(1) Any party, including a complainant in sex-based harassment cases, may appeal the committee's decision to the president by filing a written appeal with the president's office within 21 calendar days of service of the committee's decision. Failure to file a timely appeal constitutes a waiver of the right and the initial decision shall be deemed final.
(2) The written appeal must identify the specific findings of fact and/or conclusions of law in the initial decision that are challenged and must contain an argument as to why the appeal should be granted. Appeals may be based upon, but are not limited to:
(a) Procedural irregularity that would change the outcome;
(b) New evidence that would change the outcome and that was not reasonably available when the initial decision was made; and
(c) The investigator, decision maker, or Title IX coordinator had a conflict of interest or bias for or against a respondent or complainant individually or respondents or complainants generally.
(3) Upon receiving a timely appeal, the president or a designee will promptly serve a copy of the appeal on all nonappealing parties, who will have 10 business days from the date of service to submit a written response addressing the issues raised in the appeal to the president or a designee, and serve it on all parties. Failure to file a timely response constitutes a waiver of the right to participate in the appeal.
(4) If necessary to aid review the president may ask for additional briefing from the parties on issues raised on appeal. The president's review shall be restricted to the hearing record made before the student conduct committee and will normally be limited to a review of those issues and arguments raised in the appeal.
(5) The president shall provide a written decision to all parties and their attorneys, if any, within 20 calendar days after receipt of the notice of appeal. The president's decision shall be final and subject to judicial review pursuant to chapter
34.05 RCW, Part V.
(6) In cases involving allegations of sex-based harassment, the president's decision must be served simultaneously on the complainant, respondent, and Title IX coordinator.
(7) The president shall not engage in any "ex parte" communication with any of the parties regarding an appeal.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
28B.50.140(13). WSR 25-02-031, s 495B-121-330, 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-121-330, filed 3/18/21, effective 4/18/21. Statutory Authority: RCW
28B.50.130. WSR 16-08-029, § 495B-121-135, filed 3/30/16, effective 4/30/16.]