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Community Standards & Student Conduct

Student Conduct Process

Overview

  • The Office of Community Standards & Student Conduct receives a report alleging a violation of the Student Conduct Code.
  • A conduct proceeding will be initiated by the Conduct Officer. The fact-finding process will focus on gathering all of the pertinent information necessary to determine whether or not a violation of the Student Conduct Code occurred.
  • An investigative interview will be scheduled for the respondent to review the alleged violation(s) of the Student Conduct Code and the report with the Conduct Officer.
  • During the investigative interview, the student respondent is provided with an overview of the Student Conduct Process and their rights.
  • The respondent has the opportunity to provide their account of what occurred, present relevant evidence, and provide names of witnesses for further consideration by the Conduct Officer during the fact-finding process.
  • At the conclusion of the fact-finding process, the Conduct Officer will make a decision regarding whether there was a violation of the Student Conduct Code based on a “preponderance of evidence” standard. The decision will either be that the student is responsible or not responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code. If found responsible, the Conduct Officer will also determine what sanctions are appropriate for the violation(s). This written decision is called an Initial Order.
  • The respondent has the option to request an administrative review (appeal) of the decision within 21 days of service of the Initial Order. If an administrative review is not requested the Initial Order is considered final.

During the fact-finding process, the Conduct Officer may initiate a full hearing. Please click here for more information about full hearings.

For more details about the student conduct process, please visit Student Governance Policy, Chapter 209.

Glossary of Terms

  • Administrative Review: A request made by a respondent seeking review of an Initial Order under certain grounds. This is also known as an appeal.
  • Advisor: A person selected to provide support and guidance during the Student Conduct Process.
  • Attorney: A person permitted to practice law in Washington State.
  • Conduct Officer: An individual who has the authority to initiate conduct proceedings under the Code, this may include a staff member of Community Standards & Student Conduct or a staff/faculty member in your School or College.
  • Conduct Proceedings: Refers to brief adjudicative proceedings and full adjudicative proceedings.
  • Fact Finding: The process of collecting information pertinent to the conduct proceeding to determine if there is a violation of the Student Conduct Code.
  • Full Hearing: Refers to the hearing that occurs when a matter is designated as being appropriate for a full adjudicative proceeding.
  • Hearing Officer: A Presiding Officer in a Full Hearing for the purpose of conducting a full adjudicative proceeding.
  • Initial Order: Refers to an initial written decision issued in a disciplinary matter by a Presiding Officer.
  • Investigative Interview: A meeting with a Conduct Officer that a respondent is highly encouraged to attend.
  • Presiding Officer: Refers to Conduct Officers and Hearing Officers collectively.
  • Respondent: A student who is alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code.