Identification and Assistance for Registered Sex Offenders (RSOs) and Kidnapping Offenders

Whatcom Community College’s (WCC) Community Standards Manager is the key point of contact for prospective and current students who are Registered Sex Offenders. The Community Standards Manager will work closely with law enforcement to ensure accurate and relevant information and provides support for RSOs and campus stakeholders. Once a RSO is identified through self-disclosure or through Campus Safety and Security protocols, the Community Standards Manager will promptly communicate with key college staff members to ensure that all parties receive the support they need. Our partnership with law enforcement allows us to gather necessary information while balancing the privacy of RSOs. See WCCs Procedure 704 for further information. Kidnapping offenders must follow the same process as enumerated in Procedure 704.

Taking the First Step

If you are a registered sex offender (RSO) or kidnapping offender thinking about enrollment at WCC, reaching out to the WCC Community Standards Manager is the first required step in the process. Please email the Community Standards Manager: JDavis@whatcom.edu. In this communication, please send any additional information about educational interests, RSO restrictions, law enforcement points of contact, and any additional support you may want to receive. Once these items have been received by the Community Standards Manager, he will reach out to schedule an initial support meeting to facilitate enrollment. Attendance is required for this initial meeting, failure to attend will result in a registration hold being placed on your account

What’s Next?

Step 1: Contact Community Standards Manager JDavis@whatcom.edu, with your intent to enroll. Level 1 RSOs and all Kidnapping Offenders must provide written intent to enroll at least one (1) month prior to the start of the term. Level 2 RSOs must provide written intent to enroll at least two (2) months prior to the start of the term. Level 3 RSOs must provide written intent to enroll at least three (3) months prior to the start of the term.
Step 2: Provide Required Documentation. For individuals currently under community custody, documentation must include contact information for their probation or community custody officer, any existing restrictions, and proof of at least six (6) consecutive months without high-level community custody violations, as defined by the Washington State Department of Corrections (or the substantial equivalent in other states).
Step 3: Attend Initial Support Meeting
Step 4: Communicate All Schedule Changes- For current and future quarters. Please communicate with the WCC Community Standards Manager at least 6 weeks before the start of the new quarter. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for an accurate timeframe.
Step 5: Notifications- WCC’s Community Standards Manager in collaboration with the Vice President for Student Services and the Director for Campus Safety and Security will make all relevant communications in accordance with Procedure 704.
Step 6: Adhere to Expectations- Outlined by law enforcement and the Office of Community Standards. Failure to do so may result in a violation of Whatcom Community College’s Student Code of Conduct
Step 7: Check in Periodically- The Community Standards Manager will check in periodically to monitor progress, address concerns, and adapt any support plans as required.

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