(1) An initial decision is subject to review by the president or his or her designee, provided the respondent files a written request for review with the conduct review officer within twenty-one calendar days of service of the initial decision.

(2) The president or designee 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 or designee 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 proceedings must be referred to the student disciplinary 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 calendar days of the initial decision or of the request for review, whichever is later. The order on review will contain a notice that judicial review may be available. A request for review may be deemed to have been denied if the reviewing officer does not make a disposition of the matter within twenty calendar days after the request is submitted.

(5) If the president or designee 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 disciplinary committee for a disciplinary hearing. The president or designee may enter an interim order suspending the student until a hearing can be held by the student disciplinary committee. The interim order shall provide a brief explanation as to facts supporting the interim order of suspension and give the necessary notices that the case has been referred to the student disciplinary committee.