WAC 132A-129-020

In keeping with the student rights and responsibilities, students in cases of academic dishonesty have a right to due process.

If a student disagrees with an instructor's determination that an academic honesty violation has occurred, the following steps are followed:

(1) Step 1: Appeal to instructor.

(a) The student should collect evidence demonstrating that the work was their own. Decisions of the college will be determined based on admissible evidence.

(b) Students bear the burden of proving they are the originator of course work. The standard of evidence is the preponderance of the evidence.

(c) At the one-on-one meeting with the instructor, the student should present their evidence. If the instructor finds the evidence compelling, the instructor may lift the academic disciplinary action and no further action or appeal is necessary.

(d) Regardless of the outcome of the meeting, the instructor provides a written summary of the meeting and its findings to the student within seven days.

(e) If the instructor finds the student in violation of the conduct code, the instructor notifies the student conduct officer of the findings through a CARE report. If the student accepts the instructor's decision, the student rights and responsibilities process is followed. If the student plans an appeal to the dean, the student conduct officer views the case as pending.

(2) Step 2: Appeal to dean.

(a) If the case is not resolved in the one-on-one meeting, the student may submit an appeal, including evidence, to the dean who supervises the faculty member, within 14 days after the student receives the written summary of the meeting with the faculty member.

(b) The dean meets with both the student and the faculty member and reviews the evidence they provide within 14 days.

(c) The dean provides a written decision to the student, the faculty member, and the student conduct officer within seven days after the meeting.

(d) If the dean clears the student of violating the academic honesty code, the process ends.

(e) If the dean finds the student responsible, the student rights and responsibilities process is followed.

(3) Appeals of conduct officer decisions for academic honesty are heard by the student conduct committee as per the student rights and responsibilities.