[Filed March 29, 2021, 9:07 a.m., effective April 29, 2021]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: The college's code of student rights and responsibilities were last updated in February 2012. The college made changes to the student conduct rules to update them for compliance with current best practices. In addition, the Department of Education (DOE) issued updated Title IX rules which took effect August 14, 2020. The updated rules incorporate new Supplemental Title IX student conduct code requirements that necessitate South Puget Sound Community College amend and supplement chapter 132X-60 WAC, code of student rights and responsibilities rules to remain in compliance with the updated DOE requirements. A related WAC in chapter 132X-90 WAC (WAC 132X-90-040) is being updated to best practices. Several WAC are being repealed as part of the update.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New general student conduct code, WAC 132X-60-005, 132X-60-011, 132X-60-109, 132X-60-115, 132X-60-155, 132X-60-165, 132-60-175, 132X-60-185, 132X-60-190 and 132X-60-195; Supplemental Title IX Procedures, WAC 132X-60-200, 132X-60-210, 132X-60-220, 132X-60-230, 132X-60-240, 132X-60-250, 132X-60-260, 132X-60-270 and 132X-60-280; repealing WAC 132X-60-010, 132X-60-030, 132X-60-035, 132X-60-037, 132X-60-040, 132X-60-045, 132X-60-046, 132X-60-050, 132X-60-060, 132X-60-065, 132X-60-070, 132X-60-080, 132X-60-160 and 132X-60-170; and amending WAC 132X-60-015, 132X-60-020, 132X-60-090, 132X-60-100, 132X-60-105, 132X-60-120, 132X-60-140, and 132X-90-040.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 34.05 RCW; and RCW 28B.50.140(13); 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 21-01-177 on December 21, 2020.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 9, Amended 1, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 10, Amended 7, Repealed 14.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 19, Amended 8, Repealed 14.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: February 9, 2021.

Dr. Timothy S. Stokes

WAC 132X-60-005Authority.

The board of trustees, acting pursuant to RCW 28B.50.140(13), delegates to the president of the college the authority to administer disciplinary action. Administration of the disciplinary procedures is the responsibility of the vice president of student affairs or their designee. Unless otherwise specified, the student conduct officer or delegee shall serve as the principal investigator and administrator for alleged violations of this code.

WAC 132X-60-011Statement of student rights.

As members of the academic community, students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in an independent search for truth. Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students should exercise their freedom with responsibility. The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the college community.

The following enumerated rights are guaranteed to each student within the limitations of statutory law and college policy, which are deemed necessary to achieve the educational goals of the college:

(1) Academic freedom.

(a) Students are guaranteed the rights of free inquiry, expression, and assembly upon and within college facilities that are generally open and available to the public.

(b) Students are free to pursue appropriate educational objectives from among the college's curricula, programs, and services, subject to the limitations of RCW 28B.50.090 (3)(b).

(c) Students shall be protected from academic evaluation which is arbitrary, prejudiced, or capricious, but are responsible for meeting the standards of academic performance established by each of their instructors.

(d) Students have the right to a learning environment which is free from unlawful discrimination, inappropriate and disrespectful conduct, and any and all harassment, including sexual harassment.

(2) Due process.

(a) The rights of students to be secure in their persons, quarters, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures is guaranteed.

(b) No disciplinary sanction may be imposed on any student without notice to the accused of the nature of the charges.

(c) A student accused of violating this code of student conduct is entitled, upon request, to procedural due process as set forth in this chapter.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-60-015Definitions.

((As used in this Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities the following words and phrases shall mean:

(1) Associated student body (ASB) SPSCC senate means the representative governing body for students, also referred to as student government, at South Puget Sound Community College recognized by the board of trustees.

(2) Assembly means any overt activity engaged in by two or more persons, the object of which is to gain publicity, advocate a view, petition for a cause or disseminate information to any person, persons or group of persons.

(3) Board means the board of trustees of South Puget Sound Community College District 24, state of Washington.

(4) College means South Puget Sound Community College, District 24.

(5) College facilities means and includes any or all real and personal property owned or operated by the college and shall include all buildings and appurtenances affixed thereon or attached thereto.

(6) College personnel refers to any person employed by Community College District 24 on a full-time or part-time basis.

(7) Disciplinary action means and includes dismissal or any lesser sanction of any student by the vice president for student services, the student judicial board, or the college president for the violation of any of the provisions of the code of student rights and responsibilities for which such sanctions may be imposed.

(a) The college president or designee shall have the authority to take any disciplinary action including the authority to suspend any student of the college for a period not to exceed ten academic calendar days.

(b) The college president or designee shall have the authority to take any disciplinary action including the authority to dismiss any student of the college.

(8) District means Community College District 24, state of Washington.

(9) Hazing includes any method of initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending the college. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.

(10) Initiation means the ceremonies or rites by which a person is admitted into a club, organization, or living group not amounting to hazing. Initiation conduct may include embarrassments, ridicule, sleep deprivation, verbal abuse or personal humiliation.

(11) President means the duly appointed chief executive officer of South Puget Sound Community College, District 24, state of Washington, or in his/her absence, the designee.

(12) Recognized student organization means and includes any group or organization composed of students which is recognized formally by the college.

(13) A sponsored event or activity means any activity that is scheduled by the college or a recognized student organization and is supervised and controlled by college personnel. Such sponsorship shall continue only as long as the event is supervised and controlled by college personnel. When the sponsored event or activity is of a prolonged nature, and free time periods are permitted to the students participating in the event, any activity taking place during such a free time period outside of the supervision and control of college personnel responsible for the event or activity shall be deemed to be a nonsponsored activity.

(14) Student, unless otherwise qualified, means and includes any person who is enrolled for classes.))The following definitions shall apply for purpose of this student conduct code:

(1) "Business day" means a weekday, excluding weekends and college holidays.

(2) "College premises" shall include all campuses of the college, wherever located, and includes all land, buildings, facilities, vehicles, equipment, and other property owned, used, or controlled by the college.

(3) "Complainant" is an alleged victim of sexual misconduct.

(4) "Conduct review officer" is the vice president for student services or other college administrator designated by the president to be responsible for receiving and for reviewing or referring appeals of student disciplinary actions in accordance with the procedures of this code.

(5) "Disciplinary action" is the process by which the student conduct officer imposes discipline against a student for a violation of the student conduct code.

(6) "Disciplinary appeal" is the process by which an aggrieved student can appeal the discipline imposed by the student conduct officer. Disciplinary appeals from a suspension in excess of ten instructional days or an expulsion are heard by the student conduct appeals board. Appeals of all other appealable disciplinary action shall be reviewed through brief adjudicative proceedings. See 132X-60-105 for a general overview of appeals process.

(7) "Filing" is the process by which a document is officially delivered to a college official responsible for facilitating a disciplinary review. Unless otherwise provided, filing shall be accomplished by:

(a) Hand delivery of the document to the specified college official or college official's assistant; or

(b) By sending the document by email and first class mail to the specified college official's office and college email address.

Papers required to be filed shall be deemed filed upon actual receipt during office hours at the office of the specified college official.

(8) "Respondent" is the student against whom disciplinary action is initiated.

(9) "Service" is the process by which a document is officially delivered to a party. Unless otherwise provided, service upon a party shall be accomplished by:

(a) Hand delivery of the document to the party; or

(b) By sending the document by email and by certified mail or first class mail to the party's last known address.

Service is deemed complete upon hand delivery of the document or upon the date of the document is emailed and deposited in the mail.

(10) "Sexual misconduct" has the meaning ascribed to this term in WAC 132X-60-090.

(11) "Student" includes all persons taking courses at or through the college, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, and whether such courses are credit courses, noncredit courses, online courses, or otherwise. Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the code, who are not officially enrolled for particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the college, or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered "students" for purposes of this chapter.

(12) "Student conduct officer" is a college administrator designated by the president to be responsible for implementing and enforcing the student conduct code.

(13) "The president" is the president of the college. The president is authorized to:

(a) Delegate any of their responsibilities as set forth in this chapter as may be reasonably necessary; and

(b) Reassign any and all duties and responsibilities as set forth in this chapter as may be reasonably necessary.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-60-020Jurisdiction.

((All rules herein adopted shall apply to every student whenever said student is present upon or in any college facility and whenever said student is present at or engaged in any college or recognized student organization sponsored activity or function which is held on or in noncollege facilities.

Persons aiding or abetting a student's breach of this code shall be subject to having their privilege removed as to remaining on college property or engaging in college-sponsored activities, and/or appropriate disciplinary action pursuant to this code, college policies and procedures, and/or state civil or criminal law. If the privilege to remain on campus is revoked, trespassers shall be subject to possible arrest and prosecution under the state criminal trespass law.))(1) The student conduct code shall apply to student conduct that occurs:

(a) On college premises;

(b) At or in connection with college sponsored activities; or

(c) To off-campus conduct that in the judgment of the college adversely affects the college community or the pursuit of its objectives.

(2) Jurisdiction extends to, but is not limited to, locations in which students are engaged in official college activities including, but not limited to, foreign or domestic travel, activities funded by the associated students, athletic events, training internships, cooperative and distance education, online education, practicums, supervised work experiences or any other college-sanctioned social or club activities.

(3) Students are responsible for their conduct from notification of acceptance at the college through the actual receipt of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment.

(4) These standards shall apply to a student's conduct even if the student withdraws from college while a disciplinary matter is pending. The student conduct officer has sole discretion, on a case-by-case basis, to determine whether the student conduct code will be applied to conduct that occurs off campus.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-60-090((Violations.))Prohibited student conduct.

((Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit any of the following violations on college-owned or controlled property or at college-sponsored or supervised functions is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in WAC 132X-60-120:

(1) Abusive conduct: Physical and/or verbal abuse of any person or conduct, including hazing and initiations which is intended to threaten imminent bodily harm or to endanger the health or safety of any person.

(2) Destroying or damaging property: Malicious damage to or malicious misuse of college property, or the property of any person.

(3) Dishonesty: All forms of dishonesty including: Cheating; plagiarism; knowingly furnishing false information to the college; intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning, or threat of fire, explosion, or other emergency,; forgery; alteration or use of college documents or instruments of identification with intent to defraud.

(4) Disorderly conduct: Materially and substantially interferes with the personal rights or privileges of others or the educational process of the college.

(5) Drugs: Using, possessing, furnishing, or selling any narcotic or dangerous drug as those terms are used in Washington statutes, except when the use or possession of a drug is specifically prescribed to the student as medication by an authorized medical practitioner.

(6) Inciting others: Intentionally inciting others to engage in any prohibited conduct as defined herein, which incitement directly leads to such conduct. Inciting is the advocacy which prepares the group or individual addressed for immediate action and compels that individual or group to engage in the prohibited conduct.

(7) Insubordination: Failure to comply with lawful directions of college personnel acting in performance of their official duties.

(8) Liquor: Possessing, consuming, or furnishing of alcoholic beverages where prohibited by law or college rules.

(9) Theft: Theft or conversion of college property or private property.

(10) Trespass/unauthorized presence: Entering or remaining unlawfully, as defined by state law, or using college premises, facilities, or property, without authority.

(11) Sexual harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, other conduct soliciting sexual favors, or other conduct of a sexual nature which conduct objectively and subjectively creates a hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student's educational performance, or substantially interferes with an individual's work, regardless of whom is initiating or receiving that conduct. That is, sexual harassment conduct of employees toward students, supervisors toward supervisees, students toward students, students toward employees. Sexual harassment complaints are covered by the college's Nondiscrimination Policy and Discrimination Complaint/Grievance Procedures at http://www.spscc.ctc.edu/getting-to-know-us/policies.

(12) Weapons: Carrying, exhibiting, displaying or drawing any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

(13) Computers - Misuse of technology: Use of college computers and/or computer programs for any purpose other than legitimate college business.

(14) Other violations: Students may be accountable to civil and criminal authorities and to the college for acts which constitute violations of federal, state, or local law as well as college rules and policy. The college may refer any such violation to civil and criminal authorities for disposition.))The college may impose disciplinary sanctions against a student who commits, attempts to commit, aids, abets, incites, encourages, or assists another person to commit, an act(s) of misconduct, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Academic dishonesty. Any act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication.

(a) Cheating includes any attempt to give or obtain unauthorized assistance relating to the completion of an academic assignment.

(b) Plagiarism includes 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 to an instructor concerning the completion of an assignment.

(d) Academic sanctions for failing to meet the college's standards for satisfactory scholarship and academic integrity may be imposed at the discretion of a faculty member, program chair, dean, or academic review panel, as set forth in the college's academic standards policy. Students should refer to each faculty course syllabus, and the college's academic standards policy, which is separate and distinct from the policies and procedures associated with the college's student conduct code, Title IX, and final course grade appeals.

(2) Alcohol, drug, and tobacco violations.

(a) Alcohol. The use, possession (where possession is illegal under federal, state, or local law), delivery, sale, or being observably under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, except as permitted by law and applicable college policies.

(b) Marijuana. The use, possession (where possession is illegal under federal, state, or local law), 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. 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 growth hormones as defined in chapter 69.41 RCW, or any other controlled substance under chapter 69.50 RCW, except as prescribed for a student's use by a licensed practitioner.

(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, 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.

(3) 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 defined as repeated or aggressive unwanted behavior, not otherwise protected by law that intentionally humiliates, harms, or intimidates the victim.

(4) Cyber misconduct. Cyberstalking, cyberbullying or online harassment. 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. 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.

(5) Discriminatory conduct. Conduct which harms or adversely affects any member of the college community because of her/his race; color; national origin; sensory, mental or physical disability; use of a service animal; gender, including pregnancy; marital status; age; religion; creed; sexual orientation; gender identity; veteran's status; or any other legally protected classification.

(6) 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.

(7) Failure to comply with directive. Failure to comply with the directive 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) 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, that changes the terms or conditions of employment for a college employee, 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; religion; creed; sexual orientation; gender identity; veteran's status; or any other legally protected classification. See "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.

(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) Lewd conduct. Conduct which is lewd or obscene that is not otherwise protected under the law.

(11) 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;

(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.

(12) Obstructive or disruptive conduct. Conduct, not otherwise protected by law, that materially or substantially interferes with, impedes, or otherwise unreasonably hinders the educational process.

(a) 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.

(13) Other dishonesty. Any other acts of dishonesty. Such acts 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.

(14) 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 purposes of this subsection includes computer passwords, access codes, identification cards, personal financial account numbers, other confidential personal information, intellectual property, and college trademarks.

(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) Safety violations. 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.

(17) 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 132X-60-210 (supplemental Title IX student conduct procedures).

(a) Sexual harassment. The term "sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual- or gender-based conduct, including unwelcome 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 severe, persistent, or pervasive as to:

(i) Deny or limit the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the college's educational program;

(ii) Alter the terms or conditions of employment for a college employee(s); and/or

(iii) Create 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 including, but 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. 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. 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.

(iii) 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 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.

(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.

(d) For purposes of this code, "consent" means knowing, voluntary, and clear 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 at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact. A person cannot consent if they are unable to understand what is happening or are disoriented, helpless, 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 incapacitated has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct. Intoxication is not a defense against allegations that an individual has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct.

(18) 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.

(19) 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.

(20) Weapons. Carrying, exhibiting, displaying or drawing any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

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 reserves the right to pursue student disciplinary proceedings regardless of whether the underlying conduct is subject to civil or criminal prosecution.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-60-100Disciplinary proceedings.

(((1) Initiation of disciplinary action. Alleged violations shall be reported in writing to the vice president for student services within ten calendar days of occurrence.

(2) Notice requirements. Any student charged with an alleged violation shall receive written notice from the office of the vice president for student services delivered to the student personally or by registered or certified mail to the student's last known address no later than two calendar weeks after a reported violation. The notice shall not be ineffective if presented later due to student's absence. The notice to the accused student shall:

(a) Inform the student what provision(s) of the student code he/she is charged with allegedly violating; and

(b) Specify the exact time and date the student is required to meet with the vice president for student services; and

(c) Inform the student that failure to appear at the appointed time to meet with the vice president for student services may subject the student to suspension from the institution for a stated or indefinite period of time.

(3) Meeting with the vice president for student services.

(a) At the meeting with the vice president for student services the student shall be reinformed of the provision(s) of the code of student rights and responsibilities that are involved, and that the student may appeal any sanction imposed by the vice president for student services as outlined in WAC 132X-60-105.

(b) After considering the evidence in the case and, as appropriate, interviewing the student or students involved, the vice president for student services may take any of the following actions:

(i) Terminate the proceedings exonerating the student or students; or

(ii) Impose disciplinary sanctions as provided for in WAC 132X-60-120.

(c) A student accused and found guilty of violating any provision of this code shall, within ten calendar days, be given notification of any disciplinary action taken by the vice president for student services, including a brief statement of the reasons for the decision and notice of their right to appeal to the student judicial board within ten calendar days of the disciplinary action taken by the vice president.

(d) Disciplinary action taken by the vice president for student services is final unless the student exercises the right of appeal to the student judicial board.))(1) All disciplinary actions will be initiated by the student conduct officer. If that officer is the subject of a complaint initiated by the respondent, the president shall, upon request and when feasible, designate another person to fulfill any such disciplinary responsibilities relative to the complainant.

(2) The student conduct officer shall initiate disciplinary action by serving the respondent with written notice directing him or her to attend a disciplinary meeting. The notice shall briefly describe the factual allegations, the provision(s) of the conduct code the respondent is alleged to have violated, the range of possible sanctions for the alleged violation(s), and specify the time and location of the meeting. At the meeting, the student conduct officer will present the allegations to the respondent and the respondent shall be afforded an opportunity to explain what took place. If the respondent fails to attend the meeting after proper service of notice, the student conduct officer may take disciplinary action based upon the available information.

(3) The student conduct officer, prior to taking disciplinary action in a case involving allegations of sexual misconduct, will make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant to discuss the results of the investigation and possible disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions, if any, that may be imposed upon the respondent if the allegations of sexual misconduct are found to have merit.

(4) Within ten days of the initial disciplinary meeting, and after considering the evidence in the case, including any facts or argument presented by the respondent, the student conduct officer shall serve the respondent with a written decision setting forth the facts and conclusions supporting their decision, the specific student conduct code provisions found to have been violated, the discipline imposed, if any, and a notice of any appeal rights with an explanation of the consequences of failing to file a timely appeal.

(5) The student conduct officer may take any of the following disciplinary actions:

(a) Exonerate the respondent and terminate the proceedings.

(b) Impose a disciplinary sanction(s), as described in WAC 132X-60-120.

(c) Refer the matter directly to the student conduct committee for such disciplinary action as the committee deems appropriate. Such referral shall be in writing, to the attention of the chair of the student conduct committee, with a copy served on the respondent.

(6) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the student conduct officer, on the same date that a disciplinary decision is served on the respondent, will serve a written notice informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct were found to have merit and describing any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including disciplinary suspension or dismissal of the respondent. The notice will also inform the complainant of their appeal rights. If protective sanctions and/or conditions are imposed, the student conduct officer shall make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant to ensure that prompt notice of the protective disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-60-105Student judicial board appeals process.

(((1) Composition. The college shall have a student judicial board composed of six members, who shall be chosen and appointed to serve until their successors are appointed. The membership of the board shall consist of two members of the exempt staff, excepting the vice president for student services, appointed by the president; two faculty members appointed by the faculty senate; and two students appointed by the associated student body president. Any student entitled to a hearing before the student judicial board shall choose, in writing, three members of the board to hear and decide the appeal, provided the student must choose at least one student, one faculty member and one exempt staff from the six-member board. In the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent a previously selected board member from attending the hearing, the student must choose a replacement from among the balance of the board.

(2) Disciplinary hearing procedures.

(a) The three members of the student judicial board will hear the appeal within ten days of receipt of the appeal from the student.

(b) The three members of the student judicial board shall elect from among themselves a chairperson for the purpose of presiding at the disciplinary hearing.

(c) At least seven calendar days in advance, the student shall be given written notice of the time, date, and location of the hearing; the specific charges against him/her; and shall be given reasonable access to a list of witnesses who will appear with a brief summary of the witness expected testimony and other evidence. The evidence will be retained by the vice president for student services.

(d) Student judicial board hearings shall be held in closed session. The complainant, accused student and their representative/advocate, if any, the vice president for student services, college counsel, counsel for the judicial board, and a court reporter or person operating audio recording equipment shall be allowed to attend the entire portion of the student judicial board hearing, excluding deliberation. Admission of any other person to the student judicial board hearing shall be at the election of the accused student.

(e) The chairperson shall exercise control over the hearing to avoid needless consumption of time and to prevent the harassment or intimidation of witnesses. Any person, including the accused student, who disrupts a hearing or who fails to adhere to the rulings of the chairperson or board may be excluded from the proceedings and may be subject to disciplinary action as set forth in this code.

(f) The accused student has the right to be assisted by any person they choose, at their own expense. The chosen person is not permitted to speak or participate directly in any hearing before the judicial board. If the accused student chooses a licensed attorney, the accused student must notify the vice president for student services at least five calendar days prior to the hearing, of the attorney's intended appearance.

(g) The accused student, vice president for student services and/or their counsel may arrange for witnesses to present pertinent information to the student judicial board. Witnesses will provide information under oath and answer questions.

(h) Formal rules of evidence and procedure shall not be applicable in disciplinary proceedings conducted under this code. Pertinent records, exhibits, and written statements may be accepted as information for consideration by the student judicial board at the discretion of the chairperson. All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the chairperson of the student judicial board.

(i) There shall be a single verbatim record, such as a tape recording or transcript, of all student judicial board hearings, excluding deliberations. The record shall be the property of the college.

(3) Hearing conclusions. After considering the evidence in the case, the student judicial board shall decide by majority vote whether to:

(a) Affirm the disciplinary sanctions imposed by the vice president for student services; or

(b) Terminate the proceedings exonerating the student(s); or

Final decisions of the student judicial board, reasons for the decision, including findings of fact, and conclusions of law, shall be delivered within ten calendar days of the hearing by return receipt requested mail to the student's last known address and a copy filed with the office of the vice president for student services.

The decision of the student judicial board is final.))(1) The respondent may appeal a disciplinary action by filing a written notice of appeal with the conduct review officer within ten days of service of the student conduct officer's decision. Failure to timely file a notice of appeal constitutes a waiver of the right to appeal and the student conduct officer's decision shall be deemed final.

(2) The notice of appeal must include a brief statement explaining why the respondent is seeking review.

(3) The parties to an appeal shall be the respondent and the conduct review officer.

(4) A respondent, who timely appeals a disciplinary action or whose case is referred to the student conduct committee, has a right to a prompt, fair, and impartial hearing as provided for in these procedures.

(5) On appeal, the college bears the burden of establishing the evidentiary facts underlying the imposition of a disciplinary sanction by a preponderance of the evidence.

(6) Imposition of disciplinary action for violation of the student conduct code shall be stayed pending appeal, unless respondent has been summarily suspended.

(7) The student conduct committee shall hear appeals from:

(a) The imposition of disciplinary suspensions in excess of ten instructional days;

(b) Dismissals; and

(c) Discipline cases referred to the committee by the student conduct officer, the conduct review officer, or the president.

(8) Student conduct appeals from the imposition of the following disciplinary sanctions shall be reviewed through a brief adjudicative proceeding:

(a) Suspensions of ten instructional days or less;

(b) Disciplinary probation;

(d) Any conditions or terms imposed in conjunction with one of the foregoing disciplinary actions.

(9) Except as provided elsewhere in these rules, disciplinary warnings and dismissals of disciplinary actions are final action and are not subject to appeal.

(10) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the complainant has the right to appeal the following actions by the student conduct officer following the same procedures as set forth above for the respondent:

(a) The dismissal of a sexual misconduct complaint; or

(b) Any disciplinary sanction(s) and conditions imposed against a respondent for a sexual misconduct violation, including a disciplinary warning.

(11) If the respondent timely appeals a decision imposing discipline for a sexual misconduct violation, the college shall notify the complainant of the appeal and provide the complainant an opportunity to intervene as a party to the appeal.

(12) Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, a complainant who timely appeals a disciplinary decision or who intervenes as a party to respondent's appeal of a disciplinary decision shall be afforded the same procedural rights as are afforded the respondent.

WAC 132X-60-109Brief adjudicative proceedings—Initial hearing.

(1) Brief adjudicative proceedings shall be conducted by a conduct review officer. The conduct review officer shall not participate in any case in which they are a complainant or witness, or in which they have direct or personal interest, prejudice, or bias, or in which they have acted previously in an advisory capacity.

(2) The parties to a brief adjudicative proceeding are the respondent, the student conduct officer, and in cases involving sexual misconduct, the complainant. Before taking action, the conduct review officer shall conduct an informal hearing and provide each party:

(a) An opportunity to be informed of the agency's view of the matter; and

(b) An opportunity to explain the party's view of the matter.

(3) The conduct review officer shall serve an initial decision upon the respondent and the student conduct officer within ten days of consideration of the appeal. The initial decision shall contain a brief written statement of the reasons for the decision and information about how to seek administrative review of the initial decision. If no request for review is filed within ten days of service of the initial decision, the initial decision shall be deemed the final decision.

(4) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the conduct review officer, on the same date as the initial decision is served on the respondent, will serve a written notice upon the complainant informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct were found to have merit and describing any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection. The notice will also inform the complainant of their appeal rights.

(5) If the conduct review officer, upon review, determines that the respondent's conduct may warrant imposition of a disciplinary suspension of more than ten instructional days or expulsion, the matter shall be referred to the student conduct committee for a disciplinary hearing.

WAC 132X-60-115Brief adjudicative proceedings—Review of an initial decision.

(1) An initial decision is subject to review by the president, provided a party files a written request for review with the conduct review officer within ten days of service of the initial decision.

(2) The president shall not participate in any case in which he or she is a complainant or witness, or in which they have direct or personal interest, prejudice, or bias, or in which they have acted previously in an advisory capacity.

(3) During the review, the president shall give all parties an opportunity to file written responses explaining their view of the matter and shall make any inquiries necessary to ascertain whether the sanctions should be modified or whether the proceedings should be referred to the student conduct committee for a formal adjudicative hearing.

(4) The decision on review must be in writing and must include a brief statement of the reasons for the decision and must be served on the parties within twenty days of the initial decision or of the request for review, whichever is later. The decision on review will contain a notice that judicial review may be available. A request for review may be deemed to have been denied if the president does not make a disposition of the matter within twenty days after the request is submitted.

(5) If the president, upon review, determines that the respondent's conduct may warrant imposition of a disciplinary suspension of more than ten instructional days or expulsion, the matter shall be referred to the student conduct committee for a disciplinary hearing.

(6) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the president, on the same date as the final decision is served on the respondent, will serve a written notice upon the complainant informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct were found to have merit and describing any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including suspension or dismissal of the respondent. The notice will also inform the complainant of their appeal rights.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-60-120Disciplinary sanctions and terms and conditions.

((The following sanctions may be imposed by the vice president for student services or the student judicial board upon any student found to have violated the code of student rights and responsibilities:

(1) Warning. Notice to a student, either verbally or in writing. Such warnings will include the statement that continuation or repetition of the specific conduct involved or other misconduct will normally result in one of the more serious disciplinary sanctions described below.

(2) Reprimand. Formal action censuring a student for violation of the college code. Reprimands shall be made in writing to the student with copies filed in the office of the vice president for student services. A reprimand will include the statement that continuation or repetition of the specific conduct involved or other misconduct will normally result in one of the more serious disciplinary sanctions described below.

(3) Fines. Assess monetary fines against individual students for violation of the college code. The fines imposed will be deposited in the appropriate college account. Failure to pay such fines within thirty days may, at the discretion of the vice president for student services, result in suspension for an indefinite period of time as set forth in subsection (6) of this section, provided that a student may be reinstated upon payment of the fine.

(4) Restitution. An individual student may be required to make restitution for damage or loss to college or other property and for injury to persons. Failure to make restitution within thirty days may, at the discretion of the vice president for student services, result in suspension for an indefinite period of time as set forth in subsection (8) of this section, provided that a student may be reinstated upon payment.

(5) Forfeit of state-funded grants, scholarships or awards. A person who participates in the hazing of another shall forfeit any entitlement to state-funded grants, scholarships, or awards for a period of time determined by the college.

(6) Deprivation of official recognition of organization, association, student living group or club. Any organization, association, student living group or club that knowingly permits hazing to be conducted by its members or by others subject to its direction or control shall be deprived of any official recognition or approval granted by the college.

(7) Disciplinary probation. Formal action placing conditions upon the student's continued attendance for violations of the college code. Written notice of disciplinary probation will specify the period of probation and any conditions, such as limiting the student's participation in extracurricular activities or access to specific areas of the college's facilities. Copies of the notice shall be kept on file in the office of the vice president for student services and, at the discretion of the vice president for student services, in the student's official educational records. Disciplinary probation will be for a specified term.

(8) Suspension/dismissal. Temporary, summary or permanent dismissal of a student from the college for violation of college code. The written notification suspending a student will state the term of the suspension, any special conditions which must be met before readmission, and the provision for appeal for readmission as outlined in WAC 132X-60-130. Notice shall be on file in the office of the vice president for student services and in the student's official education record.

Students who are suspended from the college may be denied access to all or any part of the campus or other facility during the duration of the period of suspension.

Refund of tuition and fees for the quarter in which disciplinary action is taken shall be in accordance with the college's refund rules.

(9) Withholding transcripts and/or degree. The college may withhold issuing transcripts or awarding a degree otherwise earned until completion of the process set forth in this code.

(10) More than one of the sanctions listed above may be imposed for any single violation.))(1) The following disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon students found to have violated the student conduct code.

(a) Disciplinary warning. A verbal statement to a student that there is a violation and that continued violation may be cause for further disciplinary action.

(b) Written reprimand. Notice in writing that the student has violated one or more terms of this code of conduct and that continuation of the same or similar behavior may result in more severe disciplinary action.

(c) Disciplinary probation. Formal action placing specific conditions and restrictions upon the student's continued attendance depending upon the seriousness of the violation and which may include a deferred disciplinary sanction. If the student subject to a deferred disciplinary sanction is found in violation of any college rule during the time of disciplinary probation, the deferred disciplinary sanction, which may include, but is not limited to, a suspension or a dismissal from the college, shall take effect immediately without further review. Any such sanction shall be in addition to any sanction or conditions arising from the new violation. Probation may be for a limited period of time or may be for the duration of the student's attendance at the college.

(d) Disciplinary suspension. Dismissal from the college and from the student status for a stated period of time. There will be no refund of tuition or fees for the quarter in which the action is taken.

(e) Dismissal. The revocation of all rights and privileges of membership in the college community and exclusion from the campus and college-owned or controlled facilities without any possibility of return. There will be no refund of tuition or fees for the quarter in which the action is taken.

(2) Disciplinary terms and conditions that may be imposed alone or in conjunction with the imposition of a disciplinary sanction include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Restitution. Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property, or for injury to persons, or for reasonable costs incurred by the college in pursuing an investigation or disciplinary proceeding. This may take the form of monetary reimbursement, appropriate service, or other compensation.

(b) Professional evaluation. Referral for drug, alcohol, psychological or medical evaluation by an appropriately certified or licensed professional may be required. The student may choose the professional within the scope of practice and with the professional credentials as defined by the college. The student will sign all necessary releases to allow the college access to any such evaluation. The student's return to college may be conditioned upon compliance with recommendations set forth in such a professional evaluation. If the evaluation indicates that the student is not capable of functioning within the college community, the student will remain suspended until future evaluation recommends that the student is capable of reentering the college and complying with the rules of conduct.

(c) Not in good standing. A student may be deemed "not in good standing" with the college. If so, the student shall be subject to the following restrictions:

(i) Ineligible to hold an office in any student organization recognized by the college or to hold any elected or appointed office of the college.

(ii) Ineligible to represent the college to anyone outside the college community in any way, including representing the college at any official function, or any forms of intercollegiate competition or representation.

(d) No contact order. An order directing a student to have no contact with a specified student, college employee, a member of the college community, or a particular college facility.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-60-140Summary suspension procedures.

(((1) Initiation of summary suspension procedures. The vice president for student services, or designee, may suspend any student of the college for not more than ten calendar days pending investigation, action or initiating disciplinary proceedings of alleged violation(s) of the college code, if the vice president for student services has reason to believe the student's presence presents an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare requiring immediate action.

(2) Permission to enter or remain on campus. During the period of summary suspension, the suspended student shall not enter the campus of the college or any facility under the operation of the college other than to meet with the vice president for student services or to attend the disciplinary hearing. However, the vice president for student services may grant the student special permission to enter a campus for the express purpose of meeting with faculty, staff, or students in preparation for the disciplinary hearing.

(3) Notice of order of summary suspension proceedings.

(a) If the vice president for student services or designee finds it necessary to exercise the authority to summarily suspend a student, he/she shall:

(i) Send a notice including a brief statement of reason for the decision (findings of fact and conclusions of law); and

(ii) The corrective action or punishment which may be imposed against the student; that anything the student says to the vice president may be used against the student; and that the student may either accept the disciplinary action or, within forty-eight hours or two academic days following receipt of the notice, file at the office of the vice president for student services, an appeal to the student judicial board. If the appeal is not filed within the prescribed time, it will be deemed waived. The college shall maintain its official record all documents considered or prepared regarding the matter.

(b) Appeal and disciplinary hearing. The hearing shall be held according to the process set forth in WAC 132X-60-105. Failure by the student to appear at the hearing with the student judicial board may result in the vice president for student services or designee suspending the student from the college.

(4) Classroom summary suspension and appeal process. Nothing herein shall prevent faculty members from taking summary action as may be reasonably necessary to maintain order when they have reason to believe that such action is necessary for the public health, safety or welfare requiring immediate college action or where the student's conduct materially and substantially disrupts the educational process.

(a) Such summary action in the form of removal from the classroom shall be effective for a period not to exceed three scheduled classroom days.

(b) The faculty member must immediately report such suspension to the vice president for student services who will follow the process in subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this section.

(d) The vice president for student services must decide the appeal within twenty-four hours' receipt of the appeal and their decision is final.))(1) Summary suspension is a temporary exclusion from specified college premises or denial of access to all activities or privileges for which a respondent might otherwise be eligible, while an investigation and/or formal disciplinary procedures are pending.

(2) The student conduct officer may impose a summary suspension if there is probable cause to believe that the respondent:

(a) Has violated any provision of the code of conduct; and

(b) Presents an immediate danger to the health, safety or welfare of members of the college community; or

(3) Notice. Any respondent who has been summarily suspended shall be served with oral or written notice of the summary suspension. If oral notice is given, a written notification shall be served on the respondent within two business days of the oral notice.

(4) The written notification shall be entitled "Notice of Summary Suspension" and shall include:

(a) The reasons for imposing the summary suspension, including a description of the conduct giving rise to the summary suspension and reference to the provisions of the student conduct code or the law allegedly violated;

(b) The date, time, and location when the respondent must appear before the conduct review officer for a hearing on the summary suspension; and

(c) The conditions, if any, under which the respondent may physically access the campus or communicate with members of the campus community. If the respondent has been trespassed from the campus, a notice against trespass shall be included warning respondent that their privilege to enter into or remain on college premises has been withdrawn, and that the respondent shall be considered trespassing and subject to arrest for criminal trespass if they enter the college campus other than to meet with the student conduct officer or conduct review officer, or to attend a disciplinary hearing.

(5)(a) The conduct review officer shall conduct a hearing on the summary suspension as soon as practicable after imposition of the summary suspension.

(b) During the summary suspension hearing, the issue before the conduct review officer is whether there is probable cause to believe that the summary suspension should be continued pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings and/or whether the summary suspension should be less restrictive in scope.

(c) The respondent shall be afforded an opportunity to explain why summary suspension should not be continued while disciplinary proceedings are pending or why the summary suspension should be less restrictive in scope.

(d) If the respondent fails to appear at the designated hearing time, the conduct review officer may order that the summary suspension remain in place pending the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings.

(e) As soon as practicable following the hearing, the conduct review officer shall issue a written decision which shall include a brief explanation for any decision continuing and/or modifying the summary suspension and notice of any right to appeal.

(f) To the extent permissible under applicable law, the conduct review officer shall provide a copy of the decision to all persons or offices who may be bound or protected by it.

(6) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the complainant shall be notified that a summary suspension has been imposed on the same day that the summary suspension notice is served on the respondent. The college will also provide the complainant with timely notice of any subsequent changes to the summary suspension order.

((LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY STUDENT ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION))

WAC 132X-60-155Student conduct committee.

(1) The student conduct committee shall consist of five members:

(a) Two full-time students appointed by the student government;

(b) Two faculty members appointed by the president;

(c) One faculty member or administrator (other than an administrator serving as a student conduct or conduct review officer) appointed by the president at the beginning of the academic year.

(2) The faculty member or administrator appointed on a yearly basis shall serve as the chair of the committee and may take action on preliminary hearing matters prior to convening the committee. The chair shall receive annual training on protecting victims and promoting accountability in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct.

(3) Hearings may be heard by a quorum of three members of the committee so long as one faculty member and one student are included on the hearing panel. Committee action may be taken upon a majority vote of all committee members attending the hearing.

(4) Members of the student conduct committee shall not participate in any case in which they are a party, complainant, or witness, in which they have direct or personal interest, prejudice, or bias, or in which they have acted previously in an advisory capacity. Any party may petition the committee for disqualification of a committee member.

WAC 132X-60-165Appeal—Student conduct committee.

(1) Proceedings of the student conduct committee shall be governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW.

(2) The student conduct committee chair shall serve all parties with written notice of the hearing not less than seven days in advance of the hearing date. The chair may shorten this notice period if both parties agree, and also may continue the hearing to a later time for good cause shown.

(3) The committee chair is authorized to conduct prehearing conferences and/or to make prehearing decisions concerning the extent and form of any discovery, issuance of protective decisions, and similar procedural matters.

(4) Upon request filed at least five days before the hearing by any party or at the direction of the committee chair, the parties shall exchange, no later than the third day prior to the hearing, lists of potential witnesses and copies of potential exhibits that they reasonably expect to present to the committee. Failure to participate in good faith in such a requested exchange may be cause for exclusion from the hearing of any witness or exhibit not disclosed, absent a showing of good cause for such failure.

(5) The committee chair may provide to the committee members in advance of the hearing copies of:

(a) The conduct officer's notification of imposition of discipline (or referral to the committee); and

(b) The notice of appeal (or any response to referral) by the respondent. If doing so, however, the chair should remind the members that these "pleadings" are not evidence of any facts they may allege.

(6) The parties may agree before the hearing to designate specific exhibits as admissible without objection and, if they do so, whether the committee chair may provide copies of these admissible exhibits to the committee members before the hearing.

(7) The student conduct officer, upon request, shall provide reasonable assistance to the respondent and complainant in obtaining relevant and admissible evidence that is within the college's control.

(8) Communications between committee members and other hearing participants regarding any issue in the proceeding, other than procedural communications that are necessary to maintain an orderly process, are generally prohibited without notice and opportunity for all parties to participate, and any improper "ex parte" communication shall be placed on the record, as further provided in RCW 34.05.455.

(9) In cases heard by the committee, each party may be accompanied at the hearing by a nonattorney assistant of their choice. The respondent in all appeals before the committee, or a complainant in an appeal involving allegations of sexual misconduct before the committee, may elect to be represented by an attorney at their own cost, but will be deemed to have waived that right unless, at least four business days before the hearing, written notice of the attorney's identity and participation is filed with the committee chair with a copy to the student conduct officer. The committee will ordinarily be advised by an assistant attorney general. If the respondent and/or the complainant is represented by an attorney, the student conduct officer may also be represented by a second, appropriately screened assistant attorney general.

WAC 132X-60-175Student conduct committee hearings—Presentations of evidence.

(1) Upon the failure of any party to attend or participate in a hearing, the student conduct committee may either:

(a) Proceed with the hearing and issuance of its decision; or

(b) Serve an decision of default in accordance with RCW 34.05.440.

(2) The hearing will ordinarily be closed to the public. However, if all parties agree on the record that some or all of the proceedings be open, the chair shall determine any extent to which the hearing will be open. If any person disrupts the proceedings, the chair may exclude that person from the hearing room.

(3) The chair shall cause the hearing to be recorded by a method that they select, in accordance with RCW 34.05.449. That recording, or a copy, shall be made available to any party upon request. The chair shall assure maintenance of the record of the proceeding that is required by RCW 34.05.476, which shall also be available upon request for inspection and copying by any party. Other recording shall also be permitted, in accordance with WAC 10-08-190.

(4) The chair shall preside at the hearing and decide procedural questions that arise during the hearing, except as overridden by majority vote of the committee.

(5) The student conduct officer (unless represented by an assistant attorney general) shall present the case for imposing disciplinary sanctions.

(6) All testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation. Evidence shall be admitted or excluded in accordance with RCW 34.05.452.

(7) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, no party shall directly question or cross examine one another. Attorneys for the parties are also prohibited from questioning the opposing party absent express permission from the committee chair. Subject to this exception, all cross-examination questions shall be directed to the committee chair, who in their discretion shall pose the questions on the party's behalf.

WAC 132X-60-185Student conduct committee—Initial decision.

(1) At the conclusion of the hearing, the student conduct committee shall permit the parties to make closing arguments in whatever form it wishes to receive them. The committee also may permit each party to propose findings, conclusions, and/or a proposed decision for its consideration.

(2) Within twenty days following the later of the conclusion of the hearing or the committee's receipt of closing arguments, the committee shall issue an initial decision in accordance with RCW 34.05.461 and WAC 10-08-210. The initial decision shall include findings on all material issues of fact and conclusions on all material issues of law, including which, if any, provisions of the student conduct code were violated. Any findings based substantially on the credibility of evidence or the demeanor of witnesses shall be so identified.

(3) The committee's initial order shall also include a determination on appropriate discipline, if any. If the matter was referred to the committee by the student conduct officer, the committee shall identify and impose disciplinary sanction(s) or conditions, if any, as authorized in the student code. If the matter is an appeal by a party, the committee may affirm, reverse, or modify the disciplinary sanction and/or conditions imposed by the student conduct officer and/or impose additional disciplinary sanction(s) or conditions as authorized herein.

(4) The committee chair shall cause copies of the initial decision to be served on the parties and their legal counsel of record. The committee chair shall also promptly transmit a copy of the decision and the record of the committee's proceedings to the president.

(5) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the chair of the student conduct committee, on the same date as the initial decision is served on the respondent, will serve a written notice upon the complainant informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct were found to have merit and describing any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including suspension or dismissal of the respondent. Complainant may appeal the student conduct committee's initial decision to the president subject to the same procedures and deadlines applicable to other parties. The notice will also inform the complainant of their appeal rights.

WAC 132X-60-190Appeal from student conduct committee's initial decision.

(1) A party who is aggrieved by the findings or conclusions issued by the student conduct committee may appeal the committee's initial decision to the president by filing a notice of appeal with the president's office within ten days of service of the committee's initial decision. Failure to file a timely appeal constitutes a waiver of the right and the initial decision shall be deemed final.

(2) The notice of appeal must identify the specific findings of fact and/or conclusions of law in the initial decision that are challenged and must contain argument why the appeal should be granted. If necessary to aid review, the president may ask for additional briefing from the parties on issues raised on appeal. The president's review shall be restricted to the hearing record made before the student conduct committee and will normally be limited to a review of those issues and arguments raised in the notice of appeal.

(3) The president shall provide a written decision to the party and the student conduct officer within twenty days after receipt of the notice of appeal. The president's decision shall be final and shall include a notice of any rights to request reconsideration and/or judicial review.

(4) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the president, on the same date that the final decision is served upon the respondent, shall serve a written notice informing the complainant of the final decision. This notice shall inform the complainant whether the sexual misconduct allegation was found to have merit and describe any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including suspension or dismissal of the respondent.

(5) The president shall not engage in an ex parte communication with any of the parties regarding an appeal.

WAC 132X-60-195Sexual misconduct proceedings.

Both the respondent and the complainant in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct shall be provided the same procedural rights to participate in student discipline matters, including the right to participate in the initial disciplinary decision-making process and to appeal any disciplinary decision.

The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

Right to demand identification.

Trespass regulations.

Freedom of access to higher education.

Freedom of association and organization.

Freedom of expression.

Student participation in college governance.

Student publications.

Posting of materials.

Use of college facilities.

Athletics—Grounds for ineligibility.

Initiation of athletic ineligibility proceedings.

SUPPLEMENTAL TITLE IX STUDENT CONDUCT PROCEDURES

WAC 132X-60-200Order 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 South Puget Sound Community College's standard disciplinary procedures in chapter 132X-60 WAC, these supplemental procedures shall take precedence.

WAC 132X-60-210Prohibited 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, South Puget Sound Community 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.

WAC 132X-60-220Title 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

(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 in chapter 132X-60 WAC.

(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 vice president for student services or their designee 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.

WAC 132X-60-230Initiation of discipline.

(1) Upon receiving the Title IX investigation report from the Title IX coordinator, the vice president for student services or their designee 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 vice president for student services or their designee determines that there are sufficient grounds to proceed under these supplemental procedures, the vice president for student services or their designee 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);

(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.

WAC 132X-60-240Prehearing 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 chapter 132X-60 WAC. In no event will the hearing date be set less than ten business 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 business 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.

WAC 132X-60-250Rights of parties.

(1) The college's standard student conduct procedures in chapter 132X-60 WAC, 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.

WAC 132X-60-260Evidence.

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;

(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.

WAC 132X-60-270Initial order.

(1) In addition to complying with chapter 132X-60 WAC, 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;

(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.

WAC 132X-60-280Appeals.

(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 chapter 132X-60 WAC.

(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.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-03-093, filed 1/17/12, effective 2/17/12)

WAC 132X-90-040Brief adjudicative procedure.

This rule adopts the provision of RCW 34.05.482 through 34.05.494. Brief adjudicative procedures ((may, at the election of college, be used in all appeals))shall be used in all matters related to:

(1) Residency classifications made pursuant to RCW 28B.15.013;

(2) Outstanding debts of college employees or students;

(3) Loss of eligibility to participate in athletic events;

(4) Contents of educational records pursuant to 34 C.F.R. ((section))Sec. 99.21;

(5) Denial of mandatory tuition and fee waivers;

(6) Denial of tuition and fee refunds;

(7) Use of college facilities;

(8) Any other rule adopted by college which specifically provides for a brief adjudicative procedure; and

(9) Student conduct disciplinary proceedings.

WAC 132X-60-010	Preamble.
WAC 132X-60-030	Right to demand identification.
WAC 132X-60-035	Trespass regulations.
WAC 132X-60-037	Freedom of access to higher education.
WAC 132X-60-040	Freedom of association and organization.
WAC 132X-60-045	Freedom of expression.
WAC 132X-60-046	Student participation in college governance.
WAC 132X-60-050	Student records.
WAC 132X-60-060	Student publications.
WAC 132X-60-065	Posting of materials.
WAC 132X-60-070	Use of college facilities.
WAC 132X-60-080	Student complaints.
WAC 132X-60-160	Athletics—Grounds for ineligibility.
WAC 132X-60-170	Initiation of athletic ineligibility proceedings.