Washington Administrative Code Title 132F - Seattle Colleges
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 132F is dedicated to the Seattle Colleges. This title contains the official rules and regulations adopted by the Seattle Colleges District's Board of Trustees, governing various aspects of the colleges' operations, including student conduct, facility use, administrative procedures, and personnel matters.
The Seattle Colleges District encompasses Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, and South Seattle College, and these WACs apply across the district unless specified otherwise for a particular campus.
Here's a breakdown of the key areas covered in WAC Title 132F:
I. Governance and Administration:
Appointing Authority (Chapter 132F-01): Defines the authority for appointments within the college district.
Seattle College District Board of Trustees—Rules and Regulations (Chapter 132F-104): Outlines the procedures and regulations governing the Board of Trustees, including how items are submitted for review and approval.
Procedures for Adjudicative Proceedings (Chapter 132F-108): Establishes the formal legal processes for contested cases, hearings, and appeals, ensuring due process for individuals involved in disputes with the college. This includes rules on notice, service of process, presentation of evidence, and final orders.
Election Rules (Chapter 132F-112): Details the rules for elections within the college district, such as for student government or other representative bodies.
Nepotism Policy (Chapter 132F-113): Sets forth rules to prevent conflicts of interest related to the employment of relatives.
Bidding Procedures for Purchasing and Contracting (Chapter 132F-164): Governs the processes for procurement of goods and services, ensuring fair and transparent bidding practices.
Access to Public Records (Chapter 132F-168): Outlines the procedures for the public to request and obtain access to records held by the Seattle Colleges, in compliance with Washington's Public Records Act.
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Rules (Chapter 132F-325): Details how the Seattle Colleges comply with SEPA requirements for projects and actions that may have environmental impacts.
II. Student Life and Conduct:
Seattle Community College Student Policies and Procedures (Chapter 132F-120): A broad chapter covering general student policies.
Student Activities, Rights and Discipline (Chapter 132F-121): This is a very significant chapter, detailing the rights and responsibilities of students, and the procedures for addressing student misconduct. It covers:
Student Conduct Generally: Expectations for student behavior.
Student Misconduct: Defines types of misconduct that may lead to disciplinary action.
Instructor Sanctions: Steps instructors can take for academic dishonesty or classroom misconduct.
Disciplinary Jurisdiction: The scope of the college's authority over student misconduct.
Initiation of Discipline: How complaints are filed and investigations initiated.
Vice-President's Review and Action: The process for initial review and potential actions by the Vice-President for Student Services.
Disciplinary Actions: Types of sanctions that can be imposed (e.g., warnings, probation, suspension, expulsion).
Appeals and Referrals: Procedures for appealing disciplinary decisions, often involving a Student Conduct Committee.
Student Conduct Committee Hearings: Detailed rules for formal hearings, including notice, evidence presentation, and committee orders.
President's Review and Final College Order: The process for the college president to review and issue final decisions on disciplinary cases.
Reinstatement after Suspension or Expulsion: Procedures for students to seek readmission.
Summary and Emergency Suspensions: Rules for immediate suspensions in cases of imminent threat.
Maintenance of Student Discipline Records: Standards for record-keeping and disposal.
Student Complaints (within 132F-121): Procedures for students to formally complain against employees or other students, including informal and formal processes, and specific provisions for grade complaints.
Title IX Regulations: Sections within this chapter are updated to comply with current Title IX regulations regarding sexual harassment and discrimination.
General Conduct (Chapter 132F-124): Broader rules about conduct on college property.
Required and Emergency Medical Leaves of Absence (Chapter 132F-126): Policies regarding student leaves for medical reasons.
Library Regulations (Chapter 132F-162): Rules for the use of college library facilities and resources.
Refund of Tuition and Other Fees (Chapter 132F-605): Policies governing tuition refunds.
III. Campus Facilities and Operations:
Traffic Rules and Regulations (Chapter 132F-116): Rules governing vehicle operation, parking, and pedestrian traffic on campus.
Policy on the Use of the College Facilities (Chapter 132F-136): General rules for using college buildings and grounds.
Use of Facilities for First Amendment Activities (Chapter 132F-142): Balances the college's educational mission with the rights of individuals and groups to engage in constitutionally protected speech, assembly, and expression, setting "time, place, and manner" regulations for such activities.
IV. Personnel and Employment:
Relocation Benefits (Chapter 132F-20): Rules related to benefits for employees who are required to relocate.
Tenure (Chapter 132F-200): Regulations governing the process for faculty tenure, including criteria and procedures.
Affirmative Action Program (Chapter 132F-148): Rules related to the college's affirmative action policies (though some older chapters on sexual harassment, like 132F-419, have been repealed and likely superseded by updated Title IX rules within other chapters).
General Standards of Qualifications for Community and Technical College Personnel: While not a direct chapter in 132F, related procedures (like Pro508) reference WAC 131-16, which covers qualifications for professional-technical instructors, requiring certification, and specific training for those in hazardous environments (e.g., first aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens).
In essence, WAC Title 132F serves as the comprehensive legal and operational guide for the Seattle Colleges District, providing the framework for its governance, educational delivery, student life, and administrative functions, all designed to ensure a well-ordered and effective learning environment.
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