A. An appeal is not a re-hearing
New information concerning the incident itself is not considered. If the student presents new information that was unobtainable at the time of the original review, the Student Conduct Coordinator shall ask the Conduct Body to reconsider the incident. Decisions regarding appeals are made based upon the record of the original case and the information contained in the written appeal (see subsection C.2, below).
B. Grounds for Appeal
Grounds for appeal are limited to two categories:
- Lack of a fair review.
- Severity of sanction.
The appeal process may only be initiated by a student who has been found in violation of a policy, rule, regulation or standard.
The sanction imposed by a Conduct Body may be deferred while a student is involved in the appeal process. If the original sanction is upheld, it shall be effective as of the date set at the original Review Meeting. If the appeal process reverses or changes the sanction in any way, the new finding will be effective as determined by the appellate body.
C. Appeals Process
1. Students may appeal a decision once. The student completes a Notice of Appeal form and submits it to the Student Conduct Coordinator by the deadline indicated on her/his written decision, typically 72-hours.
2. The appeal shall include:
- The appeal date.
- The grounds for the appeal.
- A detailed rationale supporting the grounds for appeal.
- The signature(s) of the person(s) filing the appeal.
3. The Student Conduct Coordinator reviews the written appeal to assure that it contains appropriate grounds and sufficient detail to allow the appellate body to make a decision. If the appeal is improperly drafted or is insufficiently detailed, the Student Conduct Coordinator informs the petitioner and s/he must submit an amended appeal within 24-hours of the Student Conduct Coordinator's notice.
4. In considering an appeal, the appellate body must make a decision solely upon review of the written material and the record of the case.
5. The appellate body may refer an appealed case for reconsideration in light of certain factors to the Conduct Body that rendered the decision being appealed.
D. Levels of Appeal
1. Community Review Board (CRB) decisions may be appealed to the Student Conduct Coordinator or her/his designee.
2. Hearing Officer decisions may be appealed to the Student Conduct Coordinator or Assistant Dean.
3. URB decisions are appealed to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.
4. Decisions involving suspension or expulsion are appealed to the university President. The Student Conduct Coordinator may reassign appeals to another Conduct Body if circumstances warrant.
E. Possible Appeal Outcomes
1. If the appellate body finds adequate basis for appeal in the “lack of fair review” category, the decision and the sanction may be altered.
2. If the appellate body finds adequate basis for appeal in the “severity of sanction” category, the decision will not be altered, but the sanction may be altered.