(1) Complaints. Any member of the university community may submit a complaint that a student or recognized or registered student organization violated the standards of conduct. In matters that would constitute a violation of executive policy 15, the complaint must be initiated through CCR. In addition, CCS may initiate conduct proceedings when it receives any direct or indirect report of conduct that may violate the standards of conduct.

(2) Decision not to initiate the community standards process. Except as provided below, after reviewing the initial information, if the conduct officer determines that additional action from CCS is not warranted, the conduct officer dismisses the matter. If the conduct officer decides not to initiate a conduct proceeding, the conduct officer must notify the reporting party in writing of the decision, the reasons for the decision, and how to seek review of the decision. Conduct matters may be reopened if new relevant information becomes known. A conduct officer cannot dismiss a matter received from CCR where CCR completed a formal investigation implicating Title IX sexual harassment within the university's Title IX jurisdiction, as defined by university executive policy 15, regardless of the investigation's outcome. In such cases, the conduct officer must refer the matter to a conduct board hearing, which must be held within 60 days of the date the CCR formal investigation report was received, unless good cause exists to extend the date of the hearing or the matter is resolved through agreement or alternative dispute resolution.

(3) Agreement and alternative dispute resolution. A conduct officer may resolve a matter by agreement. Agreements may be reached directly or through alternative dispute resolution including, but not limited to, shuttle diplomacy or mediation. When resolution of a matter is reached by agreement or alternative dispute resolution, the agreement must be in writing and signed by the parties and the conduct officer. In the agreement, the parties must be advised in writing that:

(a) The disposition is final and they are waiving any right to a hearing on the matter, including any right to appeal; and

(b) If any party decides not to sign the agreement, and the matter proceeds to a hearing, neither the agreement nor a party's refusal to sign will be used against either party at the hearing.

(4) Referral for adjudication. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, if CCS determines that a conduct hearing is warranted, and the matter is not resolved through agreement or alternative dispute resolution, the matter is handled through either a conduct officer hearing (brief adjudication) in accordance with WAC 504-26-402, or conduct board hearing (full adjudication) in accordance with WAC 504-26-403. In determining which process is appropriate, CCS considers factors including, but not limited to, the nature and severity of the allegations, the respondent's past contacts with CCS, and the range of possible sanctions that could be assigned. A student may request that a conduct board hear the case, but the final decision regarding whether to refer the matter to the conduct board for hearing is made by CCS and is not subject to appeal.