If you are a student looking for a Washington Title IX lawyer, this page links to our guides for four Washington public universities. Each guide explains, in general terms, how that university handles a Title IX or sexual misconduct complaint against a student.
Each university runs its own process under its own policy and its own conduct rules. The written notice you receive, and the rule it cites, control your case.
How Washington universities handle Title IX cases
There is no single Title IX procedure for Washington public universities. Each school on this page has its own student conduct rule, adopted as a chapter of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC):
- Central Washington University: chapter 106-125 WAC, the Student Conduct Code, used together with CWU 401-01 and its Appendix A.
- Eastern Washington University: chapter 172-125 WAC, Discrimination and Title IX Violations by Students.
- Washington State University: the Standards of Conduct for Students (WAC 504-26), used together with the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment (UPPM 10.60) and the Compliance and Civil Rights procedural guidelines.
- Western Washington University: the Student Conduct Code, chapter 516-21 WAC, used together with POL-U10.27 and PRO-U10.27A.
Some features are shared, but the details differ. In a Title IX hearing at each school, advisors question the other side instead of the students, and the university provides an advisor if you do not have one. At EWU this applies to Level Three cases, which are formal Title IX complaints.
Washington’s Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW, also appears in three of these rules. CWU’s student conduct council follows it. EWU treats Level Two and Level Three cases as full adjudicative proceedings under it. Washington State runs student hearings as full adjudications under its model rules.
Appeal clocks are not the same. They depend on the school, the type of decision, and in some cases on the deadline written into your decision.
Washington university guides
- Central Washington University (CWU): CWU uses CWU 401-01 for the complaint and investigation, and the Title IX procedures in chapter 106-125 WAC for the hearing and appeal. See the school page for appeal timing, because the chapter does not state a number of days for appealing a council decision.
- Eastern Washington University (EWU): EWU handles student cases under chapter 172-125 WAC, with three tracks called Level One, Level Two and Level Three. The rule gives seven calendar days to appeal a student disciplinary council decision, and 21 calendar days for a Level One appeal or a Level Two hearing request.
- Washington State University: Compliance and Civil Rights investigates under UPPM 10.60 and its procedural guidelines, and the Center for Community Standards handles discipline. WAC 504-26-420 gives 20 calendar days to appeal a conduct hearing decision. The guidelines give 15 calendar days to appeal a Title IX dismissal.
- Western Washington University: WWU investigates under POL-U10.27 and PRO-U10.27A, and the Office of Student Life decides under chapter 516-21 WAC. See the school page for appeal timing, because the Code’s appeal wording is not consistent and its Title IX appeal section states no deadline.
Common questions
Do all Washington public universities follow the same Title IX policy?
No. Each school on this page has its own policy and its own WAC chapter. The offices, hearing bodies and appeal routes differ from school to school.
Is the appeal deadline the same everywhere?
No. Washington State’s rule says 20 calendar days for a conduct hearing decision. EWU’s rule says seven calendar days after a council decision. At CWU and Western Washington, the rules do not state one clear figure for a Title IX hearing appeal, so use the deadline written in your own decision.
Can my advisor be a lawyer?
Yes, at all four schools your advisor may be an attorney. At CWU and Western Washington, an attorney advisor must file a notice of appearance at least five days before a Title IX hearing, or the right to an attorney advisor is waived.
What should I check first in my notice?
Check which policy, WAC chapter and version the notice cites. Several of these rules changed recently. CWU operated under emergency rules from September 2024 to April 2025. WWU’s current policy applies to conduct alleged on or after August 1, 2024. EWU’s chapter took its current three-level form on August 1, 2025.
Talk to a Washington Title IX lawyer
If you have received a notice from a Washington university, you can contact us to talk about your situation and the documents you have.
Disclaimer
This page is general information only and is not legal advice. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any university named on this page. Reading this page or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. University policies and procedures change. The notice you receive and the policy version it names control your case, so check your notice.
