Washington Administrative Code Title 132N - Clark College
Washington Administrative Code
Title 132N – Clark College
Overview
WAC Title 132N contains the administrative rules specific to Clark College, a public community college located in Vancouver, Washington. These rules govern various aspects of college governance, student conduct, academic policies, faculty employment, and administrative procedures.
Clark College, as a public institution, operates under the authority of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and complies with broader state higher education policies, while WAC Title 132N provides college-specific regulations.
Purpose and Scope
To establish governance structures within Clark College.
To outline academic policies such as admissions, grading, and graduation requirements.
To regulate student conduct and disciplinary processes.
To govern faculty and staff employment policies, including hiring and evaluation.
To define administrative procedures and organizational rules unique to Clark College.
Key Provisions of WAC Title 132N
1. Governance and Administration
Specifies the role of the Clark College Board of Trustees in overseeing institutional policies.
Describes administrative offices and their responsibilities.
Establishes procedures for rulemaking and policy amendments at the college level.
2. Academic Policies
Rules for admissions criteria, including requirements for residency and placement testing.
Policies on registration, course withdrawal, and tuition fees.
Grading standards, credit transfer, and graduation requirements are detailed.
Defines processes for academic appeals and grade disputes.
3. Student Conduct
Sets standards of behavior expected of students.
Defines violations such as cheating, plagiarism, harassment, and disruptive behavior.
Outlines disciplinary procedures, including investigations, hearings, sanctions, and appeals.
Provides for protection of students' rights and due process in disciplinary matters.
4. Faculty and Staff
Rules regarding hiring, promotion, tenure (if applicable), and evaluation.
Policies on faculty responsibilities including teaching, service, and professional development.
Procedures for addressing grievances and disciplinary actions against staff.
5. Miscellaneous
Addresses the use of campus facilities.
Outlines policies on public records and privacy in compliance with state law.
Provides guidelines for safety, emergency procedures, and equal opportunity.
Legal and Regulatory Context
Clark College’s rules in WAC Title 132N must comply with:
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges policies.
Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act.
State and federal laws relating to education, discrimination (Title IX, ADA), and student rights.
Relevant Case Law
While case law directly citing WAC Title 132N is limited due to its specific institutional scope, several Washington state decisions clarify principles applicable to Clark College’s administrative rules:
1. Seattle Community College District v. Washington State Personnel Board, 93 Wn.2d 854 (1980)
Issue: Related to employment disputes in community colleges.
Holding: The Washington Supreme Court upheld procedural protections for employees under civil service laws, including due process in disciplinary actions.
Relevance: Supports procedural safeguards in faculty and staff disciplinary rules under WAC Title 132N.
2. Doe v. Seattle Community College District, 199 Wn. App. 470 (2017)
Issue: A student challenged disciplinary proceedings for alleged misconduct.
Holding: The court affirmed that colleges must provide fundamental fairness and due process in student disciplinary actions.
Relevance: Reinforces student conduct and disciplinary process rules in WAC Title 132N.
3. Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 21 v. McCart, 100 Wn.2d 102 (1983)
Issue: Dispute over faculty contract and dismissal.
Holding: Affirmed the college’s authority to set reasonable employment rules while respecting statutory protections.
Relevance: Confirms the regulatory authority of community colleges, including Clark College, under WAC Title 132N.
4. Gonzaga University v. Doe, 536 U.S. 273 (2002)
Issue: Although Gonzaga is a private institution, this case clarified FERPA rights of students in education settings.
Holding: The court held that FERPA does not create a private right of action.
Relevance: Impacts student privacy and records policies at public colleges like Clark College under WAC Title 132N.
Summary
WAC Title 132N provides Clark College with a framework for governance, academic standards, student conduct, and personnel policies.
The rules balance institutional authority with due process rights for students and employees.
The college’s authority is grounded in state statute and overseen by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Washington courts emphasize procedural fairness and statutory compliance in reviewing actions under these rules.
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