Step one: Employees and students must make a written complaint concerning discriminatory behavior to the affirmative action officer or designee.

(1) Complaints may be held in confidence only to the extent allowed under Washington's public disclosure law, chapter 42.17 RCW. Formal action against the person accused may not be taken on behalf of the complainant unless the complainant consents to be identified to the one accused in connection with the investigation.

(2) The complainant may bring a person of his or her choice to the initial or subsequent complaint meetings.

(3) The affirmative action officer or designee shall give a copy of these regulations and any applicable board policy to the person making the formal complaint and to the accused.

(4) The result of that consultation and any investigation made may be communicated to the complainant before any further action is taken.

(5) An informal hearing may be substituted for investigation if the complainant and the accused agree. The affirmative action officer or designee will be responsible for investigating the complaint and discussing the complaint with the accused. The affirmative action officer will make a written recommendation to the president within a reasonable time following the close of the investigation or hearing.

(6) Appropriate corrective measures will be decided by the president of the district upon consultation with the affirmative action officer and the appropriate administrators or supervisors involved. If an accused employee or student disagrees with the determination or appropriateness of the corrective measures, that individual may contest those measures through the appropriate staff grievance procedures, if they are covered by an agreement, or the student disciplinary code.

(7) Information will be entered in the personnel or student file only to the extent that a formal reprimand or other disciplinary action has been taken. If no disciplinary action is taken, the affirmative action officer will keep a record of the investigation accessible to the president, the complainant and the accused for a period of three years and then that record will be destroyed. If a formal complaint is filed with an outside state or federal agency, files will be maintained until the complaint is resolved. When such files are used, written notice will be placed in the file indicating the person using the file and the date used.