Boards & Resolution Options

Formal Hearing

The Formal Hearing is used when student behavior reported to the Center for Community Standards (CCS), or pattern of behavior, may warrant expulsion from Washington State University (WSU). Or when behavior reported to CCS about a Registered Student Organization (RSO) may warrant loss of recognition upon a responsible finding at the Formal Hearing.  

Formal Hearing steps in the process: 

  1. A student or RSO is sent a notice of referral to a Formal Hearing by CCS. 

  1. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) sends a notice of hearing to the student or RSO with dates and times. 

  1. The student or RSO, WSU, and other parties named in the notice of hearing may submit evidence to OAH. 

  1. A pre-hearing conference (PHC) with all parties named in the notice of hearing is held and an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) makes evidentiary rulings.  

  1. A Formal Hearing is held with all parties named in the notice of hearing and an ALJ makes determinations of responsibility. 

  1. An ALJ writes a decision letter, that is then distributed to the student or RSO by OAH. 

OAH has 10 days from the date the Formal hearing concludes on to distribute the decision letter to the student or RSO. This can be extended to 30 days when delays occur. 

University Appeals Board

The University Appeals Board (UAB) is used when a student submits a timely appeal related to a responsible finding for a non-academic integrity violation. 

UAB steps in the process:  

  1. A student submits a timely appeal to CCS. 

  1. A UAB is assembled from a pool of board members. 

  1. The UAB is held, and the UAB reviews documentary evidence.  

  1. The UAB writes a decision letter, and CCS distributes the decision letter to the student. 

CCS has 10 days from the date of the UAB’s conclusion to distribute the decision letter to the student. This can be extended to 30 days when delays occur. 

Academic Integrity Hearing Board

The Academic Integrity Hearing board (AIHB) is used when a student submits a timely appeal related to a responsible finding for an academic integrity violation. 

AIHB steps in the process: 

  1. A student submits a timely appeal to CCS. 

  1. An AIHB is assembled from a pool of board members. 

  1. The AIHB is held, and the AIHB reviews documentary evidence. 

  1. The AIHB writes a decision letter, and CCS distributes the decision letter to the student. 

CCS has 10 days from the date of the AIHB’s conclusion to distribute the decision letter to the student. This can be extended to 30 days when delays occur. 

Suspension Hearings

The Suspension Hearing is used when student behavior reported to the Center for Community Standards (CCS), or pattern of behavior, may warrant suspension from Washington State University (WSU).

Suspension Hearing steps in the process:

  1. A student is sent a notice of investigative meeting and may provide information to CCS.
  2. A student is sent a notice of hearing with dates and times for when the hearing will occur.
  3. A Suspension Hearing is held, and a Conduct Officer determines responsibility.
  4. The Conduct Officer writes a decision letter and distributes the decision letter to the student.

CCS has 10 days from the date of the Suspension Hearing’s conclusion to distribute the decision letter to the student. This can be extended to 30 days when delays occur.

Agreed Resolution

Agreed resolutions can be used at the discretion of the Center for Community Standards (CCS).

Agreed Resolution steps in the process:

  1. A student is sent a draft of the agreed resolution to review and sign.
  2. A student signs an agreed resolution if they agree with the terms.

If terms of an Agreed Resolution cannot be met between a student and CCS. The case will be resolved through a different resolution pathway.