A respondent is a student who is alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code.
We use a secure web process to manage student conduct notices. The email you received contains a link. Use your NetID and Student ID number to authenticate and access the notice from our office. This notice explains the alleged policy violations and outlines the next steps of the process. This is done to ensure your privacy and is more secure than email.
At the investigative interview, the conduct officer will review how the student conduct process works and the specific allegations of your case. Preparation for an investigative interview is different for each student but may include reviewing the initial investigation notice and preparing any questions you may have for the conduct officer. In advance of the interview, you could consider gathering documents, photos, or evidence that might help you explain your view of what happened.
A University Respondent Resource is available to assist you in understanding the student conduct process. A Respondent Resource can meet with you to discuss the overall process, your rights in the process, how to complete forms and letters, and how to prepare for all parts of the conduct proceeding including full hearings. Email cssc@uw.edu to request to meet with a Respondent Resource.
Yes, you may be accompanied by one support advisor of your choice. This advisor can be a family member, friend, an attorney licensed to practice in Washington, or anyone else you identify. The advisor’s role is to provide support to you during the process. The advisor may not speak on your behalf or interfere with any aspect of the process, as determined by the conduct officer. You will need to complete a Third-party Disclosure form and return it to your conduct officer for a support advisor to accompany you. Refer to the Accessing Legal Services page for more information about attorney participation.
All decisions are made based on a preponderance of the evidence, or is it more likely or less likely that a violation of the Student Conduct Code occurred.
The full hearing is a continuation of the fact-finding process in which the person who will make the decisions about the outcome of the case moves from the conduct officer to the hearing officer. Learn more about the full hearing process here.
During the fact-finding process, if the facts of the case warrant the consideration of suspension or dismissal as a disciplinary sanction, the conduct officer will request that a full hearing be initiated to continue the fact-finding process. This is not a determination of responsibility. Learn more about full hearings here.
You have the right to request an Administrative Review of the decision (“Initial Order”) in your case. A request for Administrative Review must be submitted via email to cssc@uw.edu within 21 days of the date of the initial order. If you would like to speak to someone about an Administrative Review please contact cssc@uw.edu.
Sanctions are determined on a case-by-case basis. Even if multiple individuals are involved in an incident, sanctions are assigned individually. The following factors are used in determining an appropriate sanction for a violation of the Student Conduct Code:
- The seriousness, severity, persistence, or pervasiveness of the prohibited conduct;
- The nature or violence (if applicable) of the prohibited conduct;
- The impact on the complainant (reporter) and/or University community;
- The respondent’s past disciplinary record with the University;
- Whether the respondent has accepted responsibility for the prohibited conduct;
- The maintenance of a safe, non-discriminatory, and respectful environment conducive to learning; and/or
- Any other mitigating, aggravating, or compelling factors that the presiding officer determines to be relevant and admissible
Please refer to the sanctions page for more information.
Disciplinary records are maintained separately from academic records and do not appear on transcripts.
Disciplinary records are maintained for 6 years from the date of the final order or until their administrative purpose has been served. Your disciplinary record may not be shared with anyone without your written permission to do so. Please refer to the University page on FERPA for more information about student privacy.