PDFWAC 495B-121-325

Student conduct committeeInitial decision.

(1) At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee chair shall permit the parties to make closing arguments in whatever form, written or verbal, the committee wishes to receive them. The committee also may permit each party to propose findings, conclusions, and/or a proposed decision for its consideration.
(2) Within 20 calendar days following the latter of the conclusion of the hearing or the committee's receipt of closing arguments, the committee shall issue a decision in accordance with RCW 34.05.461 and WAC 10-08-210. The initial decision shall include findings on all material issues of fact and conclusions on all material issues of law, including which, if any, provisions of the student conduct code were violated. Any findings based substantially on the credibility of evidence or the demeanor of witnesses shall so be identified.
(3) The committee's initial order shall also include a determination on appropriate sanctions, if any. If the matter was referred to the committee by the student conduct officer or their designee, the committee shall identify and impose disciplinary sanction(s) or conditions (if any), as authorized in the student code. If the matter is an appeal by a party, the committee may affirm, reverse, or modify the disciplinary sanction and/or conditions imposed by the student conduct officer or designee, and/or impose additional disciplinary sanction(s) or conditions as authorized herein.
(4) The committee chair shall cause copies of the initial decision to be served on the parties and their attorney, if any. The notice will inform the parties of their appeal rights. The committee chair shall also promptly transmit a copy of the decision and the record of the committee's proceedings to the president.
(5) In cases involving allegations of sex-based harassment, the initial decision shall be served on all parties simultaneously, as well as the Title IX coordinator.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140(13). WSR 25-02-031, s 495B-121-325, filed 12/19/24, effective 1/19/25. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW; and RCW 28B.50.140(13); 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.; RCW 28B.50.130. WSR 21-07-085, amended and recodified as § 495B-121-325, filed 3/18/21, effective 4/18/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.130. WSR 16-08-029, § 495B-121-130, filed 3/30/16, effective 4/30/16.]