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*Formerly part of the University Handbook
Board of Regents Governance

Standing Orders

Chapter 6



Authority for Washington Administrative Code Rule Making



1.  Authority of the Board

The University of Washington's Board of Regents has full authority under the state's Administrative Procedure Act for promulgating Washington Administrative Code (WAC) rules as defined in Chapter 34.05 RCW. The University's rules are contained in Title 478 WAC and include those matters that are defined as "rule" under RCW 34.05.010(16), which also specifically exempts "standards of admission, academic advancement, academic credit, graduation and the granting of degrees, employment relationships, or fiscal processes" from the rule-making process.

2.  Authority Delegated to the University President

The University President is delegated by the Board to establish Washington Administrative Code emergency rules and amendments as defined in RCW 34.05.350. Per statute, emergency WAC rules are temporary and require adoption by the Board if they are to become permanent WAC rules.  The University President is also delegated the responsibility for expedited amendments and repeals to existing WAC rules within the limitations set forth in RCW 34.05.353. Expedited rules are generally "housekeeping" in nature but can prevent WAC rules from becoming outdated or inaccurate.

3.  Petition Process

Under state law, any person may petition the Board to adopt a new WAC rule, or amend or repeal an existing Title 478 WAC rule under its authority. Any such petition must be submitted to the University's Rules Coordination Office in writing, using the form legally established for that purpose. The Board shall consider the petition at its first regular meeting held not less than 30 days after submission of the petition or at any such earlier regular or special meeting as the Board may determine. Within 60 days after submission of such petition, the Board shall either deny the petition in writing or initiate formal rule-making procedures as provided by state law.

BR, November 14, 2013 [Effective January 1, 2014]; [formerly Standing Orders, Chapter 8] July 11, 2019.

For additional delegations of authority, see:

  • Board of Regents Governance, Bylaws, Article V, "Officers of the University"
  • Executive Order No. 1, "The Office of the President"
  • Executive Order No. 4, "The Provost"
  • Executive Order No. 6, "The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), UW Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine, University of Washington"
  • Executive Order No. 7, "The Vice President for Minority Affairs"
  • Executive Order No. 9, "The Vice President for Human Resources"
  • Executive Order No. 11, "The Vice President for External Affairs"
  • Executive Order No. 12, "The Deans"
  • Executive Order No. 14, "Chancellor, UW Bothell and UW Tacoma
  • Executive Order No. 18, "The University Ombud"
  • Executive Order No. 62, "The Vice President for University Advancement"
  • Executive Order No. 63, "The Vice President for UW Information Technology and Chief Information Officer"
  • Administrative Orders: Delegations of Authority