PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 02-03-104.
Title of Rule: Discrimination complaint procedure.
Purpose: This is an amendment to the discrimination complaint procedure extending its purview to the general public who participate in activities held on the college campus.
Other Identifying Information: WAC 132H-152-135.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 42.30.075.
Summary: The discrimination compliant procedure advises students, employees and the general public who they may contact when they believe they have been the victim of discrimination, what steps must be taken to register the complaint and establishes timelines for the college's response. It also identifies other state and federal agencies to which one may address a complaint.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The Office of Civil Rights has requested that Bellevue Community College extend its policy to pertain to the general public when they are using college facilities.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Lucy Macneil, A101, (425) 564-2445.
Name of Proponent: Bellevue Community College, public.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The discrimination complaint procedure provides a way for people to seek redress who feel they have suffered discrimination by an employee of Bellevue Community College or while on the college campus.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: This amendment expands the scope of the current discrimination complaint procedure to include members of the general public who feel they have suffered discrimination while on the Bellevue Community College campus.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed amendment has no impact on small business.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule applies only to internal college regulations.
Hearing Location: Bellevue Community College, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Room A101, Bellevue, WA 98007-6484, on May 7, 2002, at 9:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Susan Gjomesli by May 1, 2002, TDD (425) 564-4110, or (425) 564-2498.
Submit Written Comments to: Lucy Macneil, Bellevue Community College, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, WA 98007-6484, fax (425) 564-2445, by May 5, 2002.
Date of Intended Adoption: June 4, 2002.
April 2, 2002
Elise J. Erickson
Rules Coordinator
All members of Bellevue Community College are responsible for ensuring that their conduct does not discriminate against any other member of the college community. If administrators or supervisors become aware that discrimination is occurring, receive a complaint, or obtain other information indicating possible discrimination, they must notify the vice president of human resources as soon as reasonably possible, to ensure that the matter is addressed, even if the problem or alleged problem is not within their area of responsibility and authority.
These procedures pertain to currently registered students,
college employees, ((and)) applicants for admission and
employment, and members of the public participating in college
activities or events held in Bellevue Community College
facilities. Complaints should be filed within one year after the
incident(s) which form(s) the basis of the complaint occurred. This procedure takes precedence over all other student complaint
procedures whenever the complaint alleges discrimination or
sexual harassment.
Section I: Process overview. Any Bellevue Community College student, employee, or applicant who feels that he/she has been discriminated against, is encouraged to bring his/her concerns to the attention of the college for assistance.
Complaints may be filed with the dean of student services or the vice president of human resources. All allegations of sexual harassment will be referred to the vice president of human resources. All allegations of discrimination related to employment or promotion will be referred to the dean of student services.
The college will act promptly to investigate any complaint. Such action will attempt to protect the rights of the individual bringing the complaint (the complainant), the alleged discriminator, and any witnesses involved, including the right to protection from any retaliating behavior by the alleged discriminator or any college employee. All complaints shall be kept as confidential as is reasonably possible during the investigation/resolution process. However, all complaints may be subject to public disclosure under the state's Public Disclosure Act, and therefore the college cannot assure confidentiality to any participant in the process.
An individual who seeks assistance because he/she believes he/she is being discriminated against may choose to begin with the informal or formal complaint procedure. Use of the informal procedure is not required prior to initiating a formal complaint.
Both complainants and individuals charged may be represented by an individual of their selection throughout the complaint process. The individual charged will be informed that his/her bargaining unit representative will be notified that a complaint has been filed against her/him, unless she/he requests that no notification be made.
Section II: Informal complaint procedure. The purpose of the informal procedure is to resolve the complaint by achieving a resolution that both the complainant and the accused discriminator agree upon.
An informal complaint may be filed with the dean of student services or the vice president of human resources, as indicated in Section I. That college administrator will investigate the complaint or will appoint a designee to investigate the complaint. Within five working days after the complaint is filed, the investigator will discuss the complaint with the individual charged, that person's supervisor and area dean/vice president, and initiate action to protect the complainant from harm or reprisal. The investigator will meet separately with the complainant and the individual charged to outline the proposed resolution process.
The investigator, after consultation with the appropriate area dean/vice president, will attempt to obtain a resolution of the problem between the parties and will inform the complainant of any proposed resolution. The complainant may either accept the resolution or initiate a formal complaint. If the investigator has not been able to achieve a resolution, he/she will inform the complainant of this and advise the complainant of the option of filing a formal complaint.
Reasonable efforts will be made to complete the informal process within thirty working days after the complaint is filed.
If the investigation and/or resolution indicate that disciplinary action is warranted, the investigator will recommend appropriate disciplinary action which is consistent with college procedure and collective bargaining agreements, as appropriate.
Section III: Formal complaint procedure. The complainant may choose to file a formal complaint instead of first filing an informal complaint. In addition, the complainant may choose to file a formal complaint if a satisfactory resolution cannot be obtained through the informal process. The formal complaint must be made in writing and should include the times, dates, places, and circumstances surrounding the allegation of discrimination. The formal complaint should be filed with the vice president of human resources. Within five working days after the formal complaint has been filed, the individual charged in the complaint, his/her immediate supervisor and area dean/vice president will be notified that a complaint has been filed. Complainants, individuals charged, and any witnesses are entitled to representation throughout the complaint process.
The dean of student services/vice president of human resources will investigate the complaint or assign a designee to investigate the complaint as follows:
(1) The investigator will conduct an interview with the complainant and any witnesses to the complainant's allegations. Reasonable efforts will be made to complete such interviews within ten working days.
(2) After the completion of step 1 above, the investigator will interview the alleged discriminator and any witnesses to the alleged discriminator's allegations. Reasonable efforts will be made to complete such interviews within ten working days after the completion of step 1.
(3) After the completion of the investigation, a preliminary report summarizing the findings of the investigation and the investigator's determination as to whether or not discrimination has occurred shall be produced, after consultation with the appropriate area dean/vice president. Reasonable efforts will be made to complete the preliminary report within ten working days after completion of the investigation. Copies of this draft report shall be given to the complainant and the alleged discriminator who shall have ten working days to prepare responses to the report. Once each of them has prepared a response, or declined to take advantage of the opportunity to respond to the draft report, the investigator shall prepare the final report. Copies of the final report shall be provided the complainant, the alleged discriminator, the alleged discriminator's supervisor and area dean/vice president, the dean of student services if the alleged discriminator is a student, the vice president of human resources, and the college president.
(4) The decision regarding what action to take on the complaint, including, but not limited to, appropriate corrective measures and/or disciplinary action, remanding the complaint for further investigation, appointing an alternate investigator, shall be made by the president or his/her designee. Reasonable efforts will be made to take action on the complaint within thirty days after receipt of the report.
(5) If a decision is made to take disciplinary action, such action shall be taken in accordance with appropriate college procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
Section IV: Appeal process.
(1) Appeal of disciplinary action. Appeals of any disciplinary action, including any finding that discrimination occurred, may be made through college procedures, as defined by the appropriate employee contract or student policy.
(2) Complainant appeal. If the complainant is not satisfied with the disposition of the complaint, s/he may file a written request for reconsideration to the president within ten working days after notification of the disposition of the complaint. This request should include any and all additional information s/he wants the president to consider.
The decision regarding what action to take regarding the request for reconsideration, including appropriate corrective measures, shall be made in writing by the president within fifteen working days after receipt of a request for reconsideration.
Section V: External complaint process. Any registered student, employee, or applicant for admission or employment, who believes he/she has been discriminated against has the right to bypass the internal college process (sections I through III, above) and file a discrimination complaint with one of the agencies listed below or any other agency with the jurisdiction to hear such complaints. Other individuals who believe they have been discriminated against by college action may file a discrimination complaint with one of the agencies listed below or any other agency with the jurisdiction to hear such complaints:
| Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | |
| 909 First Avenue, Suite 400 | |
| Seattle, WA 98104-1061 |
|
| Human Rights Commission | |
| 1511 Third Avenue, Suite 921 | |
| Seattle, WA 98101 |
|
| U.S. Office of Civil Rights | |
| Department of Education | |
| 915 Second Avenue | |
| Seattle, WA 98174-1099 |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140. 96-01-057, § 132H-152-135, filed 12/15/95, effective 1/15/96.]
Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.