Common Questions

Q. Who can file a report or complaint with Student Conduct?

A. Any current member of the Western Washington University community: student, faculty, or staff.

Q. How do I report a problem to Student Conduct?

A. Student Conduct is located in the Dean of Students Office, Viking Union 506. The office can be reached by phone at (360) 650-3706 or by e-mail address is student.life@wwu.edu

Q. Are the police informed?

A. Students are always encouraged to inform University Police of a crime, but the choice to file a formal report with the police will nearly always be the student’s decision. If there is cause to believe that other members of the University community may be at risk, the Student Conduct Officer will inform University Police.

Q. What are the possible sanctions?

A. Sanctions imposed may include one or more of the following. Sanctions may be modified to meet the circumstances of the particular case.

• Warning: A formal written notice to the student that a violation of the code has occurred, and that further violations may result in additional sanctions under the code.
• Conditional Status: A probationary status imposed for a specific period of time, during which the student must demonstrate conduct that conforms to university standards. Conditions restricting the student's privileges or eligibility for activities may be imposed. Violations of any conditions specified in the notice of conditional status or violations of any other university policies or regulations during the period of the sanction may result in additional sanctions under the code.
• Loss of Privileges: A student may be denied specific privileges (i.e., participation in specific activities, restriction from specific areas of campus, etc.) on a temporary or permanent basis. Violations of any conditions specified in the notice of loss of privileges or violations of any other university policies or regulations during the period of the sanction may result in additional sanctions under the code.
• Educational Activities: A student may be required to engage in educational activities related to violation(s) of the code. Such activities may include, but are not limited to required attendance at educational programs, community service, conducting research projects, writing assignments, and/or meeting with campus officials.
• Restriction from Contacting Others ("no contact" order). A student may be restricted from direct or indirect physical, verbal, or electronic contact with another person and/or group. Indirect or direct contact made with another person or group while a "no contact" order is in place may result in additional sanctions under the code.
• Assessment, Counseling, or Treatment Programs. A student may be required to participate in an assessment, counseling, and/or treatment program (at the student's expense), to address substance abuse, anger issues, or other issues or types of behaviors that pose a threat to their safety or well-being, or the safety or well-being of others.
• Restitution: A student may be required to provide compensation for loss, damage, or injury resulting from a violation of the code. Restitution may take the form of monetary or material replacement or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for the loss, damage, and/or injury caused.
• Parental Notification: Parents may be notified of conduct findings when a student under the age of twenty-one is found responsible for violations involving alcohol and/or drugs. When possible, students whose parents are to be notified will be informed before such notification occurs and given an opportunity to initiate contact with their parents.
• Residence Hall Relocation: A student's on-campus living arrangements may be transferred to another residence hall or apartment.
• Termination of University Residences Agreement: A student may be removed from their campus residence hall or apartment and their housing agreement terminated.
• Disciplinary Suspension: A student may be removed from the university for a designated period of time, after which the student will be eligible to return. While suspended, the student is trespassed from all university facilities and prohibited from participating in official university functions. Specific conditions for readmission to the university may be imposed (e.g., counseling, completion of substance abuse treatment, etc.).
• Deferred Suspension from the University: A student may receive a notice of deferred suspension from the university, with a provision that they are allowed to remain enrolled contingent on meeting specific conditions. Failure to meet any condition(s) specified in the notice of deferred suspension will result in immediate suspension from the university.
• Disciplinary Expulsion:A student may be permanently separated from the university. A student who has been expelled is not eligible for readmission.

Q. What happens in a disciplinary hearing?

A. The Student Conduct Officer will determine the accuracy and responsibility of the allegation(s) in a meeting with the accused student. Within seven business days of the meeting, the Student Conduct Officer shall notify the student in writing of the findings and decision. The decision letter will include a statement of the student's option for a review by the Appeals Board or the Dean of Students. If there are multiple individuals involved in the incident, and if it is deemed necessary to determine responsibility, individual decision letters will be mailed to each student seven business days after the final meeting for the specific incident.