WAC 172-121-110   Preliminary conference.  (1) Scheduling. If, after reviewing a complaint, the director of OSRR decides to initiate conduct review proceedings, the director of OSRR shall appoint a conduct review officer (CRO) to the case and notify the accused according to the following provisions:

     (a) Notification shall be in writing;

     (b) A written list of charges against the accused shall be included with the notification; and

     (c) Notification shall include the name of the conduct review officer assigned to the case and the deadline for the accused to contact the CRO in order to schedule a preliminary conference.

     (2) Failure to respond: If the accused fails to comply with the notification requirements, the director of OSRR shall schedule the preliminary conference and notify the accused. The notification shall be in writing and shall include a date, time, and location of the preliminary conference.

     (3) Appearance. Only the accused and the accused's advisor may attend the preliminary conference. The accused may be assisted by an advisor during the preliminary conference. The complainant, complainant's advisor, and witnesses may not appear at the preliminary conference.

     (4) Failure to appear. In cases where proper notice has been given but the accused fails to attend the preliminary conference, the CRO may:

     (a) Proceed with a hearing and decide the case based on the information available; or

     (b) Place a hold on the accused's academic records as described in WAC 172-121-080.

     (5) Proceedings. During the preliminary conference, the conduct review officer will:

     (a) Review the written list of charges with the accused;

     (b) Inform the accused who is bringing the accusation(s) against them;

     (c) Provide the accused with a copy of the student conduct code and any other relevant university policies;

     (d) Explain the accused's rights under the student code;

     (e) Explain the conduct review procedures;

     (f) Explain the accused's rights and responsibilities in the conduct review process; and

     (g) Explain possible penalties under the student conduct code.

     (6) After the preliminary conference, the conduct review officer will take one of the following actions:

     (a) Conduct a summary hearing with the accused as described in WAC 172-121-120;

     (b) Schedule a summary hearing with the accused as described in WAC 172-121-120; or

     (c) Refer the case to the student disciplinary council for a council hearing under WAC 172-121-120.

     (7) Records. Records of the preliminary conference shall be maintained as described in WAC 172-121-130.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.35.120(12). 09-12-001, § 172-121-110, filed 5/20/09, effective 6/20/09.]