WAC 132K-125-030
Procedural standards in disciplinary
proceedings. (1) In assisting students to develop responsible
behavior, the Student Conduct Code has been developed to play a
complementary role to counseling, guidance, and other forms of
student development actions. At the same time, Pierce College
has a duty and the corollary disciplinary powers to protect its
educational endeavors through the setting of standards of
scholarship and conduct for its students and through the
regulations of the use of its facilities.
(2) If these rules are broken, discipline will be
administered so as to guarantee procedural fairness to an accused
student. The regular disciplinary procedures, rules of conduct,
including the student's right to appeal a decision will be
clearly formulated and communicated in advance. Disciplinary
procedures may vary in formality with the gravity of the offense
and the sanctions that may be applied. Some Student Conduct Code
violations may be adjudicated informally under prescribed
procedures.
(3) Pierce College will adhere to procedural fairness by
requiring that in all situations the student be informed of the
nature of the charges against him or her, and that he or she be
given a fair opportunity to refute them.
(4) If a student is charged with an off-campus violation of
the law, the matter shall be of no disciplinary concern to the
college unless the student is convicted in a court of law and
unable to comply with academic requirements. If the violation of
law occurs on campus and is also a violation of a published
college regulation, the college may institute its own proceedings
against the offender or may refer the violation to the
appropriate civilian authorities for disposition. The college
shall not proceed with a disciplinary action that duplicates
punishment for the same offense unless the interests of the
college are distinct and clearly involved by violation of law.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 128B.50.140(13) [28B.50.140(13)]. 99-10-046, § 132K-125-030, filed 4/30/99, effective 5/31/99.]