(1) Conduct review officer – Authority.

(a) The conduct review officer will hear a respondent's appeal of disciplinary action imposing a conduct reprimand, conduct probation, or conduct suspension not in excess of ten days.

(b) In a proceeding involving sexual misconduct allegations, the conduct review officer will hear a complainant's appeal of disciplinary action dismissing the sexual misconduct allegations or imposing, with respect to such allegations, a conduct reprimand, conduct probation, or conduct suspension not in excess of ten days.

(c) The conduct review officer shall have the same authority as the student conduct officer to dismiss a proceeding, to impose a disciplinary sanction of conduct reprimand, conduct probation, or conduct suspension not in excess of ten days, or to refer the matter for disciplinary action by the student conduct committee.

(2) Appeal hearing. Appeals heard by the conduct review officer will be conducted as informal administrative hearings consistent with the rules for "brief adjudicative proceedings" under RCW 34.05.482 and WAC 132Z-108-050. The review officer shall provide each party an opportunity to explain the party's view of the matter.

(3) Initial decision – Service.

(a) Within ten days of consideration of the appeal, the conduct review officer will serve an initial decision upon the respondent, the student conduct officer, and any complainant in a proceeding involving sexual misconduct allegations. The initial decision will explain the reasons for the decision and will provide notice of any right to request further administrative review.

(b) In a proceeding involving sexual misconduct allegations, the initial decision will explain the reasons for modifying any disciplinary action taken with respect to such allegations. The copy of the decision provided to a complainant will be redacted as needed to exclude any confidential student information not relating to the sexual misconduct allegations.

(c) A decision by the conduct review officer to refer the appeal to the student conduct committee is not subject to further administrative review.

(4) Initial decision – Request for review. The respondent (or any complainant) may request administrative review of the initial decision by filing a written request for review with the vice president within twenty-one days of service of the initial decision. If no request for review is filed, the initial decision of the conduct review officer shall be final.