Your Rights

Community standards apply to individuals from the time of application until awarding of a degree. The standards apply on university premises, during university sponsored activities (including transit), to online behavior, and to off-campus behavior when it negatively affects the university community. WAC 504-26-015. When engaged with the community standards process, we want you to know your rights. We are here to protect the opportunities and success of all members of our Cougar community and as a WSU student, your education is our priority. We have outlined your rights and included links to the related Washington Administrative Codes (WAC) below. 

Sharing your experience

You are assumed not responsible

You are assumed not responsible for the reported incident unless it is determined that you were “more likely than not” responsible at your community standards hearing. WAC 504-26-040

You do not have to self-incriminate

You get to choose what information you want to share. You do not have to share any information which may incriminate you. You will not be viewed negatively if you choose not to share specific information. WAC 504-26-045

You have access to your information

At any point throughout the process, even before you meet for your community standards hearing, you can request to view your file with details and information related to the incident.

You can provide documentation

Sharing your information ensures that your experience is part of the conversation and is added to the conduct file. You can provide a written statement, submit additional documentation (such as text messages, emails, phone logs, etc.), and provide witnesses. 

You have a responsibility to participate

You will benefit from actively engaging in the process. We want you to be involved. If you choose not to attend in the community standards process will continue in your absence.

Rights when reporting an incident or if you were impacted by an incident.

Once an incident has been reported to the University, the term "reporting party" is used to refer to the person or group who filed the report. The person directly impacted by the incident is referred to as the “complainant.” In some cases, the “reporting party” and the “complainant” could be the same person.

Privacy, but not necessarily confidentiality

    • Incident reports and conduct files are not released to third parties except when authorized by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) or where release is otherwise required by law.
    • The person or group named in the incident report (respondent) is allowed to review the incident report as part of the community standards process. In most cases, the name and information of all students will be removed if a physical copy of the report is provided.
    • In certain cases, conduct records could be subject to public records request. Information protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is removed prior to releasing the record. 

Free from retaliation or harassment

    • The respondent will be warned that they are prohibited from retaliating against the complainant, reporting parties, and witnesses.  Any retaliation or attempts to discourage anyone from being involved in the community standards process are considered as additional violations to community standards.

Complainant: Being informed of the outcome 

    • The complainant may be notified of the outcome when the crime is violent in nature. 

Reporting Party: Decision not to initiate the community standards process 

    • If the Center for Community Standards decides not to initiate a conduct proceeding, the Center for Community Standards must notify the reporting party of the reasons for the decision and how to seek review of the decision. 

A complainant may be designated as a "party" and provided additional rights when the incident involves Title IX, or at the discretion of the Dean of Students or their designee. WAC 504-26-10, Section 14.