255.10 Overview

  • 255.10.1 Purpose

    The Sex and Kidnapping Offender Notification guidelines have been developed to increase the safety and welfare of the students and staff of the Seattle Colleges. Public agencies are authorized to release information to its community members regarding sex and kidnapping offenders when it is determined by the agency that such disclosure is relevant and necessary to protect the college community.

    Information regarding sex and kidnapping offenders will be released to the college community when the appropriate college official determines that disclosure is lawful under RCW 4.24.550.

  • 255.10.2 Immunity

    Public employees and/or public agencies are immune from civil liability for damages for any discretionary decisions or release of relevant and necessary information, unless it is shown that the employee or agency acted with gross negligence or in bad faith (RCW 4.24.550).

255.20 Identification of Sex and/or Kidnapping Offenders

  • 255.20.1 Notification by Law Enforcement

    The county sheriff’s department is required to notify the department of public safety of institutions of higher education when a specified sex or kidnapping offender registers with the sheriff’s department and informs the sheriff that they are enrolled or employed at the institution or intends to do so.

    If any other office at the Seattle Colleges receives information from a law enforcement agency about the presence of sex and/or kidnapping offenders at the district, the information will be immediately sent to the campus security office or the Chancellor’s Office as applicable.

    In addition, on a quarterly basis the district office’s research staff will compare the list of registered sex and kidnapping offenders who reside in the City of Seattle with the list of students who are enrolled by the tenth day. The names of any students who appear on both lists will be sent to the appropriate campus security office and the college Vice President for Student Services.

  • 255.20.2 Verification of Offender’s Status

    When a campus security office is notified of the presence of a specified sex or kidnapping offender by law enforcement, they will review records to determine whether the offender is a registered student or a college employee and notify the appropriate college official. If the offender is a student, notification will be made to the college Vice President for Student Services. If the offender is an employee, notification will be made to the college human resources office or, if the issue relates to the Siegal Center, to the Chancellor’s designee. If any other office at the Seattle Colleges receives information from a law enforcement agency about the presence of sex and/or kidnapping offenders at the district, the information will be immediately sent to the campus security office or the Chancellor’s Office as applicable.

  • 255.20.3 Student Responsibility

    If the offender is a student, the student must notify the sheriff for the county where the student resides of their intent to attend the College at least three business days prior to arriving at the College

    1. to attend classes;
    2. prior to starting work at an institution of higher education; or
    3. after any termination of enrollment or employment at a school or institution of higher education (RCW 9A.44.130).

    Students must also report to the campus security office. Failure to report will result in disciplinary sanction (WAC 132F-121-110 (6)). If the student is not a resident of the state of Washington, the student is required to register with the King County Sheriff’s Department.

  • 255.20.4 Employee Responsibility

    If the offender is a college employee, the employee must notify the sheriff for the county where the employee resides within five working days of being a registered sex offender. Offenders who have been hired by the Seattle Colleges must notify the county sheriff where they reside of their intent to work at the college by the first day of employment.

  • 255.20.5 Disclosure of Offender Status

    The extent of public disclosure of relevant and necessary information shall be directly related to:

    1. The level of risk posed by the offender to the college community;
    2. The locations where the offender resides, expects to reside or is regularly found, including the college program in which they are enrolled and/or the location(s) where they work; and
    3. The needs of the affected college community members for information to enhance their individual and collective safety.

  • 255.20.6 Record Keeping

    Any record received from local law enforcement agencies regarding sex or kidnapping offenders at the Seattle Colleges shall be maintained by the affected campus security office. If the offender is a student, records will also be maintained by the college Vice President for Student Services. If the offender is an employee, records will also be maintained by the college human resources office or the Chancellor’s designee as applicable.

255.30 Guidelines for Notifying the College Community

  • 255.30.1 Responsible College Official

    If the offender is a student, they must notify the Department of Safety and Security at least three business days prior to the start of class(es). The college Vice President for Student Services will review relevant and necessary information, verify that the offender is one of those identified in RCW 4.24.550, and assess safety issues posed for students, employees, and all children on campus, including any childcare center. All official notifications to the college community shall come from the Vice President for Student Services or designee.

    If the offender is an employee, the college human resources office or the Chancellor’s designee will review relevant and necessary information, verify that the offender is one of those identified in RCW 4.24.550, and assess safety issues posed for students, employees, and all children on campus, including the childcare center. They will also be responsible for notifying the college community.

  • 255.30.2 Release of Information about the Offender

    The responsible college official will determine whether and how the offender’s identity and relevant conviction information will be released to members of the college community based on the offender’s risk classification level and will be consistent with the recommendations of the local law enforcement agency.

    1. Level 1 offenders are considered to have a low risk of reoffending. Local law enforcement agencies typically will release only limited information about them.

      1. The responsible college official will interview the offender and notify them of the college’s policy and procedures for notification of sex and kidnapping offenders.
      2. The offender’s name and risk level will be on file in the campus Safety and Security office.
    2. Level 2 offenders have a moderate risk of reoffending.

      1. The responsible college official will interview the offender and notify them of the college’s policy and procedures for notification of sex and kidnapping offenders.
      2. The offender’s name and risk level will be on file in the campus Safety and Security office.
      3. Confidential notification may be given to faculty and appropriate staff and deans in those program/courses where the offender is enrolled. If appropriate, and on the recommendation of local law enforcement, the offender’s photograph may be posted in the childcare center, library, computer labs and other areas frequented by students.
      4. The Vice President for Student Services may restrict the offender’s access to specific campus locations and may request a plan of access, egress and their campus schedule indicating where they are at all times.
    3. Level 3 offenders have the highest risk of reoffending.

      1. The responsible college official and representatives from the Safety and Security Office will interview the offender and notify them of the college’s policy and procedures for notification of sex and kidnapping offenders.
      2. Confidential notification will be given to faculty and appropriate staff and deans in those program/courses where the offender is enrolled.
      3. All Level III offenders will have a recent photograph taken by the campus security office. The campus security office will post the offender’s photograph and information provided by law enforcement in the security office.
      4. Notification may be posted on bulletin boards and distributed to faculty and staff through normal methods of communication depending on the facts of each case, the recommendation of local law enforcement, and to ensure reasonable and necessary safeguards to the college community.
      5. The Vice President for Student Services may give verbal or written notification to faculty and students in classes where the offender is enrolled. In those instances when the Vice President recommends notification to students in the classroom, the instructor will be consulted in advance to determine the method of notification. A reasonable effort will be made to inform the offender of the notification.
      6. The Vice President for Student Services may restrict the offender’s access to campus locations and may request a plan of access, egress and their campus schedule indicating where they are at all times.
  • 255.30.3 Requests for Additional Information

    Requests for additional information regarding the offender will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Adoption Date : 2001/01/16
Revision Date : 2021/09/09