(1) The student conduct officer initiates all disciplinary actions. If that officer is the subject of a complaint the respondent initiates, the president will, upon request and when feasible, designate another person to fulfill any such disciplinary responsibilities that relate to the complainant.

(2) The student conduct officer initiates disciplinary action by personally informing the student of the allegations or serving the respondent with written notice directing them to attend a disciplinary meeting. The notice will briefly describe the:

(a) Factual allegations;

(b) Provision(s) of the conduct code the respondent allegedly violated;

(c) Range of possible sanctions for the alleged violation(s);

(d) Time and location of the meeting.

At the meeting, the student conduct officer will present the allegations to the respondent and the respondent will be afforded an opportunity to explain what took place. If the respondent fails or refuses to attend the meeting after proper service of notice, the student conduct officer may take disciplinary action based upon the available information.

(3) The student conduct officer, prior to taking disciplinary action in a case involving allegations of sexual misconduct, will make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant to discuss the results of the investigation and possible disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions, if any, that may be imposed upon the respondent if the allegations of sexual misconduct are found to have merit.

(4) Within ten calendar days of the initial disciplinary meeting, and after considering the evidence in the case, including any facts or argument presented by the respondent, the student conduct officer will give the respondent a written decision that states:

(a) The facts and conclusions that support the decision;

(b) The specific student conduct code provisions that were violated;

(c) The discipline imposed, if any;

(d) A notice of any appeal rights with an explanation of the consequences of not filing a timely appeal.

(5) The student conduct officer may take any of the following disciplinary actions:

(a) Exonerate the respondent and terminate the proceedings;

(b) Impose a disciplinary sanction(s) as described in WAC 495D-121-290;

(c) Refer the matter directly to the student conduct committee for such disciplinary action as the committee deems appropriate. The student conduct officer will make this referral in writing, to the attention of the student conduct committee's chair with a copy served on the respondent.

(6) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the student conduct officer, on the same date that a disciplinary decision is served on the respondent, will serve a written notice informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct were found to have merit and describing any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including disciplinary suspension or dismissal of the respondent. The notice will also inform the complainant of their appeal rights. If protective sanctions and/or conditions are imposed, the student conduct officer shall make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant to ensure prompt notice of the protective disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions.