(1) The majority of student conduct matters are adjudicated through conduct officer hearings. However, conduct officer hearings are not used to adjudicate matters in which the respondent faces possible sanctions of suspension for more than 10 instructional days, expulsion, or revocation of degree or when a recognized or registered student organization faces possible loss of recognition. In addition, conduct officer hearings generally are not used to adjudicate matters in which the respondent faces allegations of sexual misconduct, as that term is defined in WAC 504-26-221.

(2) Notice of hearing. The conduct officer must provide the parties with written notice no later than seven calendar days prior to the conduct officer hearing. The notice must include:

(a) A brief description of the factual allegations or issues involved;

(b) The specific standard of conduct provision(s) the respondent is alleged to have violated;

(d) Information regarding what to expect during the student conduct process and student rights including, but not limited to:

(i) A statement that the parties have the right to have an advisor present at the hearing;

(ii) A statement regarding the right not to self-incriminate in accordance with WAC 504-26-045;

(iii) Information regarding the right to request recusal of a conduct officer under WAC 504-26-125;

(e) Available resources, including how to access an information session and legal resources in the community;

(f) A statement that any request to modify the time or date of the conduct officer hearing should be addressed to CCS;

(g) A statement that indicates that respondents are presumed "not responsible" for the pending allegations;

(h) A statement that violations are determined by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that it is more likely than not that the violation occurred.

(3) Hearing and possible outcomes. Conduct officer hearings are brief adjudications conducted in accordance with RCW 34.05.482 through 34.05.494. The hearing allows the conduct officer to review available information, hear the parties' view of the matter, render a decision regarding responsibility, and assign sanctions, as appropriate.

(a) Upon conclusion of the hearing, the conduct officer may take any of the following actions:

(i) Find the respondent responsible for any or all of the alleged violations and assign sanctions as provided in WAC 504-26-425 within the limitations described in subsection (1) of this section;

(ii) Find the respondent not responsible for any or all of the alleged violations;

(iii) Dismiss the matter with no finding regarding responsibility, in which case the matter may be reopened at a later date if relevant new information becomes known; or

(iv) Refer the matter to the conduct board.

(4) Notice of decision and right to appeal. The conduct officer notifies the parties in writing of the decision within 10 calendar days of the conduct officer hearing. This is the initial order of the university and must include:

(a) Description of the allegations that initiated the community standards process;

(b) Description of procedural steps taken from the receipt of the formal complaint up to and including the university conduct board hearing;

(d) The sanction(s) and/or remedy(ies) to be assigned, if any, and the rationale for the sanction(s) and/or remedy(ies);

(e) Information regarding the parties' right to appeal according to WAC 504-26-420, including the time frame for seeking review; and

(f) Notice that the initial order becomes final unless an appeal is filed within 20 calendar days of the date the initial order is sent to the parties.

PDFWAC 504-26-402

Conduct officer hearings (brief adjudications).