8.8 INCIDENT REVIEW BY COMMISSIONER
8.8.1 The Commissioner may review situations involving suspicions or allegations of conference or NCAA rules violations, acts of unsportsmanlike conduct, or in instances in which a member institution believes that a situation is handled improperly by game officials or event management.
8.8.2 Such a review may be initiated at the request of a member institution (through appropriate channels as described here), a reputable report supplied to an institution or by the conference office itself. If an incident occurs that a PacWest member institution(s) believes was handled improperly, then the institution may request a review by the Commissioner by following these required steps:
a) The coach or other representative must review the incident with his or her athletic director.
b) Only the athletic director may contact the commissioner to ask for an official review and ruling. A coach who is also serving as director of athletics must recuse themselves from this process if the complaint involves his/her sport and another institutional administrator will serve as the designated institutional representative.
c) If the complaint is about a specific contest, verbal contact between athletic director and commissioner must be made within 24 hours of the incident, or the next business day (up to 48 hours) if the team is traveling (or if the next day is a Sunday or holiday.) The athletic director should follow up in writing (e--mail is okay) to the commissioner within 24 hours after first contact.
d) Video of the incident should be sent via fastest means (overnight express mail or hand delivery) directly to the conference office, or if available by computer/internet, then coordinates for download/upload must be given.
e) The commissioner will verbally notify the athletic director at the other institution (or institutions) involved in the incident as soon as possible (the same business day, if possible) upon contact from the initial athletic director.
f) The commissioner will notify both parties in writing (including e--mail) that he/she is launching a full and complete investigation, including contacting the supervisor of officials or officials assignor, and coaches or other parties involved in the incident.
g) The commissioner will review the video of the incident independent of any of the parties involved. If necessary, the commissioner may also ask the supervisor of officials or official’s assignor to review the video. A suggestion of action from the supervisor of officials or official’s assignor is a recommendation only.
h) The commissioner will issue his/her ruling to the institutions involved, including any penalties and timing of penalties, if necessary.
i) If institution or institutions do not agree with the ruling, then an appeals process is in place in the conference by--laws.
j) The commissioner will follow--up in writing with a full description of the incident, investigation, and ruling, and deliver to institutions as necessary.