(1) Initiation: The AIB review process will be initiated when:
(a) The instructor or student requests AIB review;
(b) The instructor refers the matter to the AIB because the instructor and student could not agree to a conference date/time or did not reach an agreement during a conference; or
(c) The AVP determines that the AIB review process is appropriate to the circumstances.
(2) Scheduling: Within seven calendar days of determining that an AIB review is in order, the AVP shall schedule a review for the next available meeting of the AIB.
(3) Notification: The AVP will notify the student, instructor, and AIB chair. Notification will include:
(a) All information provided by the instructor when the violation was reported and all documents related to the alleged violation. However, any such information and documents that were previously provided to the student are not required to be included in this notification. Also, information and documents should be redacted to the extent their release would compromise test or examination contents or if the documents include other student's education records;
(b) The date/time of the AIB review;
(c) Instructions on how to submit documents, statements, and other materials for consideration by the AIB;
(d) A clear statement that the AIB review is a closed process (no student, instructor or person other than the board is present at the review);
(e) A description of the specific rules governing the AIB review process;
(f) A description of the university's academic integrity rules and processes; and
(g) Contact information for the AVP's office where the student and/or instructor can request further information and assistance. Notifications will strongly encourage the student to contact the AVP to ensure that the student understands the process, the violation, and the potential sanctions.
(4) Student and instructor response: The student must prepare a written statement and submit the statement to the AVP's office within seven calendar days after receiving the AIB review notice. The student may include any relevant written documentation, written third-party statements, or other evidence deemed relevant to the student's interests. Unless already provided, the instructor should submit the syllabus, the relevant test/assignment, and other materials that are pertinent to the violation to the AVP's office.
(5)
Failure to respond: If the student does not respond to the notification of the AIB review within seven calendar days, the AVP will send another notification to the student. Failure of the student to respond to the second notification within seven calendar days will be treated as an admission of responsibility and acceptance of AIB approved sanctions. The AVP will coordinate sanctioning with the instructor and/or the AIB as needed. If, after determining that a student has engaged in an academic integrity code violation and imposing the academic sanctions, the AIB believes that a suspension or expulsion may be appropriate, the AIB may, in addition to imposing such sanctions, refer the case to the director of student rights and responsibilities for a full hearing under the student conduct code, chapter
172-121 WAC, for the student disciplinary council to make a determination as to whether or not suspension or expulsion should also be imposed. The hearing before the student disciplinary council will be de novo and separate from any findings and sanctions imposed by the AIB.
(6) Extensions. If any of the notifications in this process are sent to a student or faculty member outside of the relevant program's academic term, the AVP may grant the student or faculty member a continuance to the deadline for responding upon request.
(7) Proceedings: The board's responsibility is to review the statements and other materials provided by each party, review other relevant records, information, or materials, and make a determination as to whether the alleged academic integrity violation occurred. The board primarily reviews written evidence. Neither the student nor the instructor is permitted to attend the AIB review. The board may, at its discretion, consult with the instructor, the student or others as deemed appropriate or necessary. All evidence collected in this process will be made available to the student and/or instructor upon request.
(8)
Sanctions: The board will determine what, if any, sanctions will be imposed. The board may impose the same sanctions assigned and/or recommended by the instructor, or may impose greater or lesser sanctions. If the student has any previous violation(s) of academic integrity standards, the AIB may increase the sanction imposed to account for repeat offenses. If the AIB believes a suspension or expulsion may be appropriate, the AIB will make its own findings of responsibility and may impose an academic sanction that is within its authority. The AIB may then refer the case for a full hearing under the student conduct code, chapter
172-121 WAC, for the student disciplinary council to make a determination as to whether or not suspension or expulsion should also be imposed. The hearing before the student disciplinary council will be de novo and separate from any findings and sanctions imposed by the AIB.
(9) Conclusion: The board should conclude its review and issue a decision within 30 calendar days after the initial AIB review meeting. The AVP shall notify the student and instructor of the board's decisions, along with the right to request reconsideration.
(10)
Requests for review: Either the student or the instructor may request reconsideration by the provost or designee by submitting a request in writing to the provost or designee within 21 calendar days after the board issues its written decision. The AVP may grant the student or instructor a continuance to the deadline for requesting a review based on extenuating circumstances. The provost or designee shall allow the student and the instructor an opportunity to respond in writing to the request for review. The student and instructor's responses, if any, must be submitted within seven calendar days of the request for review. If the student has a case pending under the student conduct code based on the same alleged misconduct, the timelines for requesting review and the timelines for responding will be stayed until the student disciplinary council issues its decision under the student conduct code. If the AIB recommended a suspension or expulsion and the case was forwarded for a full hearing under the student conduct code, the imposition of a sanction of suspension or expulsion may be appealed in accordance with the appeals process set forth in WAC
172-121-130. If the AIB imposed a sanction, such as an XF grade or removal from an academic program, such sanction may be appealed to the provost in accordance with this section.
After reviewing the responses and materials considered by the board, the provost or designee shall issue a decision in writing within 21 calendar days of receipt of the request for review. The decision must include a brief statement of the reasons for the provost or designee decision and notice that judicial review may be available. All decisions of the provost or designee are final and no appeals within the university are permitted. Judicial review may be available under chapter
34.05 RCW.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
28B.35.120(12). WSR 22-12-042, § 172-90-160, filed 5/25/22, effective 6/25/22. Statutory Authority: RCW
28B.35.120(12) and
42.56.070. WSR 20-21-026, § 172-90-160, filed 10/9/20, effective 11/9/20; WSR 19-07-045, § 172-90-160, filed 3/14/19, effective 4/14/19. Statutory Authority: RCW
28B.35.120(12). WSR 17-11-052, § 172-90-160, filed 5/15/17, effective 6/15/17; WSR 15-14-079, § 172-90-160, filed 6/29/15, effective 7/30/15; WSR 14-20-082, § 172-90-160, filed 9/29/14, effective 10/30/14.]