Number:	4.005	Legal Authority:
Title:	Academic Standards	Implementation Date:
Contact:	VP Student Services	Revisions:	6-4-2015, 5-3-2017, 2-2-2022

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above to be in good academic standing. If a student does not receive a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above then the college will place the student on warning, probation, suspension, or conditional probation. The category depends upon how many times the student's GPA falls below 2.0. If the student raises their cumulative GPA to 2.0 or above then the college will remove any warning, probation, or suspension status. The college reserves the right to place enrollment conditions on students anytime their cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0.

Warning - The first term the student's cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, the college will place the student on Academic Warning. There is no appeal.

Probation - The second term that a student's cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, the college will place the student on Academic Probation. This is the final warning prior to suspension. There is no appeal.

One-quarter Suspension - The third term a student's cumulative GPA remains below 2.0, the college will suspend the student for one term. During the suspension, the student may not register for any course, and may not participate in events or activities reserved for students. The student has the right to appeal the suspension.

Conditional Probation - Suspended students who return from one-term or one-year suspension or were granted an appeal will be placed on conditional probation status. Students on conditional probation status must increase their cumulative GPA to above 2.0 or meet the conditions outlined in their approved appeal. Students who meet the conditions of the appeal but do not raise their cumulative GPA to above a 2.0 will remain on conditional probation status. Students who fail to increase their cumulative GPA to above 2.0 or fail to meet the conditions of their appeal will be suspended for one year. During the suspension, the student may not register for any course, and may not participate in events or activities reserved for students. The college will remove all warning, probation, suspension or conditional probation status from students increasing their cumulative GPA to above 2.0.

Appeals - Suspended students can submit an appeal to the Vice President of Student Services as long as they have not filed any previous appeals or have received above a 2.0 GPA in every course. In an approved appeal, the student must show proof of circumstances over which the student had no control and/or show proof of making measurable and substantial progress toward raising their GPA. The Vice President reviews appeals on a case-by-case basis. The Vice President may take the following actions on an appeal:

• Grant the appeal and move the student to conditional probation status
• Grant the appeal under certain conditions and move the student to conditional probation status
• Deny the appeal

The decision of the Vice President is final.

Number:	4.008	Legal Authority:
Title:	Academic Standards for Awarding Degrees, Certificates, and Credentials	Implementation Date:	2-7-2024
Contact:	Director Enrollment Services	Revisions:

Students must have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA to be awarded a degree, certificate, or other recognized Centralia College credential.

Number:	4.010	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.10.912 & RCW 28B.10.914
Title:	Accommodations for Students with Disabilities	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director Disability Services	Revisions:	10-8-2015, 5-6-2020

Centralia College will provide appropriate academic accommodations as necessary to ensure that it does not discriminate on the basis of disability for qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and amendments, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Revised Code of Washington: Students with Disabilities – Core Services (RCW 28B.10.912), and Students with Disabilities Accommodations (RCW 28B.10.914).

Number:	4.015	Legal Authority:
Title:	Adding Classes	Implementation Date:	6-1-2011
Contact:	Director Enrollment Services	Revisions:	5-6-2020

For classes that start at the beginning of the term, students can enroll through the tenth day of the term (eighth day of summer). After that deadline, students will need to complete a Late Registration Authorization Form to enroll.

Contact Enrollment Services for enrollment dates and deadlines for classes that have different start dates. Some classes may need instructor approval.

Number:	4.020	Legal Authority:	WAC 131-12-010
Title:	Admission	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director Enrollment Services	Revisions:	4-13-2015, 6-3-2020

Centralia College is an open admission policy institution in accordance with state regulations. Any applicant for admission to Centralia College shall be admitted when, as determined by the President or their designee, such applicant:

• is competent to profit from the curricular offerings of the college; and,
• would not, by their conduct, create a disruptive atmosphere within the college inconsistent with the purposes of the institution; and,
• is 18 years of age or older; or
• is a high school graduate, or the equivalent; or
• has qualified for admission under the provisions of the Running Start program or has been released by the high school.

Some of the programs may require additional criteria for admission and/or a separate admission process. These include but are not limited to all Bachelor of Applied Science programs, some associate degree programs, underage admissions, and International programs. Applicants interested in these programs should review the Centralia College website for additional information.

Number:	4.030	Legal Authority:
Title:	Academic Placement	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director Enrollment Services	Revisions:	11-6-2019

Centralia College offers several ways for students to complete academic placement into math and English courses.

Options include:

• College-approved placement exams
• Assessment taken at another college/university
• College/university transcript with successful completion of specific classes
• Approved Academic Credit for Prior Learning: Credit by Testing such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB)

For the most current list of acceptable placement options, including minimum scores required and expiration periods, contact Enrollment Services.

Number:	4.035	Legal Authority:	WAC 132L-350-010
Title:	Associated Students of Centralia College (ASCC)	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Student Life & Involvement	Revisions:	2-3-2021

Members of the Associated Students of Centralia College (ASCC) shall be defined as 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. The ASCC Student Governing Board is recognized by Centralia College and the Board of Trustees as the official student organization representing students at Centralia College. The ASCC Student Governing Board is the official governing body of the Associated Students and operates within the guidelines of its constitution and by-laws. The Director of Student Life and Involvement has administrative responsibility for the ASCC.

Number:	4.040	Legal Authority:
Title:	Athletics (Intercollegiate)	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Vice President Student Services	Revisions:	3-9-2015, 3-4-2020

Centralia College may offer intercollegiate athletic programs to enhance individual student development, build a sense of identity with the college, strengthen the bond between the college and the communities, and foster cooperation and competition.

The introduction of new athletic programs or the significant expansion of existing athletic programs shall be approved by the President. Proposals for new or expanded programs shall include sources and amounts of funding required and proposed expenditures.

The Vice President of Student Services has the responsibility for the administration of the college athletic program. Under the direction of the President, two athletic commissioners are appointed by the Vice President of Student Services to serve on the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). The Athletic Director is responsible for the development, organization, administration, coordination, and supervision of intercollegiate activities. Centralia College competes in a comprehensive package of men's and women's sports to ensure Title IX compliance.

Number:	4.041	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.50.140
Title:	Athlete Housing Requirement	Implementation Date:	12-4-2024
Contact:	Athletic Director	Revisions:

POLICY

All Centralia College first-year student athletes are required to live in on-campus housing with the following exceptions:

• Student athletes with a permanent residence of less than 30 miles from Centralia College main campus
• Student athletes who have an immediate family member whom they will live with that resides within 30 miles from Centralia College main campus
• Other exceptions on a case-by-case basis as determined by the athletic director

Number:	4.043	Legal Authority:	SBCTC BEdA Handbook
Title:	BEdA Progression	Implementation Date:	5-4-2022
Contact:	Vice President, Instruction	Revisions:	11-6-2024

Eligibility

Students aged 16 or older who are not required to be enrolled in secondary school, who require additional instruction in basic skills, who do not possess a high school diploma or alternate credential, or are English language learners, may enroll in Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) classes. Persons admitted into such classes will be allowed to continue as long as they demonstrate, through measurable academic progress, an ability to benefit. 

Satisfactory Student Progression

Students demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress in BEdA courses in the following ways, depending on the program they are enrolled in:

Adult Basic Education/GED	English Language Acquisition (ELA)	High School+ (HS+)
Making an Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gain as measured by Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) test scores.	Making an Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gain as measured by Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) test scores.	Completing a minimum of five (full-time enrollment) or three (part-time enrollment) course modules within a single course or within two or more courses.
Passing any one of the four GED Ready exams or official GED exams.	Demonstrating documentable progress towards the completion of course outcomes as stated in the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS).	Demonstrating documentable progress towards the completion of course outcomes as stated in the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) or in High School+ (HS+) subject requirements.
Demonstrating documentable progress towards the completion of course outcomes as stated in the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS).

Per policy 4.135 Repeating Courses, students may not enroll in the same course more than a total of three times.

Failure to Progress

Students are expected to demonstrate progress using one of the methods, above, each term. Students can re-enroll in the same BEdA course up to three times. Students who are unable to show progress will be placed on alert, intervention, suspension, or conditional intervention.  The category depends upon how many times the student fails to demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress. If the student demonstrates an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress, then the college will remove any alert, intervention, or suspension status.

Academic Alert
The first term the student fails to demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic    progress, the college will place the student on Academic Alert. There is no appeal.

Academic Intervention
The second term that a student fails to demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress, the college will place the student on Academic Intervention. Students placed on Academic Intervention are required to meet with their academic advisor before the start of the subsequent quarter. This is the final warning prior to suspension. There is no appeal.

One-term Suspension

The third term a student fails to demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress, the college will suspend the student for one term. During the suspension, the student may not register for any course, and may not participate in events or activities reserved for students. The student has the right to appeal the suspension.

Conditional Intervention

Suspended students who return from one-term or one-year suspension or were granted an appeal will be placed on conditional intervention status. Students on conditional intervention status must demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress within their first term of return, or meet the conditions outlined in their approved appeal. Students who meet the conditions of the appeal but fail to demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress will remain on conditional intervention status.

One-year Suspension
Students who fail to demonstrate an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress or fail to meet the conditions of their appeal will be suspended for one year. During the suspension, the student may not register for any academic course, and may not participate in events or activities reserved for students. The college will remove all alert, intervention, suspension or conditional intervention status from students demonstrating an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress.

Appeals

Suspended students may appeal the decision to the Dean of Instruction, Transitional Studies as long as they have not filed any previous appeals or have demonstrated an ability to benefit through measurable academic progress in at least one course. In a successful appeal, the student must show proof of circumstances. The Dean reviews appeals on a case-by-case basis. The Dean may take the following actions on an appeal:

• Grant the appeal and move the student to conditional intervention status
• Grant the appeal under certain conditions and move the student to conditional intervention status
• Deny the appeal

The decision is final. 

Exit
Students with a high school diploma or GED, and a CASAS scale score of 254 or higher in Reading and 249 or higher in Math must exit the program. Students will be referred to the Advising Center for assistance transitioning to college programs.

Resources/Additional Information: SBCTC Requirements

Number:	4.045	Legal Authority:
Title:	Course Audits	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Enrollment Services	Revisions:	2-5-2020

Students that are interested in auditing a course can observe class activities and receive instruction with an instructor’s permission without being required to complete assignments or take exams. To audit a course, the student must complete the Schedule Change form with the instructor’s signature, enroll by the census date, and pay appropriate tuition and/or fees. Auditing a course results in the student not being awarded credit or a grade for that course. The transcript will show an “N” for an audited course and will not factor into the GPA.

Number:	4.060	Legal Authority:	28B.50.140
Title:	Student Complaint/Concern Process	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Vice President Student Services	Revisions:	11-6-2019

Centralia College maintains several concern processes to help students address any situation that they may encounter as a student. Students will follow the processes below as determined by the nature of their complaint.

A student who feels like they have been discriminated against based on a protected class should follow the process outlined in Policy 1.136 (WAC 132L-300-020).

A student who has concern about a college employee should follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Meeting with the involved employee

Talk directly to the employee involved. Students may bring someone with them to this meeting but must let the employee know in advance. If the unlikely case that the concern is not adequately resolved proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Letter to the supervisor

Submit a letter to the employee’s supervisor. If needed, contact Human Resources to identify the appropriate supervisor. The letter must include:

• The situation
• Dates and times
• Appropriate examples
• Supporting documents
• Requested resolution

The supervisor will send the student and the employee a written response via official email within 15 business days after receiving the letter.

Step 3: Appeal to the Vice President

If the situation isn’t resolved at step 2, the student can appeal the supervisor’s decision to the appropriate vice president by submitting a written appeal to the appropriate vice president no more than five business days after the written response. If needed, contact human resources to identify the appropriate vice president. The appeal must include:

• New appeal letter with the reasons why the supervisor’s decision is not adequate
• All of the information from the appeal to the supervisor
• Any additional information that has become available since the submission of the first appeal

The Vice President will send the student and the employee a written response via official email within 15 business days after receiving the appeal letter. 

Step 4: Appeal to the President

If the situation isn’t resolved at step, the student can appeal the vice president’s decision to the president by submitting a written appeal to the president no more than five business days after the written response. The appeal must include:

• New appeal letter with the reasons why the vice president’s decisions is not adequate
• All of the information from the appeal to the supervisor and the appeal to the vice president
• Any additional information that has become available since the submission of the appeal to the vice president

The President will send the student, the supervisor and the vice president a written response via official email within 15 business days after receiving the appeal letter. The president’s decision is final.

Number:	4.065	Legal Authority:
Title:	Counseling & Advising Services	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Student Success and Retention Programs	Revisions:	5-24-2016, 3-4-2020

The Counseling & Advising Center shall assist and support students in resolving short term issues of an educational, career, and/or personal nature. Students with long term mental health and/or other needs will be referred to community providers for follow-up.

Number:	4.070	Legal Authority:
Title:	Course Substitution	Implementation Date:
Contact:	VP Instruction	Revisions:	12-4-2019

Centralia College has the authority to substitute courses or permit waivers to fulfill program requirements that have been set by Centralia College and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC).

Any exceptions must be approved by the Vice President of Instruction.

Number:	4.075	Legal Authority:
Title:	Attending & Withdrawing from Classes	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director Enrollment Services	Revisions:	11-6-19, 3-4-2020, 6-3-2020

Students are expected to attend all classes for which they enroll.

Faculty will notify Enrollment Services of all students who do not attend class or secure approval for their absence: this notification will take place after the end of the second class session, but before noon of the sixth business day from the start of the term. Enrollment Services will then withdraw such students from those classes.

Students who withdraw from their class(es) before the Enrollment Census Date will have their name removed from the class list and no record will appear on their transcript.  If a student withdraws from the class after the census date, but on or before the last class day, the student will receive a grade of “W” on their transcript. Students who stop attending class will not be withdrawn automatically. 

A student can withdraw from a class online, when applicable, or complete a Schedule Change Form and then submit it to Enrollment Services.

Centralia College strongly encourages students to consult their advisor and funding source before making any schedule changes.

Number:	4.085	Legal Authority:	FERPA Act of 1974
Title:	Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)	Implementation Date:	8-21-1974
Contact:	Enrollment Services/Registrar	Revisions:	6-6-2018, 5-5-2021, 5-3-2023

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 affords students certain rights with respect to their records. Students have the right to:

Inspect and review their education records.  Students may contact Enrollment Services to request an inspection of their records.  A request must be submitted in writing to the Registrar. Centralia College has 45 days from the receipt of the request to arrange for access. 

Request an amendment of their education records. Students may submit a written request to the Registrar if they wish to have an amendment made to their education records. If Centralia College decides not to amend the student’s record as requested, the student will be notified and advised of the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for an amendment.

Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

Disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests does not require the student’s consent. A school official is a person employed by Centralia College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom Centralia College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agency); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, or assisting another school official in performing their tasks. Volunteers and interns serving in any of these capacities are also considered school officials. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill their professional responsibility. Upon request, Centralia College may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which you are currently enrolled, receive services, or seek or intend to enroll.

Prevent disclosure of directory information. Centralia College routinely publishes and discloses directory information about students to various requestors. FERPA defines directory information as information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

Directory information consists of:

• Name
• Field of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Dates of attendance
• Enrollment status
• Degree or certificate earned
• Term Degree or certificate earned
• Honors

Students who would like to block Centralia College from releasing their directory information must submit a request in writing by utilizing the Student Directory Restriction Request form provided by Enrollment Services. 

If a restriction request is in place, Centralia College could be restricted from including the student’s name in the commencement program or from providing verification of enrollment, graduation, or degrees awarded to third parties, including potential employers, insurance companies and sports recruiters. No directory information would be released to any person. Requests for confidentiality are permanent until removed in writing by the student.

File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Centralia College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

Number:	4.090	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.15.820
Title:	Financial Aid Services	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director Financial Aid	Revisions:	5-24-2016, 3-4-2020

Centralia College shall provide financial aid services to eligible students in accordance with Federal and State regulations and guidelines. Financial aid includes federal, state and institutional funds.

Number:	4.095	Legal Authority:	HB 2513
Title:	Financial Obligations	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Fiscal Services	Revisions:	6-25-2020

Students are expected to meet all financial obligations by established deadlines.

Centralia College may remove students from classes by the census date if the student has not paid tuition and fees in full, qualified for a waiver, established a payment plan, or received a guarantee from a third-party payer. The college may revoke registration privilege if the student has unpaid debt of any amount. Financial obligations of $100 and above will be sent to a collections agency as described by Business Office procedures.

Number:	4.100	Legal Authority:	WAC 131-12-010
Title:	Grade Forgiveness & Academic Renewal	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director Enrollment Services	Revisions:	4-13-2015, 6-3-2020

GRADE FORGIVENESS

Grade forgiveness provides the student an opportunity to request to have specific class(es) not calculate into the GPA.

Grade forgiveness will be granted by meeting the following criteria:

• Only grades below a 2.0 GPA can be requested.
• Grade(s) must be at least one year old.

The student must have completed a minimum of 24 units, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, from Centralia College and/or another regionally accredited college/university since the term of the grade forgiveness requested.

Forgiven courses

• will remain on the student’s transcript but will not be calculated in their GPA or units at Centralia College,
• cannot be used as units in any degree, certificate, diploma, or course requirement, and
• cannot be reinstated later.

ACADEMIC RENEWAL

Academic renewal provides the student an opportunity to have entire term(s) not calculate toward the GPA.

Students may request for any term(s) for academic renewal under the following conditions:

• The term(s) requested must be at least one year old.
• The requested term(s) cannot be used previously as units in any degree, certificate or diploma.

Academic renewal grades will remain on the student’s transcript but will not calculate in their GPA or units at Centralia College and cannot be reinstated later. The request must include all courses in the term.

Number:	4.110	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.50.140
Title:	Graduation Appeals	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Vice President, Student Services	Revisions:	11-6-2019, 12-4-2024

The following procedure is equivalent to the Student Complaint/Concern Process (4.060) and is specific to awarding of degrees, courses substitution/waivers, credit evaluation, and/or grades.

Subject of Appeal	First Contact	First Appeal	Appeal to VP	Final Decision
Awarding of Degree	Credential Evaluator	Director of Enrollment Services	Vice President of Student Services	President
Course Substitution/ Waiver	Advisor or Faculty	Dean	Vice President of Instruction	President
Credit Evaluation	Credential Evaluator	Director of Enrollment Services	Vice President of Student Services	President
Grades	Faculty	Dean	Vice President of Instruction	President

 

Number:	4.112	Legal Authority:
Title:	Graduation Application	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director Enrollment Services	Revisions:	3-23-2015, 10-2-2019

Students must apply for graduation through Enrollment Services to receive their degree, certificate, or diploma.

Number:	4.113	Legal Authority:	2SHB 1751
Title:	Hazing Prevention	Implementation Date:	12-6-2022
Contact:	Vice President of Services	Revisions:

Hazing is prohibited within the Centralia College community. Hazing is any conduct committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team or living group (collectively “student groups”) or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such a student group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending Centralia College, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. This prohibition applies to conduct that may occur both on and off campus.

Number:	4.114	Legal Authority:	RCW 1.16.050, RCW 28B.10.039, Senate Bill 5166
Title:	Students - Holidays for Reasons of Faith and Conscience	Implementation Date:	11-6-2014
Contact:	Vice President, Instruction	Reviewed:	6-5-2019, 4-7-2021, 10-2-2024

Policy:

Centralia College will grant reasonable accommodation so that grades are not impacted for students who are absent for reasons of faith or conscience, or for an organized activity conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religious organization.

Such absences must be requested in writing via the request form within the first two weeks of the term and will not incur additional fees for students. Instructors must include the approved language referenced this policy in their syllabi. This policy, and the associated procedure will be posted on the institutional website. Students who have concerns about approval or a grade impact may utilize the student grievance procedure for concerns not directly related to grades, or to the grade appeal process in cases impacting a final grade.

Procedure:

• Students must notify the Instruction Office during the first two weeks of the term of their absence. All requests for authorized absences under this policy must be in writing via the request form and state that the holiday is related to a reason of faith or conscience or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religions organization.

• After an instructor is notified by the Instruction Office of an upcoming absence, the instructor will determine what reasonable adjustments, if any, will need to be made to the student's scheduled classwork or assignments. The instructor shall inform the student in writing via email or Canvas message of these reasonable adjustments within two days of receiving the student's notification.

• If the student's desired absence date is on a day when a test was scheduled or an assignment was due, the instructor may require that the student take the test or submit the assignment before or after the regularly assigned date.

• Regardless of an instructor's class expectations or grading policies, absences authorized under this policy shall not adversely impact a student's grade.

• If a student fails to notify the Instruction Office of an authorized absence during the first two weeks of the term, the instructor is not obligated to make any accommodations for the student's absence or treat the absence as authorized under this policy or the law.

Number:	4.115	Legal Authority:
Title:	Honors	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Vice President Student Services	Reviewed:	4-28-2016, 5-5-2021

Quarterly honors will be documented on the transcript in the appropriate term for all students who take 12 or more decimal graded units and qualify based on their GPA. Students who take less than 12 decimal graded units are not eligible for quarterly honors.

HONOR	QUARTERLY GPA
President's List	3.90 - 4.00
Vice President's List	3.75 - 3.89
Dean's List	3.50 - 3.74

Graduation honors will be documented on the transcript. This applies to any student earning a degree or certificate, who has completed 15 units or the required number of units for their credential. Graduation honors for all Centralia College degrees will be calculated based on attempted Centralia College courses. Commencement ceremony honor medallions will be distributed based on cumulative GPA after Winter term final grades. Students who are eligible for graduation honors after Spring grades are final may request honors and cords from Enrollment Services.

HONORS	CUMULATIVE GPA
Graduated with Highest Honors	3.90 - 4.00
Graduated with High Honors	3.75 - 3.89
Graduated with Honors	3.50 - 3.74

 

Number:	4.118	Legal Authority:
Title:	Maximum Credits	Implementation Date:	5-4-2022
Contact:	Director of Enrollment Services	Revisions:

A student’s academic load may not exceed 25 units per term. A student may register for additional units if unusual circumstances exist and the student has been granted permission by their academic advisor.

The maximum credit policy applies to undergraduate-level courses. This policy does not apply to basic education, continuing education, and non-credit course levels.

Number:	4.121	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.10.057
Title:	Military Credit Acceptance	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Enrollment Services, School Certifying Official	Revisions:	4-28-2016, 2-3-2021

Centralia College will evaluate and grant credit hours for military education based on the recommendations from the American Council on Education's (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. This is in accordance with transfer credit policies at CC and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). Students are required to supply Enrollment Services with an official copy of their Joint Service Transcript (JST), the Community College of the Air Force transcript, or any previous academic transcripts.

Number:	4.122	Legal Authority:	Clery Act
Title:	Missing Student Notification	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Safety & Security Manager	Revisions:	4-23-2019, 11-2-22, 2-7-2024

 

This policy establishes procedures for the Collegiate Housing International Centralia’s response of missing students, as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. A residential student will be considered missing if a roommate, classmate, faculty member, family member, or other campus official has reason to believe that a resident student’s absence is contrary to their behavior and the student has not been seen in “a reasonable amount of time.” “A reasonable amount of time” may vary with the time of day and information available regarding the missing person’s daily schedule, habits, and reliability. Before presuming that a student is missing, reasonable measures should be taken to determine whether those familiar with the student have not seen or heard from the student for an unusual period of time or is aware of the student’s location.

If a student’s absence has occurred under circumstances that are considered suspicious or there are concerns for their safety, they shall be considered missing immediately.

If a student who lives in student residential housing is determined to have been missing for 24 hours, Collegiate Housing International Centralia has only 24 hours after receiving the information to initiate the missing student notification procedures. This does not preclude Collegiate Housing International Centralia from making a determination that a student is missing before the student has been missing for a full 24 hours, or from initiating notification procedures as soon as it is determined that the student is missing.

Once it has been determined that a student is missing the Collegiate Housing International Centralia Manager will contact the Safety & Security Manager. Upon notification, the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) will notify the Vice President of Student Services, Director of Student Life & Involvement, Centralia Police Department, and the Missing Student Contact Person(s) identified by the student on their housing application. The missing students’ contact person will be informed in the event that the student is known as being missing for more than 24 hours.

Contact Information:    

• Collegiate Housing International Centralia Housing Manager 360-970-3487
• Safety & Security Manager 360-506-1192 or 360-623-8888
• Vice President of Student Services 360-688-3827 or 360-623-8385
• Director of Student Life & Involvement 360-623-8120
• Centralia Police Dept. 360-330-7680 or 911

During the housing application process, students may register one or more individuals as a contact for missing person purposes. This information will be kept with Collegiate Housing International Centralia in a secure cabinet or secure electronic database. Missing student contact information is confidential and may only be accessed by authorized Collegiate Housing International Centralia staff, campus officials, and law enforcement officials and for the purpose of a missing student investigation.

If the missing student is under 18 years of age and not emancipated and it has been determined that such a student has been missing for 24 hours, the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) will notify both the student’s custodial parent or guardian and the Missing Student Contact Person, if they have registered one, that the student is missing.

Once determination has been made that a student living in on-campus student housing is missing, the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) will notify local law enforcement of the situation within 24 hours. The only exception is when it was the law enforcement agency that made the determination that the student was missing. 

 

PROCEDURES

The following procedures will go into effect as soon as possible but no longer than 24 hours after Collegiate Housing International Centralia and/or the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) makes the determination that a student who lives in student residential housing has been missing for 24 hours.

The Safety & Security Manager (or designee) will notify the student’s registered Missing Student Contact Person, as soon as possible but not longer than 24 hours after official determination that the student is missing. This contact does not need to be an in-person contact. If multiple contacts are listed, the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) can determine in which order they will be contacted. If the student registers multiple Missing Student Contacts and the first person contacted confirms that the student is missing, the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) must contact each additional contact person in turn, unless the student in question is contacted by Safety & Security or contacts Safety & Security. If the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) is unsuccessful or successful in contacting the named individual or individuals, attempts of contact will be documented as follows:

• Name of official who made the contact; 
• whether contact was made and who was contacted; and
• date and time of contact and how contact was attempted.

If the missing student is under 18 years of age and is not legally independent of their parents the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) has only 24 hours in which to contact (in no required order):

• The custodial parent or guardian,
• The confidential contact person; if the student has identified one.

This does not preclude the Safety & Security Manager (or designee) from contacting the student’s Missing Student Contact Person or the custodial parent or guardian immediately upon determination that the student is missing.

Safety & Security will forward information to the local law enforcement when any student who lives in on-campus student housing has been determined to be missing for 24 hours. This must be done even if the College has campus police or campus security.

Number:	4.125	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.77.230
Title:	Academic Credit for Prior Learning	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Enrollment Services	Revisions:	1-17-2017, 11-6-2019

 

In addition to taking classes from Centralia College or transferring credits from other colleges, there are other ways students may be able to apply credits towards their program. These are called non-traditional credits. Non-traditional credits are granted on a case-by-case basis consistent with non-traditional credit requirements established by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Students receiving non-traditional credit must meet Centralia Colleges degree requirements. Centralia College will recognize four categories of Credit for Non-Traditional Learning, as follows:

• Credit by Testing – Commonly accepted higher education equivalency exams that are documented via a transcript or other official record. Credit by testing includes but is not limited to:
  • • Advanced Placement. Centralia College will grant a minimum elective credit for an Advanced Placement (AP) score of 3 or higher. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official AP results, not transcript notation. AP grade reports should be requested from the College Board and sent to the Enrollment Services office.
    • Cambridge International. Centralia College will grant a minimum elective credit for each Cambridge International (CI) Examination for A-level exam with a passing grade or above for approved examinations. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official CI Examination results, not transcript notation. Duplicate credit for the same subject taken on different exams will not be granted. No grades are posted for A-level exams.
    • International Baccalaureate. Centralia College will grant a minimum elective credit for an International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) exam score of 5 or higher. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official IB results, not transcript notation, that have been submitted to Enrollment Services. 

For International Baccalaureate Exams, Washington community and technical colleges though the Articulation and Transfer Council (ATC) are in the process of conducting a review of Higher-Level exams for grades of 4, along with a comprehensive review of Standard Level (SL) subjects to determine credit award policies for exams with grades of 4 or higher.

• Prior Experiential Learning – Knowledge and skills acquired through experience alone, evaluated by faculty via evaluation of a compilation of work.
• Extra-Institutional Learning – Knowledge and skills acquired outside the institution and verified through third-party certifications, industry-recognized testing/training, or crosswalks.*Refer to Policy 4.121 for the Military Credit Acceptance Policy.
• Course Challenges – Challenge examinations are sufficiently comprehensive to determine that the student has the same knowledge and skills as those students who enroll in, and successfully complete, the course. A student should have previous training, private study, work experience, or other bona fide qualifications indicating the student has knowledge or abilities equivalent to course completers.

Number:	4.128	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.15.605, RCW 28B.10.270
Title:	Refund of Tuition	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Vice President Student Services	Revisions:	5-6-2020

Refunds of tuition are issued in accordance with the following schedule:

• 100% through the 5th day of the term
• 50% from the 6th through the 10th day of the term
• 40% from the 11th through the 15th day of the term
• No refunds after the 15th day

This schedule applies to fall, winter and spring terms and is prorated for summer term.

Exceptions:

Requests for students to have all or part of their tuition and fees refunded, to the original funder, and/or a withdrawal may be considered due to any of the following reasons:

• Medical reasonsin accordance to the RCW¹.
• Military service members called to service in accordance with the RCW².
• Extreme hardships at the discretion and approval of the Director of Enrollment Services or designee.

Number:	4.130	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.15.624, RCW 28B.10.912
Title:	Registration	Implementation Date:	12-17-2002
Contact:	Director, Enrollment Services	Revisions:	2-6-2019, 6-7-2023

Registration is the process of officially enrolling in classes. Only officially registered students may attend class. 

Students can register based upon the following order of their registration status:

• Early
• Priority
• Open

Early Registration

Centralia College provides early registration, which takes place before priority registration.

The following students are eligible for early registration:

• Students with early registration as an approved disability accommodation
• Veterans or spouses/dependents using VA educational benefits or the state veteran waiver
• Students in Bachelors programs
• TRIO students

Priority Registration

Continuing students seeking degrees or certificates are given priority in selecting their classes based on the total Centralia College cumulative units earned. New students seeking degrees or certificates are given priority status once they have completed the required intake steps as determined by the Advising/Counseling Center.

Centralia College has the authority to determine additional populations that can be moved to an earlier registration time, regardless of units earned.

Open Registration

Students interested in taking classes, workshops, non-degree programs, or learning assistance programs for personal enrichment can register during open registration. Students who register during this period do so on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis.

Number:	4.131	Legal Authority:
Title:	Waitlist Policy	Implementation Date:	6-6-2018
Contact:	VP Instruction	Revisions:	2-2-2022

The Instruction Office will determine the classes for which waitlists will be enabled. The "Waitlist Active" period begins at the opening of registration and ends on the next to the last business day before the start of the term.

During the “Waitlist Active” period, the college will automatically register students, if there are no holds or obligations, from a class specific waitlist into that class if it has open seats.  After the waitlist period ends, faculty can authorize the overloading of a full class, with notification to their dean, by signing a student’s registration form, sending an email, or providing a permission number.

After the “Waitlist Active” period through the end of the second day of the term, students can register for any open seats in any class.

From the third day of the term until registration closes, faculty can authorize a student to enroll into their class by signature, email, or permission number.

If a student is enrolled into a class from the waitlist, the college will notify the student using the preferred email listed in ctcLink or other method determined by the college.

In this process, students are responsible for the following:

• Checking their email
• Monitoring their class schedule
• Taking any actions necessary to remove themselves from unwanted classes
• Arranging payment for additional tuition and fees that may result from schedule changes

Number:	4.135	Legal Authority:	SBCTC Policy Manual
Title:	Repeating Courses	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Enrollment Services	Revisions:	11-6-2019, 5-4-2022

Number:	4.150	Legal Authority:
Title:	Student Clubs and Organizations	Implementation Date:	11-6-2019
Contact:	Director, Student Life & Involvement	Revisions:	12-2-2020

Students are free to organize associations for any legal purpose. Student clubs and organizations must be granted a charter by the Associated Students of Centralia College Student Governing Board before they may be officially recognized.

Number:	4.153	Legal Authority:
Title:	Student Email Required Use	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Information Technology	Revisions:	10-1-2014, 11-6-2019, 4-7-2021

Admitted or enrolled students are assigned a Centralia College email address. Students can select a non-college email address as their preferred email account. Centralia College will send all official communication to the preferred email account on record. If a student does not enter and/or designate an email address in ctcLink as “preferred,” all official communications will be sent to the Centralia College email address.

Students are responsible for checking this account regularly. Students who choose an alternative email account do so at their own risk as Centralia College cannot guarantee the security or function of non-college services. Students are expected to read all official emails in a timely manner, and failure to read email, or problems with a non-college email service, are not acceptable excuses for missing official college email communications.

Number:	4.155	Legal Authority:	FERPA
Title:	ctcLink Student Identification Number	Implementation Date:	11-13-2007
Contact:	Vice President, Student Services	Revisions:	4-28-2016, 2-3-2021, 5-1-2024

Students are assigned a student identification number that is not their Social Security number. If a student transfers from another Washington State community or technical college, that ctcLink number will be transferred. Student ID numbers are not released outside the community college system without a student's consent or as allowed by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Number:	4.160	Legal Authority:	RCW 28A.600.027
Title:	Student Publications	Implementation Date:	11-13-2007
Contact:	Director, Student Life & Involvement	Revisions:	11-6-2019, 12-4-2024

Centralia College does not practice prior restraint and recognizes and affirms the editorial independence and press freedom of all student-edited campus media. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently they bear the responsibility for the decisions they make.

Student media are designated public forums and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Student-edited media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty members, staff members, or other agents shall not consider the student media's content when making decisions regarding the media's funding.

Number:	4.165	Legal Authority:	Right to Know Act
Title:	Student Right-to-Know Act	Implementation Date:	1990
Contact:	Director, Financial Aid	Revisions:	11-6-2019

Centralia College shall comply with the provisions of the Student Right-to-Know Act. The Student Right-to-Know Act requires schools to disclose information about graduation rates to current and prospective students and the public. Schools participating in any Federal Student Aid (FSA) Program must disclose completion or graduation rates and transfer-out rates for the general student body. In addition, the regulations also require schools that participate in an FSA Program and offer athletically related student aid to provide information on completion rates, transfer-out rates, and other consumer information to potential student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors.

Number:	4.170	Legal Authority:	WAC 132L-351
Title:	Student Rights & Responsibilities	Implementation Date:	6-11-1987
Contact:	Vice President Student Services	Reviewed:	5-4-2011, 3-9-2015, 8-16-2020

WAC 132L-351-005 Authority. The board of trustees, acting pursuant to RCW 28B.50.140(14), 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 services or their designee. Unless otherwise specified, the student conduct officer shall serve as the principal investigator and administrator for alleged violations of this code.

WAC 132L-351-010 Student Responsibilities. Centralia College is a dynamic learning community that promotes growth and development by offering opportunities to gain knowledge, entrance skills, examine values, and pursue learning options. The college is committed to quality life-long learning through its values of respect, responsibility, and responsiveness. To that end, Centralia College maintains a strong commitment to providing a civil and nondisruptive learning environment. Students are reminded that they assume certain responsibilities of performance and conduct which have been reasonably established in order to accomplish Centralia College's education goals. Therefore, the college expects that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the college community, will comply with the rules and regulations of the college, will maintain high standards of integrity and honesty, and will respect the rights, privileges, and property of other members of the college community.

WAC 132L-351-015 Purpose. The purpose of these rules is to pre-scribe standards of conduct for students of Centralia College. Violations of these standards may be cause for disciplinary action as de-scribed in this code.

WAC 132L-351-020 Definitions. The following definitions shall apply for purpose of this student conduct code:

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

(2) "Conduct review officer" is the vice president of 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.

(3) "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.

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

(5) "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.

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

(7) "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 the document is emailed and deposited in the mail.

(8) "Filing" is the process by which a document is officially de-livered 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.

(9) "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.

(10) "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, persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the college, and persons who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered "students" for purposes of this chapter.

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

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

(13) "Sexual misconduct" has the meaning ascribed to this term in WAC 132L-351-130.

WAC 132L-351-025 Jurisdiction. The student conduct code shall apply to student conduct that occurs on college premises, to conduct that occurs at or in connection with college-sponsored activities, or to off-campus conduct that in the judgment of the college adversely affects the college community or the pursuit of its objectives. Juris-diction 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. Stu-dents are responsible for their conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual receipt of a degree, even though con-duct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment. These standards shall apply to a student's conduct even if the student withdraws from college while a disciplinary matter is pending. The college 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.

WAC 132L-351-030 General policies. (1) Centralia College is an agency of the state of Washington and adheres to all local, state, and federal laws. The college is obligated to demonstrate respect for laws by cooperating in their enforcement.

(2) Centralia College cannot and will not establish regulations that would abridge constitutional rights.

(3) Proper procedures are established to maintain conditions helpful to the effective function of the college, to protect individual students from unfair penalties, and to assure due process. Central-ia College is granted the right by law to adopt rules to govern its operations.

(4) If these rules are broken, the college has the right and the obligation to take that action which is in the best interest of the entire college.

(5) Centralia College reserves the right to impose the provisions of this code and provide further sanctions before or after law enforcement agencies, courts, or other agencies have imposed penalties or otherwise disposed of a case. College hearings are not subject to challenge on the grounds that criminal or civil charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced or in which the defendant has been found not guilty or otherwise not liable. In addition, the college reserves the right to refer incidents to the appropriate civilian authorities or law enforcement agencies.

(6) The ASCC has the right to participate in the formulation and review of all policies and rules pertaining to student conduct and in the enforcement of all such rules as provided by this chapter.

(7) This code will be printed and made available to students.

WAC 132L-351-035 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 free-dom. 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 with-out 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.

WAC 132L-351-040 Prohibited student conduct. 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 consequences for academic dishonesty or abetting in academic dishonesty may be imposed at the discretion of a faculty member up to and including a failing grade for the course. Students should refer to each of their faculty's course syllabus. Further academic consequences may follow consistent with the provisions in any program handbook. Incidents of academic dishonesty may also be refer-red to the student conduct officer for disciplinary action consistent with this chapter in addition to the academic consequences identified above.

(2) 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.

(3) Obstruction or disruption. Conduct, not otherwise protected by law that interferes with, impedes, or otherwise unreasonably hinders:

(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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

(7) Failure to comply with directive. Failure to comply with the direction 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) 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.

(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) Alcohol, drug, and tobacco violations.

(a) Alcohol. The use, possession, delivery, sale, or being observably under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, except as per-mitted by law and applicable college policies.

(b) Marijuana. The use, possession, delivery, sale, or being observably under the influence of marijuana or the psychoactive com-pounds found in marijuana and intended for human consumption, regard-less of form. 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, ex-its, 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, water pipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, vaporizers, and snuff.

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

(12) 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.

(13) 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 132L-351-210.

(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 dis-crimination and harassment. Nonconsensual sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual contact, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) 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.

(i) Dating violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person:

(i) Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and

(ii) Where the existence of such a relationship shall be deter-mined based on a consideration of the following factors:

(A) The length of the relationship;

(B) The type of relationship; and

(C) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship,

(j) Stalking. Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:

(i) Fear for their safety or the safety of others; or

(ii) Suffer substantial emotional distress.

(k) 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 rea-son, 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 conduct. Intoxication is not a defense against allegations that an individual has engaged in nonconsensual sexual con-duct.

(14) Harassment. Unwelcome conduct, including verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct, that is directed at a person because of such per-son'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 or hostile environment for other cam-pus 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.

(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) 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;

(c) Unauthorized use or distribution of someone else's password or other identification;

(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.

(17) 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.

(18) Safety violations. Safety violation includes any 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.

(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) 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.

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

WAC 132L-351-045 Disciplinary sanctions. (1) Administration of the disciplinary procedure is the responsibility of the student con-duct officer. The student conduct officer shall serve as the principal investigator and prosecutor for alleged violations of this code.

(2) In situations of apparent misconduct or apparent unauthorized presence in a college facility, it may be necessary for properly identified college personnel to ask a person to produce evidence of being a currently enrolled student at the college. Failure to comply with a legitimate request for identification from properly identified college personnel is a violation of this code and may result in a disciplinary action if the person is found to be a student. In emergency situations, cases of misconduct, or where there is a substantial danger to the college community or college property, failure to produce identification by a student may result in the assumption by college personnel that the person questioned is not a student and may result in direct civil or criminal action.

(3) The instructor is responsible for conduct in the classroom or any course-related activity or event and is authorized to take such steps as are necessary when behavior of the student disrupts the nor-mal classroom procedure. Instructors may remove a student for the single class session in which such disruptive behavior occurs. When such behavior results in expulsion from a class session, the instructor must report the infraction in writing to the student conduct officer at the earliest opportunity. The student is automatically permitted to return to the next class session pending the outcome of any investigation or disciplinary hearings by the student conduct officer. If the student repeats behavior in any class session that again disrupts the normal classroom procedure, the student may be removed again for that class session by the instructor who shall again report the infraction to the student conduct officer in writing. In all cases involving classroom disruption, the student conduct officer will proceed with the investigation and/or disciplinary hearings in the quickest possible time consistent with the procedural requirements established in this code.

(4) The person in charge of any college office, department, or facility is responsible for conduct in that office, department, or facility and is authorized to take such steps as are necessary when behavior of the student disrupts the normal office procedure. The person in charge may remove a student for the single day in which such disruptive behavior occurs. When such behavior results in expulsion from an office, department, or facility, the person in charge must report the infraction in writing to the student conduct officer at the earliest opportunity. The student is automatically permitted to return the next day pending the outcome of any investigation or disciplinary hearings by the student conduct officer. If the student repeats behavior at any time in the future that again disrupts the normal office procedure, the student may be removed again for a single day by the person in charge who shall again report the infraction to the student conduct officer in writing. In all cases involving office disruption, the student conduct officer will proceed with the investigation and/or disciplinary hearings in the quickest possible time consistent with the procedural requirements established in this code.

(5) The student has the right to appeal any disciplinary action of an instructor or college employee to the student conduct officer in accordance with the procedures set forth in this code.

(6) A student formally charged or under investigation for a violation of this code may not excuse himself or herself from disciplinary hearings by withdrawing from the college.

(7) In addition to initiating disciplinary 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 shall proceed with student disciplinary proceedings regardless of whether the underlying conduct is subject to civil or criminal prosecution.

WAC 132L-351-050 Disciplinary sanctions terms and conditions. (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 or repetition of the same or similar may be cause for more severe disciplinary action. This sanction is not subject to appeal.

(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 dis-missal 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) Summary suspension. Immediate exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities in accordance with this code.

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

(f) Deferred suspension. Notice of suspension from the college with the provision that the student may remain enrolled contingent on meeting any condition(s) specified. Not meeting the contingency shall immediately invoke the suspension for the period of time and under the conditions originally imposed.

(g) 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 re-turn. 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 incur-red 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, psycho-logical or medical evaluation by an appropriately certified or li-censed 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 form 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.

(e) Disqualification from athletics. Any student found by the college to have violated this code related to the use, possession, sale, or delivery of legend drugs is subject to additional sanctions, including disqualification from college-sponsored athletic events.

(f) College or community service. Assignment of labor or responsibilities to any student or student organization with the college or local community. May also include mandatory attendance at educational programs or courses or other assignments.

(g) 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.

WAC 132L-351-055 Initiation of disciplinary action. (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 de-scribe 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 his or her 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 132L-351-045.

(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.

WAC 132L-351-060 Appeal from disciplinary action. (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;

(c) Written reprimands; and

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

WAC 132L-351-065 Brief adjudicative proceedings—Initial hearing. (1) Brief adjudicative proceedings shall be conducted by a con-duct review officer. The conduct review officer 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.

(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 both the parties 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 con-duct 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 132L-351-070 Brief adjudicative proceedings—Review of initial decision. (1) An initial decision is subject to review by the president, provided the respondent 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 each party 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 re-quest for review, whichever is later. The decision on review will contain a notice that judicial review may be available. A request for re-view 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.

WAC 132L-351-075 Student 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 for disqualification of a committee member pursuant to RCW 34.05.425(4).

WAC 132L-351-080 Conduct committee—Procedure and evidence. (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. The chair may shorten this notice period if both par-ties 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, ab-sent 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 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 non-attorney 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 commit-tee, 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 132L-351-085 Student conduct committee hearing procedures. (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 a 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 he/she selects, 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, neither the complainant nor the respondent shall directly question or cross examine one another. Attorneys or advisors 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 132L-351-090 Student 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 con-sideration.

(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 con-duct 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 the respondent, 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 132L-351-095 Appeal from student conduct committee 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 con-duct committee and will normally be limited to a review of those is-sues and arguments raised in the notice of appeal.

(3) The president shall provide a written decision to all parties 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 dismiss-al of the respondent.

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

WAC 132L-351-100 Summary suspension. (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

(c) Poses an ongoing threat of substantial disruption of, or interference with, the operations of the college.

(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 com-munity. If the respondent has been trespassed from the campus, a no-tice against trespass shall be included that warns the student that his or her privilege to enter into or remain on college premises has been withdrawn, that the respondent shall be considered trespassing and subject to arrest for criminal trespass if the respondent enters the college campus other than to meet with the student conduct officer or conduct review officer, or to attend a disciplinary hearing.

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

(a) Will determine 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.

(b) Provide the respondent the 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.

(6) If the student 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.

(7) As soon as practicable following the hearing, the conduct re-view 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.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

WAC 132L-351-105 Readmission after dismissal. A student dis-missed from the college may be readmitted only on written petition to the president. Petitions must indicate reasons that support reconsideration. The president may use whatever review procedures are at the president's disposal in consideration of readmission. The president shall convey a decision in writing to the student within thrty days after completion of the review process.

WAC 132L-351-110 Brief adjudicative proceedings—Authorized. Student conduct appeals involving the following disciplinary actions:

(1) Suspensions of ten instructional days or less;

(2) Disciplinary probation;

(3) Written reprimands;

(4) Any conditions or terms imposed in conjunction with one of the foregoing disciplinary actions; and

(5) Appeals by a complainant in student disciplinary proceedings involving allegations of sexual misconduct in which the student con-duct officer:

(a) Dismisses disciplinary proceedings based upon a finding that the allegations of sexual misconduct have no merit; or

(b) Issues a verbal warning to respondent.

WAC 132L-351-115 Brief adjudicative proceedings—Agency record. The agency record for brief adjudicative proceedings shall consist of any documents regarding the matter that were considered or prepared by the presiding officer for the brief adjudicative proceeding or by the reviewing officer for any review. These records shall be maintained as the official record of the proceedings.

WAC 132L-351-120 Review of rules. These rules will be reviewed annually by the student conduct officer. The student conduct officer, upon determining a need to revise this code shall convene a review committee to make recommendations for change in the code.

SUPPLEMENTAL PROCEDURES FOR TITLE IX GRIEVANCES

WAC 132L-351-200 Title IX supplemental procedures—Order 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 Centralia College's standard disciplinary procedures in WAC 132L-351-005 through 132L-351-095, these supplemental procedures shall take precedence.

WAC 132L-351-210 Prohibited 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, the Centralia College may impose discipli-nary 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 Centralia College employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of Centralia College on an individual's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.

(2) Hostile environment. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable per-son would find to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to Centralia College's educational programs or activities, or employment.

(3) Sexual assault. Sexual assault includes the following con-duct:

(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 deter-mined 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 dis-tress.

WAC 132L-351-220 Title IX jurisdiction. (1) This supplemental procedure applies only if the alleged misconduct:

(a) Occurred in the United States;

(b) Occurred during a Centralia College educational program or activity; and

(c) Meets the definition of sexual harassment as that term is de-fined in this supplemental procedure.

(2) For purposes of this supplemental procedure, an "educational program or activity" is defined as locations, events, or circumstances over which Centralia 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 Centralia College.

(3) Proceedings under this supplemental procedure must be dis-missed 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 Centralia College from pursuing other disciplinary action based on allegations that the respondent violated other provisions of Centralia College's student conduct code, and this chapter.

(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 student conduct officer 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 132L-351-230 Initiation of discipline. (1) Upon receiving the Title IX investigation report from the Title IX coordinator, the student conduct officer will independently review the report to deter-mine whether there are sufficient grounds to pursue a disciplinary action against the respondent for engaging in prohibited conduct under Title IX.

(2) If the student conduct officer determines that there are sufficient grounds to proceed under these supplemental procedures, the student conduct officer 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);

(c) Set forth the facts underlying the allegation(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 witness-es on the party's behalf;

(ii) An advisor may be an attorney; and

(iii) Centralia 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 132L-351-240 Prehearing procedures. (1) Upon receiving the disciplinary notice, the chair of the student conduct committee will send a hearing notice to all parties, in compliance with WAC 132L-351-080. In no event will the hearing date be set less than ten 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 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 132L-351-250 Rights of parties. (1) The Centralia College's student conduct procedures, this chapter 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 ad-visor. 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 ad-visor, 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 132L-351-260 Evidence. 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, in-formation protected by the following:

(a) Spousal/domestic partner privilege;

(b) Attorney-client and attorney work product privileges;

(c) Privileges applicable to members of the clergy and priests;

(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 132L-351-270 Initial order. (1) In addition to complying with WAC 132L-351-090, 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;

(c) Makes findings of fact supporting the determination of responsibility;

(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 educational programs or activities; and

(h) Describes the process for appealing the initial order to the college's president.

(2) The committee chair will serve the initial order on the par-ties simultaneously.

WAC 132L-351-280 Appeals. (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 WAC 132L-351-095.

(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.

Number:	4.172	Legal Authority:	1.360 Travel Regulations 4.170 Student Rights & Responsibilities
Title:	Student Travel	Implementation Date:	5-4-2011
Contact:	Vice President, Student Services	Reviewed:	3-9-2015, 1-6-2021

The purpose of this policy is to provide the college community and specifically, students and student organizations, with procedures and safety guidelines on college sanctioned travel and registered student organization travel. Student travel is an important activity to the student experience at Centralia College.

College-sanctioned student travel is an organized event that is initiated, planned, and arranged by a member of the college’s faculty, staff, or chartered student organization and is approved by a college department.

In this policy, college-sanctioned travel occurs when any of the following applies:

• travel is recognized by the college as professional, educational, or is one in which the student group is serving as a representative of the college;
• travel is supervised by a faculty or staff members serving in their official capacity;
• institutional, departmental, or organizational resources are used;
• travel to the activity or event is funded and undertaken using a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the college with college-approved driver, privately owned vehicle adequately covered by liability insurance with driver has valid driver’s license, or other modes of transportation secured by Centralia College (e.g., bus, train, airplane); or
• travel is undertaken under the scope, direction, or election of a college department, class, office, learning community, study abroad program, or chartered student organization, or their representative.

This policy does not apply to transportation undertaken by students to attend out-of-town recreational activities, or to engage in student teaching, internships, practicums, co-operative education observations or research.

To request approval, members of the faculty, staff, or chartered student organizations who organize activities covered by this policy must submit completed applicable attachments or forms, along with the required documents and information, to the appropriate office for approval. The request should be submitted at least 10 working days in advance of travel to the activity or event.

• Procedures and forms for any student travel that is not part of a course offered by Centralia College are available from the appropriate non-instructional office (Student Life, Athletics, TRIO, International Student Program Office, etc.).
• Procedures and forms for any student travel that is part of a course offered by Centralia College are available from the Office of Instruction.

Number:	4.175	Legal Authority:	RCW 28B.50.140
Title:	Tuition and Fee Waivers	Implementation Date:
Contact:	Director, Enrollment Services	Revisions:	3-6-2009, 11-6-2019, 12-4-2024

The college participates in the state and State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) mandatory tuition waivers and only those optional waivers authorized by the Board of Trustees.

Number:	4.178	Legal Authority:	DCL GEN 08-12, page 96
Title:	Vaccinations	Implementation date:	3-4-2020
Contact:	Vice President Human Resources	Revisions:

Centralia College does not require students to be vaccinated. Centralia College will maintain compliance with vaccination requirements of individually certified programs.

Number:	4.180	Legal Authority:
Title:	Veterans & Military Educational Services	Implementation Date:	6-6-2018
Contact:	Enrollment Services, School Certifying Official	Revisions:	10-3-2018, 6-7-2023

Centralia College is approved to offer VA Educational Benefits and Tuition Assistance (TA). All veterans or dependents of veterans seeking veterans assistance or tuition assistance to attend College should be referred to Enrollment Services.