A protester who covers their face, occupies a campus building or is present when property is damaged could face tougher consequences under a proposed overhaul o
A protester who covers their face, occupies a campus building, or is present when property is damaged could face tougher consequences under a proposed overhaul of the University of Washington’s student conduct code.
The changes follow years of disruptive demonstrations that drew national scrutiny to the Seattle campus, including a three-week pro-Palestinian encampment at the Quad in 2024 and last year’s takeover of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building.
Nearly two dozen students were suspended after the building occupation, which UW said caused extensive damage to equipment.
The proposed code has triggered alarm among students and faculty members, who said it could broaden the university’s power to punish protesters and threaten free speech and assembly.
Some critics are particularly concerned that students who attend a protest could be held responsible for damage they did not personally cause. They also object to language allowing identity concealment to be considered an aggravating factor when determining sanctions.
University officials said the proposal does not punish students simply for wearing masks or attending a demonstration. Under the draft, concealing one’s identity could be considered only after a student is found responsible for prohibited conduct and only if the concealment was intended to evade identification.
The proposal would also allow outside contractors to serve as appeals officers in student-misconduct cases, including cases involving academic violations, sexual assault and protest-related behavior.
UW said the changes are designed to strengthen “transparency, fairness and accountability” and comply with Title VI, Title IX and other civil rights requirements. The university hired the law firm Husch Blackwell to help conduct the review.
University leaders said the review began last November and was not tied to the campus protests. The school said it gathered feedback through meetings with faculty and student leaders, interviews with staff and an open public-comment period.
The revisions would also add doxxing as prohibited conduct, offer amnesty to students seeking medical help for another student involving alcohol or drugs, and update rules on hazing, threats, disruption and unauthorized access to university property.
The Board of Regents is expected to consider the proposal Sept. 9. If approved, the revised code would take effect immediately.
