(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 they select, in accordance with RCW 34.05.449. The chair shall ensure 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 college's case.
(6) All testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation. Except as otherwise provided in this section, evidence shall be admitted or excluded in accordance with RCW 34.05.452.
(7) The chair has the discretion to determine whether a respondent may directly question any witnesses; and if not, to determine whether questions must be submitted to the chair to be asked of witnesses, or to allow questions to be asked by an attorney or advisor for the respondent.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140(13), 28B.10.900, 28B.10.904, 28B.10.906, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 26-13-103, s 132V-121-150, filed 6/16/26, effective 7/17/26.]