(1) An initial decision may be appealed to the senior college official or designee, provided a party files a written request including the grounds for appeal for review with the conduct review officer within ten calendar days of service of the initial decision. The grounds for appeal are limited to new information not available at the time of the initial process, procedural error that impacted the outcome of the process, and/or bias of the student conduct official, or the conduct review officer.

(2) The senior college official or designee will not participate in any case in which they are or have been involved as a complainant or witness, or in which there is direct or personal interest, prejudice, or bias.

(3) During the appeal, the senior college official or designee will give each party an opportunity to file written responses explaining their view of the matter and will make any inquiries necessary to ascertain whether the sanctions should be modified or whether the proceedings should be referred to the student conduct appeal panel for a hearing.

(4) The decision on appeal must be in writing and must include a brief statement of the reason for the decision and must be served on the parties within twenty calendar days of the request for appeal. The decision will contain a notice whether appeal to Thurston County superior court is available.

(5) If the senior college official or designee determines that the respondent's conduct may warrant imposition of a college or college housing suspension of more than ten days or college expulsion or college housing eviction, the matter will be referred to the student conduct appeal panel for a hearing.

(6) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct or assault, the senior college official or designee, on the same date as the final decision is served on the respondent, will serve a written notice upon the complainant informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct or assault were found to have merit and describing any resolution and sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent, including suspension or expulsion of the respondent. The decision will contain a notice whether appeal to Thurston County superior court is available.