Appeal Procedures

All appeal requests must be submitted via the designated link in the student's outcome letter, which is sent to their student email. Appeals must be submitted to the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities within three university business days from the date the student or student organization receives notification of disciplinary action. Student Rights & Responsibilities shall refer the appeal to the university appeals board for review.

Grounds for Appeal

Appeal requests are limited to the following grounds:

1. A procedural error occurred that significantly impacted the outcome of the hearing (e.g. substantiated bias, material deviation from established procedures, etc.);
2. New evidence needs to be considered, which was unavailable during the original hearing or investigation that could substantially impact the original finding or sanction. A summary of this new evidence and its potential impact must be included;
3. The sanctions imposed are substantially disproportionate to the severity of the violation or the cumulative conduct record of the responding student.

Effective Date of Conduct Sanction

The sanction(s) imposed by a hearing officer will not take effect until the appeal process is complete.

Considerations Upon Appeal

In review, the original finding and sanction are presumed to have been decided reasonably and appropriately. The burden is on the appealing party (or parties) to show clear error. The appeals board must limit its review to the grounds presented. The appeals board will determine if the appeal requires a formal appeal hearing (meeting with the student or student organization) or if the appeals board will make a decision based on the information provided. If the appeal request is not timely or does not meet the required grounds for appeal, the original finding and sanction will stand and the decision is final.

University Appeals Board

A three- or five-member appeals board is drawn from the hearing panel pool with the following requirements to serve:

1. They did not serve on the hearing board for the initial hearing
2. They were not involved in the investigation in any way
3. They have been trained in appeals procedures

On reconsideration, the appeals board may:

1. Uphold the original decision;
2. Modify the decision;
3. Dismiss the charges; or
4. Remand the case for further consideration.

When the appeal board's decision to modify the decision results in a sanction of conduct probation or lower, the decision is considered final. If the appeals board's decision to modify a decision results in a sanction of suspension or expulsion, the student may submit an appeal request to the Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Students shall submit a typed request for appeal to the Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students within three university business days of receiving notification of the appeals board's decision.

On reconsideration, the Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students may:

1. Uphold the original decision;
2. Reduce or modify the decision;
3. Dismiss the charges; or
4. Remand the case for further consideration.

Following an appeal to the Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students, the matter is considered final.

For any final appeals that result in removal from on-campus housing, the student has 48 hours to check out of their residence hall. Please review the Appeal Guidelines for all cases involving allegations of civil rights in system policy 08.0101.R2.02 Civil Rights Process for Students.