Student Code of Conduct
Admission to Washington Technology University carries an expectation that all students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the University’s community. The University student conduct procedures are designed to protect the rights of the individual and of the community as a whole. Students enrolled in the University assume responsibility for their actions while participating in University-sponsored classes or activities.
The President, Vice President, Deans, or designated officers of the University may summarily suspend a student in order to protect University community members from the immediate possibility of disorder, misconduct, threat, or harm. The student will be required to immediately leave the University premises and all of his/her privileges as a student will be suspended until an investigation has been conducted. Summary suspensions may be in effect for up to ten business days.
Allegations of misconduct and summary suspensions referred to the Vice President will be investigated and the Vice President will make a determination regarding the validity of the complaint and the severity of the violation. If the violation is found to be a minor infraction, the Vice President may dismiss the violation or impose a sanction including but not limited to dismissal, a verbal warning, formal reprimand, restitution, or disciplinary probation.
If the violation is found to be a major infraction, the Vice President will convene the Student Conduct Hearing Board for a formal review. Any formal review will ensure that the accused student receives due process, is fully aware of the procedures, and is allowed to be present and conduct interviews, as appropriate. The Student Conduct Hearing Board will recommend to the Vice President the appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to a verbal warning, formal reprimand, restitution, disciplinary probation, disciplinary suspension, or expulsion.
Student’s Right to Appeal
The student will be notified in writing of the decision of the Vice President. The student may accept the decision of the Vice President or may appeal in writing within ten business days to the President. The President’s decision is final.
Violations of Student Conduct include, but are not limited to
- Theft or damage to the property of a student, faculty or staff member, or visitor to the University premises
- Verbal, written or physical abuse or threat to any student, faculty or staff member of the University, visitor to the University, or personnel (as at schools) at institutions with which the University has cooperative agreements
- Obstruction or disruption of the teaching, operation of a class, or other activity of the University
- Forgery, alteration, or misuse of University documents, records, or identification
- Unauthorized entry or occupancy of University facilities or blocking access to - or egress from - such areas
- Unauthorized use of University property, facilities, or services
- Unauthorized use of technology resources or consumables
- Use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or illegal substances on any University site or at any University-sponsored or sanctioned function
- Failure to comply with directions of University employees acting in the legitimate performance of their duties
- Possession or use of firearms (concealed, permitted, or otherwise), explosives, dangerous chemicals, or any other weapons on any University site or at any University-sponsored or sanctioned function. Exceptions to the rule forbidding possession of firearms may be granted to uniformed police officers by an appropriate officer
- Disorderly or indecent conduct, personally or intentionally abusive language, breach of the peace, or procuring another to breach the peace
- Intentional violations of University rules, policies, and procedures, including sexual harassment or misconduct
- Falsely setting off, or tampering with, emergency safety equipment, alarm or other device designed for the safety of individuals or University property
- Violating the term of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Definitions
Verbal Warning
A verbal notice to the student that his/her conduct does not meet the standards of the University. (Record of the verbal warning will remain in the student file until graduation at which time the reprimand will be removed and destroyed.)
Formal Reprimand
A written notice to the student that his/her conduct does not meet the standards of the University. A reprimand is considered a warning that further incidents of misconduct may result in further disciplinary action. Written reprimands will remain in the student file until graduation at which time the reprimand will be removed and destroyed.
Restitution
Reimbursement for damage to - or misappropriation of - property, or fines as a result of tampering with emergency safety equipment.
Disciplinary Probation
Restriction or exclusion from University-related activities. Disciplinary probation may be imposed for a period not to exceed two years. Further misconduct of any kind during the probationary period may result in further disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.
Summary Suspension
Temporary dismissal from the University and temporary termination of the student’s status for a period of time not to exceed ten days.
Disciplinary Suspension
Exclusion from classes or other privileges for a period not to exceed two years.
Expulsion
Indefinite termination of student status.
Student Grievances
It may occur that a student experience will generate concerns and it is important that students have an outlet for review, discussion, and resolution. If students feel that a University policy or practice does not serve them well, or if a decision by a University official or committee does not seem appropriate to the circumstances, processes have been established to facilitate appeals. Students should contact the Office of the Registrar for any issue related to admission, registration, or enrollment. Students should contact the Office of Finance for any issue related to tuition or fees. In all instances, students should feel able, if still not satisfied with the resolution after these steps, to discuss these issues with the President of the University.
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint. Visit https://www.wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.
Contact Information for Student Complaints
S. Stan Lan
President and Chief Executive Officer
200 112th Ave NE, Suite 200
Bellevue, WA 98004
425.223.5812
stan.lan@washtechu.org
Student Rights
Equal Opportunity
Washington Technology University is an equal opportunity university committed to a policy of providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An "eligible student" under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.) These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day Washington Technology University receives a request for access.
A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or president, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
A student who wishes to ask the school to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
If WTU decides not to amend the record as requested, WTU will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to provide written consent before WTU discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
WTU discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is typically includes a person employed by the schoo] in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of WTU who performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for WTU.
Upon request, the school also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. FERPA requires a school to make a reasonable attempt to notify each student of these disclosures unless the institution states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request or the disclosure is initiated by the student.]
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
See the list below for disclosures that postsecondary institutions may make without consent.
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, § 99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student —
- To other school officials, including teachers, within WTU whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1))
To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34. (§ 99.31(a)(2))
- To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the university’s State-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
- To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§ 99.31(a)(6))
- To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§ 99.31(a)(7))
- To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§ 99.31(a)(8))
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§ 99.31(a)(9))
- To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to § 99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10))
Information the school has designated as "directory information" under § 99.37. (§ 99.31(a)(11))
- To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of § 99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§ 99.31(a)(13))
- To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of § 99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§ 99.31(a)(14))
- To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. (§99.31(a)(15))