) The notice of appeal must assign error to specific findings of fact and/or conclusions of law in the initial decision and must contain argument regarding why the appeal should be granted. The president's review on appeal shall be limited to a review of those issues and arguments raised in the notice of appeal. Review shall be restricted to the record created below.
(3) The president shall provide a written order to all parties within forty-five calendar days after receipt of the notice of appeal. The president's decision shall be final.
(4) The president may exercise discretion to suspend any disciplinary action pending review of the merits of the findings, conclusions, and disciplinary actions imposed.
(5) The president shall not engage in an ex parte communication with any of the parties regarding an appeal.
(6) Respondents and complainants in a case involving allegations of sexual misconduct shall have the right to be accompanied by an attorney or nonattorney assistant of their choosing during the appeal process, but will be deemed to have waived that right unless they file with the president a written notice of the attorney's identity and participation within twenty calendar days of service of the committee's initial decision.
(7) Complainant may appeal the student conduct committee's initial decision to the president subject to the same procedures and deadlines applicable to other parties.
(a) In addition to the appeal rights provided to the respondent above, a complainant may also appeal the following actions by the student conduct officer:
(i) The dismissal of a sexual misconduct complaint; or
(ii) Any disciplinary sanction(s) and conditions imposed against a respondent for a sexual misconduct violation, including a disciplinary warning.
(b) If the respondent timely appeals a decision imposing discipline for a sexual misconduct violation, the college shall notify the complainant of the appeal, and provide the complainant an opportunity to intervene as a party to the appeal.
(c) The president will serve complainant a written notice indicating that the appeal has been resolved on the same date that the final order is served upon the respondent. This notice shall inform the complainant whether the sexual misconduct allegation was found to have merit and describe any sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including suspension or dismissal of the respondent.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
28B.50.140. WSR 17-22-054, § 132R-04-150, filed 10/25/17, effective 11/25/17; WSR 16-15-011, § 132R-04-150, filed 7/8/16, effective 8/8/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
28B.50.140 and chapter
34.05 RCW. WSR 03-15-063, § 132R-04-150, filed 7/14/03, effective 8/14/03; Order 69-4, § 132R-04-150, filed 12/5/69.]