RIGHTS WHEN REPORTING AN INCIDENT OR WHEN INVOLVED IN 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.