Washington Administrative Code Title 478 - University of Washington
Washington Administrative Code Title 478 – University of Washington
1. Purpose of Title 478
Title 478 of the WAC is dedicated exclusively to the University of Washington (UW).
Its purpose is to:
Establish rules and regulations for the governance of the University.
Provide guidance on administration, academics, research, student conduct, and employment.
Ensure the University operates in a transparent, fair, and orderly manner under state authority.
2. Governance
The University of Washington is governed by the Board of Regents, which adopts policies and rules under Title 478.
The Regents delegate certain powers to the University President, administrators, faculty, and student bodies.
Governance rules cover areas like academic authority, administrative structures, and financial accountability.
3. Key Areas Covered in Title 478
The code is divided into different chapters, each addressing a specific area of University life and operations. Here are the most important areas:
a. Administration & Organization
Defines the structure of the University: Regents, President, Vice Presidents, Deans, and other officers.
Covers rules about University property, financial management, and administrative procedures.
b. Faculty Rules
Faculty appointments, tenure, promotions, and responsibilities.
Rights and obligations in teaching, research, and service.
Academic freedom and professional conduct.
c. Student Conduct & Discipline
Rules governing student behavior both on and off campus.
Academic integrity, cheating, plagiarism, and misconduct.
Sanctions such as warnings, probation, suspension, or expulsion.
Student rights in hearings and appeals.
d. Academic Rules
Course registration, grading systems, and degree requirements.
Authority of faculty councils over curriculum and instruction.
Policies on research conduct, intellectual property, and academic honesty.
e. Employment Policies
Staff and employee responsibilities.
Hiring, performance, discipline, and termination procedures.
Collective bargaining rules if applicable.
f. Use of University Property & Facilities
Rules about the use of UW buildings, classrooms, libraries, and outdoor spaces.
Guidelines for campus demonstrations, speeches, and events.
Time, place, and manner restrictions on public expression.
g. Health, Safety, and Research Compliance
Rules for laboratories, medical centers, and research involving human or animal subjects.
Workplace safety and risk management policies.
Environmental and ethical compliance in research.
4. Rulemaking Process
The Board of Regents has authority to amend Title 478.
Changes to rules usually involve notice, public comment, and formal adoption.
Once adopted, they become part of the official Washington Administrative Code.
5. Enforcement
Faculty and staff compliance is enforced by administrators and faculty councils.
Student compliance is overseen by conduct officers and hearing panels.
Violations are subject to disciplinary hearings, with rights of appeal built into the process.
6. Summary
WAC Title 478 – University of Washington is the legal and regulatory framework that governs every aspect of UW operations, including:
Governance and administration (Regents, President, Deans).
Faculty employment, tenure, and responsibilities.
Student conduct, discipline, and academic policies.
Use of facilities, free expression, and safety rules.
Research, compliance, and ethics standards.
It ensures that the University operates fairly, transparently, and in alignment with its educational mission.
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