WSR 26-15-105
PROPOSED RULES
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
[Filed July 20, 2026, 2:21 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-09-074.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 478-124 WAC, General conduct code for the University of Washington (university).
Hearing Location(s): On August 25, 2026, at 10:00-11:00 a.m., at the University of Washington, Gerberding Hall, Room 142, Seattle, Washington.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 9, 2026.
Submit Written Comments to: Barbara Lechtanski, Director and Rules Coordinator, University Policy and Rules Office, Box 351237, Seattle, WA 98195, email rules@uw.edu, beginning August 5, 2026, 8:00 a.m. PST [PDT], by August 25, 2026, 11:00 a.m. PST [PDT].
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact disability services office, phone 206-543-6450, fax 206-685-7264, TTY 206-543-6452, email dso@uw.edu, by August 11, 2026.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The university is proposing amendments to chapter 478-124 WAC, Conduct on campus code, to update and clarify the university's general conduct regulations applicable to individuals on university property. The proposed amendments revise prohibited conduct provisions, sanctions, hazing requirements, and interim suspension procedures; update terminology and cross-references; remove outdated language; and improve the organization and readability of the chapter.
The proposal also aligns the general code of conduct with related amendments to the student conduct code (chapter 478-121 WAC), incorporates changes reflecting current university operations and applicable state and federal laws, and provides greater consistency in the administration and application of the university's conduct regulations.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The university is proposing these amendments to improve consistency between the general code of conduct and the student conduct code, clarify the conduct standards and procedures that apply on university property, and ensure that the regulations accurately reflect current university operations and disciplinary processes.
The proposed revisions also strengthen compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, improve administrative efficiency, eliminate outdated or duplicative provisions, and provide clearer guidance for members of the university community and university officials responsible for administering and enforcing the regulations.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.20.130.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28B.20.130.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: University of Washington, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Denzil Suite, Vice President for Student Life, University of Washington, Room 101, Gerberding Hall, Seattle, Washington, 206-543-4972.
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. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to the university, and the university has not voluntarily decided to apply it.
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(4).
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
July 20, 2026
Barbara Lechtanski, Director
University Policy and Rules Office
RDS-7302.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 72-7, filed 11/30/72)
WAC 478-124-010Conduct on campus codeGeneral policy.
It is the policy of the University of Washington to support and promote each individual's right to express ((his)) views and opinions for or against actions or ideas in which ((he))the individual has an interest, to associate freely with others, and to assemble peacefully.
The above rights exist in equal measure for each member of the university community. They exist regardless of the professional stature or rank of the individual and regardless of the degree of acceptability among others of the views or opinions advocated.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 13-14-002, filed 6/19/13, effective 7/20/13)
WAC 478-124-020Conduct on campus codeProhibited conduct.
(1) In order to safeguard the right of every citizen to criticize and to seek meaningful change, each individual has an obligation to respect the rights of all members of the university community.
(2) In order to assure those rights to all members of the university community and to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in which the university may continue to make its special contribution to society, the following types of conduct are hereby prohibited on or in property either owned, controlled, or operated by the university which is used or set aside for university purposes, hereinafter referred to as the university campus:
(a) Conduct which intentionally and substantially obstructs or disrupts teaching or freedom of movement or other lawful activities on the university campus;
(b) Physical abuse of any person or conduct which is intended unlawfully to threaten imminent bodily harm or to endanger the health or safety of any person on the university campus;
(c) ((Malicious))Intentional or reckless damage to or ((malicious)) misuse of university property, or the property of any person where such property is located on the university campus;
(d) Refusal to comply with any lawful order to leave the university campus or any portion thereof;
(e) Possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or other dangerous weapons or instrumentalities on the university campus, except for authorized university purposes, unless prior written approval has been obtained from the university chief of police, or any other person designated by the president of the university;
(f) The possession, use, distribution, or manufacture of controlled substances (as defined in chapter 69.50 RCW or Title 21 U.S.C. Sec. 802), or of alcohol, on the university campus or during university-sponsored activities, where such possession, use, distribution, or manufacture is illegal under federal, state, or local law;
(g) Intentionally inciting others to engage immediately in any of the conduct prohibited herein, which incitement leads directly to such conduct. (Inciting is that advocacy which prepares the group addressed for imminent action and steels it to the conduct prohibited herein.)
(h) Doxing, which includes the unauthorized publication of another individual's personal identifying information when the following conditions are met:
(i) The person has not consented to publication of their personal identifying information;
(ii) The publication is made with the intent or knowledge that the information will be used to harm the individual whose information is published, or with reckless disregard for the risk the information will be used to harm the individual whose information is published; and
(iii) The publication causes the person to suffer physical injury, significant economic injury, mental anguish, fear of serious bodily injury or death for themselves or a close relation, or substation life disruption. Doxing does not include legally protected conduct that falls within one of the exceptions contained in RCW 4.24.792.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 17-15-068, filed 7/14/17, effective 8/18/17)
WAC 478-124-030Conduct on campus codeSanctions.
(1) Any person while on the university campus who willfully refuses the request of a uniformed campus police officer to desist from conduct prohibited by these rules may be required by such officer to leave such premises.
(2) Disciplinary action which may result in ((dismissal from the))termination of university employment will be initiated against ((faculty, staff, or students))employees who violate these rules, in accordance with the disciplinary process applicable ((disciplinary codes or other appropriate due process procedures))to their employment program.
(3) ((Sanctions which may be imposed against faculty are set forth in the Faculty Code, Chapter 25, Sections 25-51 and 25-71.
(4))) Sanctions which may be imposed against students or student organizations are set forth in chapter 478-121 WAC ((478-121-210.
(5) Sanctions which may be imposed against the classified staff are set forth in the relevant University of Washington labor contract for contract-classified staff, and in Title 357 WAC and applicable university policy for classified nonunion staff.
(6) Sanctions which may be imposed against the professional staff are set forth in the University of Washington Professional Staff Program.
(7))). Chapter 478-121 WAC also establishes the due process procedures that must be followed before sanctions are imposed.
(4) Violation of any of the above regulations may also constitute violation of the criminal laws or ordinances of the city, the county, the state of Washington, or the United States and may subject a violator to criminal sanctions in addition to any sanctions imposed by the university.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-09-105, filed 4/16/20, effective 5/17/20)
WAC 478-124-037Conduct on campus codeHazing.
All students, student organizations, athletic teams, and living groups are prohibited from participating in hazing.
(1) Hazing includes:
(a) Conduct associated with recruitment, initiation ((or)), pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm to any student or other person. ((This conduct))Hazing includes, but is not limited to, subjecting a person to risk of the harms just mentioned, regardless of the person's willingness, through embarrassment, ridicule, sleep deprivation, verbal abuse, personal humiliation, or through causing, directing, coercing, or forcing another to participate in:
(i) Humiliation by ritual act;
(ii) Striking oneself or another person whether by use of any object or any part of one's body;
(iii) Causing someone to experience excessive fatigue or physical and/or psychological shock;
(iv) Causing someone to engage in degrading or humiliating games or activities ((that create a risk of serious psychological, emotional, and/or physical harm)); or
(v) Encouraging or promoting the ((unlawful possession, forced or coerced use, or competitive or ritualistic))excessive consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances including competitive or ritualistic consumption.
(b) Hazing also includes conduct that is not a violation of (a) of this subsection associated with recruitment, initiation ((or)), pledging, admission into a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement ((engaged in)) with respect to a student organization, athletic team, or living group, such as:
(i) Subtle hazing: Activities or situations created that emphasize a direct or indirect power imbalance between members. This includes, but is not limited to, physical or mental manipulation, or causing ((someone))a person to believe that ((they))that person may be required to participate in degrading or humiliating games or activities that create psychological, emotional, or physical harm;
(ii) Harassment hazing: Activities that cause confusion, frustration, or physical discomfort that are directly or indirectly required, in order to become or remain a member of the student organization, athletic team, or living group. This includes, but is not limited to, sleep deprivation, verbal abuse, or being expected to harass others; or
(iii) Interference hazing: Activities that do not allow reasonably adequate time for study or that otherwise unreasonably interferes with academic obligations.
(2) Hazing does not include customary athletic or cultural events or other similar contests or competitions.
(3) Consent is not a defense to hazing.
(4) ((Any student organization or student living group that knowingly permits hazing as defined in subsection (1)(a) of this section shall be deprived of official recognition, approval, or registration granted by the university. Any student organization or living group that knowingly permits hazing as defined in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall either be deprived of official recognition, approval, or registration or be placed on disciplinary probation for a period specified by the university.
(5))) Students found responsible for violations of WAC 478-121-135 shall forfeit any entitlement to state funded grants, scholarships, or awards for a specified period of time determined by the university.
(5) A person who witnesses hazing or has reasonable cause to believe hazing has occurred or will occur and makes a report in good faith may not be sanctioned or punished for the violation of hazing unless the person is directly engaged in the planning, directing, or act of hazing reported.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 14-17-097, filed 8/19/14, effective 9/19/14)
WAC 478-124-040Conduct on campus code—Interim suspension.
(1) The president or, in ((his or her))their absence, any officer of the university designated by the president for this purpose, may impose on any student, faculty member, or staff member an interim suspension whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that such person has committed, and may reasonably be expected thereafter to commit, any of the acts prohibited herein and there exists a substantial and material threat to the health or safety of the university community or the orderly operation of the university. The process for imposing an interim suspension on a student is set forth in WAC 478-121-237. All other interim suspensions shall follow the process set forth below. ((The notice of such suspension shall state the nature, terms and conditions of such suspension and shall include such restrictions on use of campus facilities as the president or his designee deems in the best interest of the university.))
(2) Any person ((so)) placed on interim suspension shall be given prompt written notice ((of charges and)). The notice shall state the nature, terms, and conditions of such suspension and shall include such restrictions on use of campus facilities as the president or their designee deems in the best interest of the university.
(3) Any person placed on interim suspension shall be given the opportunity to show cause at a preliminary hearing why such interim suspension should not continue until a formal hearing is held. To obtain such preliminary hearing, the person shall submit a written request ((therefor)) within seven days from the date the interim suspension was imposed. Such written request shall state the address to which notice of hearing is to be sent. The president or, in ((his or her))their absence, any officer of the university designated by the president, shall grant such a preliminary hearing before a person or persons designated by the president not later than four days from the date of receipt of such request and shall immediately mail a written notice of the time, place, and date of such hearing to such person. The preliminary hearing shall consider only whether there is reasonable cause to believe that such person committed, and may reasonably be expected thereafter to commit, any of the acts prohibited herein.
(((3)))(4) Interim suspension may be removed by the president or, in ((his or her))their absence, by any officer of the university designated by the president, whenever the president has reason to believe that the person on whom interim suspension was imposed will not constitute a substantial and material threat to the orderly operation of the university campus or endanger the health and safety of any person thereon.