(1) At the conclusion of the hearing, the student conduct committee shall permit the parties to make closing arguments in whatever form it 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 twenty days following the conclusion of the hearing or the committee's receipt of closing arguments, whichever is later, the committee shall issue an initial 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 be so identified.

(3) The committee's initial order shall also include a determination on appropriate discipline, if any. If the matter was referred to the committee by the student conduct officer, the committee shall identify and impose disciplinary sanctions or conditions, if any, as authorized in the student conduct code. If the matter is an appeal by the responding party or the impacted party in the case of sexual misconduct, the committee may affirm, reverse, or modify the disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed by the student conduct officer and/or impose additional disciplinary sanctions or conditions as authorized herein. The notice will also inform the responding party of their appeal rights.

(4) The committee chair shall cause copies of the initial decision to be served on the parties and their legal counsel of record. 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 sexual misconduct, the chair of the student conduct committee will make arrangements to have a written notice served on the impacted party informing the impacted party of the decision, the reasons for the decision, and a description of any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions that may have been imposed upon the responding party, including suspension or dismissal of the responding party. The notice will also inform the impacted party of their appeal rights. This notice shall be served on the impacted party on the same date as the initial decision is served on the responding party. The impacted party may appeal the student conduct committee's initial decision to the president subject to the same procedures and deadlines applicable to other parties.