Community Standards Boards

• Formal Hearing

  The Formal Hearing is used in student conduct when student behavior reported to the Center for Community Standards (CCS) may warrant expulsion from Washington State University (WSU) upon a student's responsible finding at the Formal Hearing. 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.
  2. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) sends a notice of hearing to the student or RSO with dates and times.
  3. The student or RSO, WSU, and other parties named in the notice of hearing may submit evidence to OAH.
  4. 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. 
  5. A Formal Hearing is held with all parties named in the notice of hearing and an ALJ makes determinations of responsibility.
  6. 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.

• Community Accountability Board

  The Community Accountability Board (CAB) is used in student conduct when student behavior reported to the Center for Community Standards (CCS) may warrant suspension from Washington State University (WSU) upon a student's responsible finding by the CAB. 

  CAB steps in the process:

  1. A student is sent a notice of hearing for a CAB by CCS which includes dates and times.
  2. A CAB is assembled from a pool of board members.
  3. The CAB is held with the student(s), and the CAB reviews documentary and testimonial evidence related to the case. 
  4. The CAB writes a decision letter, and CCS distributes the decision letter to the student.

  CCS has 20 days from the date the CAB concludes on to distribute the decision letter to the student.

• University Appeals Board

  The University Appeals Board (UAB) is used in student conduct when a student submits a timely appeal for a responsible finding issued to them by a Formal Hearing, Conduct Officer Hearing (COH), or a Community Accountability Board (CAB). 

  UAB steps in the process: 

  1. A student submits a timely appeal to CCS.
  2. A UAB is assembled from a pool of board members.
  3. The UAB is held, and the UAB reviews documentary evidence. 
  4. The UAB writes a decision letter, and CCS distributes the decision letter to the student.

  CCS has 20 days from the date the UAB concludes on to distribute the decision letter to the student for COH, and CAB cases. CCS has 30 days from the date the Formal Hearing concludes on to distribute the decision letter to the student for Formal Hearing cases.

• Academic Integrity Hearing Board

  The Academic Integrity Hearing board (AIHB) is used in student conduct when a student submits a timely appeal for a responsible finding issued to them by an instructor at WSU.

  AIHB steps in the process:

  1. A student submits a timely appeal to CCS.
  2. An AIHB is assembled from a pool of board members.
  3. The AIHB is held, and the AIHB reviews documentary evidence.
  4. The AIHB writes a decision letter, and CCS distributes the decision letter to the student.

  CCS has 20 days from the date the AIHB concludes on to distribute the decision letter to the student.