WSR 21-04-071
PROPOSED RULES
BIG BEND
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
[Filed January 29, 2021, 12:09 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 20-20-139.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Student code of conduct violations, WAC 132R-04-057; Supplemental Title IX student conduct procedures, WAC 132R-04-300, 132R-04-305, 132R-04-310, 132R-04-315, 132R-04-320, 132R-04-325, 132R-04-330, 132R-04-335, and 132R-04-340.
Hearing Location(s): On March 9, 2021, at 2:30 [p.m.] This hearing will be held via Zoom/phone conference due to Governor Inslee's COVID[-19] restrictions. The link will be shared on the Big Bend Community College (BBCC) WAC rules process site https://www.bigbend.edu/about-us/policies-and-procedures/.
Date of Intended Adoption: March 24, 2021.
Submit Written Comments to: Melinda Owens Dourte, 7662 Chanute Street N.E., email melindad@bigbend.edu, 509-793-2001, by March 2, 2021.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Azucena Halmsteiner, phone 509-793-2027, email azucenah@bigbend.edu.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: BBCC edited sections and created new sections to update current chapter 132R-04 WAC, Student conduct code, in order to be in compliance with: (1) The new United States Department of Education (DOE) Title IX regulations that went into effect on August 14, 2020, and (2) the Washington State Court of Appeals Division III decision in Nelson v. Spokane Community College, 14 Wn. App.2d 40, 469 P.3d 317 (2020).
Reasons Supporting Proposal: On May 19, 2020, the Federal Register printed amendments to Title IX regulations (85 F.R. 30575). The new regulations address the grievance process for formal complaints of sexual harassment. This updates the college's student conduct code to be compliant with federal regulations. Agencies not in compliance would be at risk of losing federal funding. In addition, on August 4, 2020, the Washington Court of Appeals Division III filed an opinion regarding academic misconduct in the Nelson v. Spokane Community College, 14 Wn. App.2d 40, 469 P.3d 317 (2020). The proposed amendment to WAC 132R-04-057 provides clarification regarding BBCC's treatment of academic misconduct to ensure compliance with the decision of the court of appeals.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 34.05 RCW; and RCW 28B.50.140(13).
Statute Being Implemented: 34 C.F.R. Part 106.
Rule is necessary because of federal law, and state court decision, 34 C.F.R. Part 106; Nelson v. Spokane Community College, 14 Wn. App.2d 40, 469 P.3d 317 (2020).
Name of Proponent: BBCC, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Andre Guzman or Kim Garza, 7662 Chanute Street N.E., Moses Lake, 509-793-2077 or [509-793-]2010.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. BBCC is not one of the enumerated agencies required to conduct cost-benefit analyses under RCW 34.05.328(5).
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute; and rules adopt, amend, or repeal a procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or a filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.
January 29, 2021
Melinda Dourte
Executive Assistant
to the President
OTS-2757.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-17-026, filed 8/6/18, effective 9/6/18)
WAC 132R-04-057Student code of conduct violations.
The college may impose sanctions against a student who commits, attempts to commit, aids, abets, incites, encourages, or assists another person to commit an act of misconduct. Misconduct for which the college may impose sanctions includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Academic dishonesty. Any act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or fabrication.
(a) Cheating includes, but is not limited to, any attempt to give or obtain unauthorized assistance relating to the completion of an academic assignment.
(b) Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, taking and using as one's own, without proper attribution, the ideas, writings, or work of another person in completing an academic assignment. Prohibited conduct may also include the unauthorized submission for credit of academic work that has been submitted for credit in another course.
(c) Fabrication includes falsifying data, information, or citations in completing an academic assignment, and also includes providing false or deceptive information in an instructional course concerning the completion of an assignment.
(d) This section shall not be construed as preventing an instructor from taking immediate disciplinary action as provided herein where the instructor is required to act upon such breach of academic dishonesty in order to preserve order and prevent disruptive conduct in the classroom.
(e) This section shall also not be construed as preventing an instructor from adjusting the student's grade on a particular project, paper, test, or class grade for academic dishonesty.
(2) Other dishonesty. Acts of dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
(a) Forgery, alteration, submission of falsified documents or misuse of any college document, record, or instrument of identification;
(b) Tampering with an election conducted by or for college students; or
(c) Furnishing false information, or failing to furnish correct information, in response to the request or requirement of a college officer or employee.
(3) Obstructive or disruptive conduct. Conduct not otherwise protected by law that interferes with, impedes, or otherwise unreasonably hinders:
(a) Any instruction, research, administration, disciplinary proceeding, or other college activities, including the obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular movement on college property or at a college activity; or
(b) Any activity that is authorized to occur on college property, whether or not actually conducted or sponsored by the college.
(4) Assault, intimidation, harassment. Unwanted touching, physical abuse, verbal abuse, threat(s), intimidation, harassment, bullying, or other conduct which harms, threatens, or is reasonably perceived as threatening the health or safety of another person or another person's property. For purposes of this code, bullying is repeated or aggressive unwanted behavior, not otherwise protected by law, that humiliates, harms, or intimidates the victim.
(5) Cyber misconduct. Cyber misconduct including, but not limited to: Cyberstalking, cyberbullying, or online harassment.
(a) Use of electronic communications including, but not limited to, electronic mail, instant messaging, electronic bulletin boards, and social media sites, to harass, abuse, bully or engage in other conduct which harms, threatens, or is reasonably perceived as threatening the health or safety of another person.
(b) Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, unauthorized monitoring of another's email communications directly or through spyware, sending threatening emails, disrupting electronic communications with spam or by sending a computer virus, sending false messages to third-parties using another's email identity, nonconsensual recording of sexual activity, and nonconsensual distribution of a recording of sexual activity.
(6) Property violation. Damage to, misappropriation of, unauthorized use or possession of, vandalism, or other nonaccidental damaging or destruction of college property or the property of another person.
Property for the purposes of this subsection includes computer passwords, access codes, identification cards, personal financial account numbers, other confidential personal information, intellectual property, and college trademarks.
(7) Failure to comply with directive. Failure to comply with the directive(s) of a college officer or employee who is acting in the legitimate performance of his or her duties, including failure to properly identify oneself to such a person when requested to do so.
(8) Weapons. Possession of any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, explosive device or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, unless previously authorized by the vice president of learning and student success. This policy does not apply to the possession of a personal protection spray device, as authorized by RCW 9.91.160. This policy is subject to the following exceptions:
(a) Commissioned law enforcement personnel in the state of Washington, legally authorized military personnel while in performance of their duties, and other persons or entities authorized by contract to carry firearms in the course of their employment;
(b) A student with a valid concealed weapons permit may store a pistol in his or her vehicle parked on campus in accordance with RCW 9.41.050 (2) or (3), provided the vehicle is locked and the weapon is concealed from view; or
(c) The president or designee may grant permission to bring a weapon on campus upon a determination that the weapon is reasonably related to a legitimate pedagogical purpose. Such permission shall be in writing and shall be subject to such terms or conditions incorporated in the written permission.
(9) Hazing. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any initiation into a student organization or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student.
(10) Alcohol, drug, and tobacco violations.
(a) Alcohol. The use, possession, delivery, sale, or being visibly under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, except as permitted by law and applicable college policies.
(b) Marijuana. The use, possession, delivery, or sale of marijuana or the psychoactive compounds found in marijuana intended for human consumption, regardless of form, or being observably under the influence of marijuana or the psychoactive compounds found in marijuana and intended for human consumption, regardless of form. While state law permits the recreational use of marijuana, federal law prohibits such use on college premises or in connection with college activities.
(c) Drugs. The use, possession, delivery, sale, or being observably under the influence of any legend drug (including anabolic steroids, androgens, or human grown hormones), narcotic drug or controlled substance as defined in chapters 69.41 and 69.50 RCW, except in accordance with a lawful prescription for that student by a licensed health care professional.
(d) Tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and related products. The use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and related products in any building owned, leased, or operated by the college, or in any location where such use is prohibited, or in any location other than the parking lots, including twenty-five feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes of any building owned, leased or operated by the college. The use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and related products on the college campus is restricted to designated smoking areas.
"Related products" include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, pipes, bidi, clove cigarettes, waterpipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, vaporizers, and snuff.
(11) Disorderly conduct. Conduct which is disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene, that is not otherwise protected under the law.
(12) Discriminatory conduct. Conduct which harms or adversely affects any member of the college community because of race; color; national origin; sensory, mental or physical disability; use of a service animal; gender, including pregnancy; marital status; age (40+); religion; creed; sexual orientation; gender identity; veteran's status; or any other legally protected classification.
(13) Sexual misconduct. The term "sexual misconduct" includes sexual harassment, sexual intimidation, and sexual violence. Sexual harassment prohibited by Title IX is defined in the supplemental procedures to this code. See WAC 132R-04-103.
(a) Sexual harassment. The term "sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual or gender-based conduct ((of a sexual nature)), including unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, quid pro quo harassment, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual or a gendered nature that is sufficiently ((serious))severe, persistent, or pervasive as to:
(i) Deny or limit((, and that does deny or limit, based on sex,)) the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the college's educational programs or activities ((or that));
(ii) Alter the terms or conditions of employment for a college employee(s); and/or
(iii) Create((s)) an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other campus community members.
(b) Sexual intimidation. The term "sexual intimidation" incorporates the definition of sexual harassment and means threatening or emotionally distressing conduct based on sex. This includes, but is not limited to, nonconsensual recording of sexual activity or the distribution of such recording.
(c) Sexual violence. "Sexual violence" is a type of sexual discrimination and harassment. Nonconsensual sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual contact, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are all types of sexual violence.
(i) Nonconsensual sexual intercourse ((is)). Any actual or attempted sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object or body part, by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual intercourse includes anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or object, or oral copulation by mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact.
(ii) Nonconsensual sexual contact ((is)). Any ((intentional))actual or attempted sexual touching, however slight, with any object or body part, by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, mouth, or other bodily orifice of another individual, or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.
(iii) ((Domestic violence includes asserted violent misdemeanor and felony offenses committed by the victim's current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, person similarly situated under domestic or family violence law, or anyone else protected under domestic or family violence law.
(iv) Dating violence means violence by a person who has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Whether there was such relationship will be gauged by its length, type, and frequency of interaction.
(v) Stalking means intentional and repeated harassment or following of another person, which places that person in reasonable fear that the perpetrator intends to injure, intimidate, or harass that person. Stalking also includes instances where the perpetrator knows or reasonably should know that the person is frightened, intimidated, or harassed, even if the perpetrator lacks such intent.
(vi)))Incest. Sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person known to be related to them, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother, or sister of either wholly or half related. Descendant includes stepchildren, and adopted children under the age of eighteen.
(iv) Statutory rape. Consensual intercourse between a person who is eighteen years of age or older, and a person who is under the age of sixteen.
(v) Domestic violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, or by any other person against an adult or youth who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, RCW 26.50.010.
(vi) Dating violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person:
(A) Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
(B) Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
(I) The length of the relationship;
(II) The type of relationship; and
(III) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
(vii) Stalking. Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:
(A) Fear for their safety or the safety of others; or
(B) Suffer substantial emotional distress.
(viii) Consent((:)). Clear, knowing, and voluntary permission by word or action to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. Each party has the responsibility to make certain that the other has consented before engaging in the activity. For consent to be valid, there must be actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to the act at the time of the act. Consent cannot be inferred from silence, passivity, or lack of active resistance. Consent can be withdrawn by either party at any point. Consent to engage in one activity, or past agreement to engage in a particular activity, cannot be presumed to constitute consent to engage in a different activity or to engage in the same activity again. There is no consent where there is a threat of force or violence or any other form of coercion or intimidation, physical or psychological. A person cannot consent if they are unable to understand what is happening or are disoriented, or if they are asleep or unconscious for any reason, including due to alcohol or other drugs. An individual who engages in sexual activity when the individual knows, or should know, that the other person is physically or mentally incapable of consent has engaged in nonconsensual conduct. Intoxication is not a defense against allegations that an individual has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct.
(14) Harassment. Unwelcome and offensive conduct, including verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct, that is directed at a person because of such person's protected status and that is sufficiently serious as to deny or limit, and that does deny or limit, the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the college's educational program or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other campus community members. Protected status includes a person's race; color; national origin; sensory, mental or physical disability; use of a service animal; gender, including pregnancy; marital status; age (40+); religion; creed; sexual orientation; gender identity; veteran's status; or any other legally protected classification. See supplemental definitions: "Sexual misconduct" for the definition of "sexual harassment." Harassing conduct may include, but is not limited to, physical conduct, verbal, written, social media and electronic communications.
(15) Retaliation. Harming, threatening, intimidating, coercing, or taking adverse action of any kind against a person because such person reported an alleged violation of this code or college policy, provided information about an alleged violation, or participated as a witness or in any other capacity in a college investigation or disciplinary proceeding.
(16) Misuse of electronic resources. Theft or other misuse of computer time or other electronic information resources of the college. Such misuse includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Unauthorized use of such resources or opening of a file, message, or other item;
(b) Unauthorized duplication, transfer, or distribution of a computer program, file, message, or other item;
(c) Unauthorized use or distribution of someone else's password or other identification;
(d) Use of such time or resources to interfere with someone else's work;
(e) Use of such time or resources to send, display, or print an obscene or abusive message, text, or image;
(f) Use of such time or resources to interfere with normal operation of the college's computing system or other electronic information resources;
(g) Use of such time or resources in violation of applicable copyright or other law;
(h) Adding to or otherwise altering the infrastructure of the college's electronic information resources without authorization; or
(i) Failure to comply with the college's electronic use policy.
(17) Unauthorized access. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or other use of a key, keycard, or other restricted means of access to college property, or unauthorized entry onto or into college property.
(18) Safety violations. Safety violation includes any nonaccidental conduct that interferes with or otherwise compromises any college policy, equipment, or procedure relating to the safety and security of the campus community, including tampering with fire safety equipment and triggering false alarms or other emergency response systems.
(19) Abuse of process. Abuse or misuse of any of the procedures relating to student complaints or misconduct including, but not limited to:
(a) Failure to obey a subpoena or order to appear at a hearing;
(b) Falsification or misrepresentation of information;
(c) Disruption, or interference with the orderly conduct, of a proceeding;
(d) Interfering with someone else's proper participation in a proceeding;
(e) Destroying or altering potential evidence, or attempting to intimidate or otherwise improperly pressure a witness or potential witness;
(f) Attempting to influence the impartiality of, or harassing or intimidating, a student disciplinary committee member; or
(g) Failure to comply with any disciplinary sanction(s) imposed under this student conduct code.
(20) Unsafe vehicle operation. Operation of any motor vehicle on college property in an unsafe manner or in a manner which is reasonably perceived as threatening the health or safety of another person.
(21) Violation of other laws or policies. Violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation or other college rules or policies, including college traffic and parking rules.
(22) Ethical violation. The breach of any generally recognized and published code of ethics or standards of professional practice that governs the conduct of a particular profession for which the student is taking a course or is pursuing as an educational goal or major.
(23) Aiding or abetting. Aiding, abetting, inciting, encouraging, or assisting another person to commit any of the foregoing acts of misconduct.
In addition to initiating discipline proceedings for violation of the student conduct code, the college may refer any violations of federal, state or local laws to civil and criminal authorities for disposition. The college shall proceed with student disciplinary proceedings regardless of whether the underlying conduct is subject to civil or criminal prosecution.
OTS-2512.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-300Order of precedence.
This supplemental procedure applies to allegations of sexual harassment subject to Title IX jurisdiction pursuant to regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Education. See 34 C.F.R. Part 106. To the extent these supplemental hearing procedures conflict with the college's standard disciplinary procedures, WAC 132R-04-010 through 132R-04-200, these supplemental procedures shall take precedence.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-305Prohibited conduct under Title IX.
Pursuant to RCW 28B.50.140(13) and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, the college may impose disciplinary sanctions against a student who commits, attempts to commit, or aids, abets, incites, encourages, or assists another person to commit, an act(s) of "sexual harassment."
For purposes of this supplemental procedure, "sexual harassment" encompasses the following conduct:
(1) Quid pro quo harassment. A college employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the college on an individual's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
(2) Hostile environment. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the college's educational programs or activities, or employment.
(3) Sexual assault. Sexual assault includes the following conduct:
(a) Nonconsensual sexual intercourse. Any actual or attempted sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object or body part, by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual intercourse includes anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or object, or oral copulation by mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact.
(b) Nonconsensual sexual contact. Any actual or attempted sexual touching, however slight, with any body part or object, by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, mouth, or other bodily orifice of another individual, or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.
(c) Incest. Sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person known to be related to them, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother, or sister of either wholly or half related. Descendant includes stepchildren and adopted children under the age of eighteen.
(d) Statutory rape. Consensual sexual intercourse between someone who is eighteen years of age or older and someone who is under the age of sixteen.
(4) Domestic violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, RCW 26.50.010.
(5) Dating violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person:
(a) Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
(b) Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
(i) The length of the relationship;
(ii) The type of relationship; and
(iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
(6) Stalking. Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-310Title IX jurisdiction.
(1) This supplemental procedure applies only if the alleged misconduct:
(a) Occurred in the United States;
(b) Occurred during a college educational program or activity; and
(c) Meets the definition of sexual harassment as that term is defined in this supplemental procedure.
(2) For purposes of this supplemental procedure, an "educational program or activity" is defined as locations, events, or circumstances over which the college exercised substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the alleged sexual harassment occurred. This definition includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the college.
(3) Proceedings under this supplemental procedure must be dismissed if the decision maker determines that one or all of the requirements of subsection (1)(a) through (c) of this section have not been met. Dismissal under this supplemental procedure does not prohibit the college from pursuing other disciplinary action based on allegations that the respondent violated other provisions of the college's student conduct code, WAC 132R-04-010 through 132R-04-200.
(4) If the student conduct officer determines the facts in the investigation report are not sufficient to support Title IX jurisdiction and/or pursuit of a Title IX violation, the student conduct officer will issue a notice of dismissal in whole or part to both parties explaining why some or all of the Title IX claims have been dismissed.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-315Initiation of discipline.
(1) Upon receiving the Title IX investigation report from the Title IX coordinator, the student conduct officer will independently review the report to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to pursue a disciplinary action against the respondent for engaging in prohibited conduct under Title IX.
(2) If the student conduct officer determines that there are sufficient grounds to proceed under these supplemental procedures, the student conduct officer will initiate a Title IX disciplinary proceeding by filing a written disciplinary notice with the chair of the student conduct committee and serving the notice on the respondent and the complainant, and their respective advisors. The notice must:
(a) Set forth the basis for Title IX jurisdiction;
(b) Identify the alleged Title IX violation(s);
(c) Set forth the facts underlying the allegation(s);
(d) Identify the range of possible sanctions that may be imposed if the respondent is found responsible for the alleged violation(s); and
(e) Explain that the parties are entitled to be accompanied by their chosen advisors during the hearing and that:
(i) The advisors will be responsible for questioning all witnesses on the party's behalf;
(ii) An advisor may be an attorney; and
(iii) The college will appoint the party an advisor of the college's choosing at no cost to the party, if the party fails to do so.
(3) Explain that if a party fails to appear at the hearing, a decision of responsibility may be made in their absence.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-320Prehearing procedure.
(1) Upon receiving the disciplinary notice, the chair of the student conduct committee will send a hearing notice to all parties, in compliance with WAC 132R-04-130. In no event will the hearing date be set less than ten days after the Title IX coordinator provided the final investigation report to the parties.
(2) A party may choose to have an attorney serve as their advisor at the party's own expense. This right will be waived unless, at least five days before the hearing, the attorney files a notice of appearance with the committee chair with copies to all parties and the student conduct officer.
(3) In preparation for the hearing, the parties will have equal access to all evidence gathered by the investigator during the investigation, regardless of whether the college intends to offer the evidence at the hearing.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-325Rights of parties.
(1) The college's student conduct procedures, WAC 132R-04-010 through 132R-04-200, and this supplemental procedure shall apply equally to all parties.
(2) The college bears the burden of offering and presenting sufficient testimony and evidence to establish that the respondent is responsible for a Title IX violation by a preponderance of the evidence.
(3) The respondent will be presumed not responsible until such time as the disciplinary process has been finally resolved.
(4) During the hearing, each party shall be represented by an advisor. The parties are entitled to an advisor of their own choosing and the advisor may be an attorney. If a party does not choose an advisor, then the Title IX coordinator will appoint an advisor of the college's choosing on the party's behalf at no expense to the party.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-330Evidence.
The introduction and consideration of evidence during the hearing is subject to the following procedures and restrictions:
(1) Relevance: The committee chair shall review all questions for relevance and shall explain on the record their reasons for excluding any question based on lack of relevance.
(2) Relevance means that information elicited by the question makes facts in dispute more or less likely to be true.
(3) Questions or evidence about a complainant's sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant and must be excluded, unless such question or evidence:
(a) Is asked or offered to prove someone other than the respondent committed the alleged misconduct; or
(b) Concerns specific incidents of prior sexual behavior between the complainant and the respondent, which are asked or offered on the issue of consent.
(4) Cross-examination required: If a party or witness does not submit to cross-examination during the live hearing, the committee must not rely on any statement by that party or witness in reaching a determination of responsibility.
(5) No negative inference: The committee may not make an inference regarding responsibility solely on a witness's or party's absence from the hearing or refusal to answer questions.
(6) Privileged evidence: The committee shall not consider legally privileged information unless the holder has effectively waived the privilege. Privileged information includes, but is not limited to, information protected by the following:
(a) Spousal/domestic partner privilege;
(b) Attorney-client and attorney work product privileges;
(c) Privileges applicable to members of the clergy and priests;
(d) Privileges applicable to medical providers, mental health therapists, and counselors;
(e) Privileges applicable to sexual assault and domestic violence advocates; and
(f) Other legal privileges identified in RCW 5.60.060.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-335Initial order.
(1) In addition to complying with WAC 132R-04-140, the student conduct committee will be responsible for conferring and drafting an initial order that:
(a) Identifies the allegations of sexual harassment;
(b) Describes the grievance and disciplinary procedures, starting with filing of the formal complaint through the determination of responsibility, including notices to parties, interviews with witnesses and parties, site visits, methods used to gather evidence, and hearings held;
(c) Makes findings of fact supporting the determination of responsibility;
(d) Reaches conclusions as to whether the facts establish whether the respondent is responsible for engaging in sexual harassment in violation of Title IX;
(e) Contains a statement of, and rationale for, the committee's determination of responsibility for each allegation;
(f) Describes any disciplinary sanction or conditions imposed against the respondent, if any;
(g) Describes to what extent, if any, complainant is entitled to remedies designed to restore or preserve complainant's equal access to the college's education programs or activities; and
(h) Describes the process for appealing the initial order to the college president.
(2) The committee chair will serve the initial order on the parties simultaneously.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132R-04-340Appeals.
(1) The parties shall have the right to appeal from the initial order's determination of responsibility and/or dismissal of an allegation(s) of sexual harassment in a formal complaint. The right to appeal will be subject to the same procedures and time frames set forth in WAC 132R-04-150.
(2) The president or their delegate will determine whether the grounds for appeal have merit, provide the rationale for this conclusion, and state whether the disciplinary sanction and condition(s) imposed in the initial order are affirmed, vacated, or amended, and, if amended, set forth any new disciplinary sanction and/or condition(s).
(3) President's office shall serve the final decision on the parties simultaneously.