Student Appeal Process

1. Formal Hearing Appeals

A. Appeal Grounds:

Before appealing the decision from a Formal Hearing, either before the Conduct Review Board or before a single Presiding Dean, the Respondent should consider what grounds they will make their appeal on. Appeals may be made only on the following grounds:

procedural irregularity that may have affected the outcome of the matter; or
new evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the hearing that could affect the outcome of the matter; or
the Presiding Dean or a specific member of the Conduct Review Board had a conflict of interest or bias for or against the Respondent or any other party that was demonstrated during the hearing through specific words or actions that may have affected the outcome of the matter.

The Respondent may not appeal on the basis of dissatisfaction with the outcome or sanction. In the event a student is suspended or dismissed from the College, the student may submit a request for review of the proceedings by the appeal panel. The panel may, at its discretion, determine to return the decision to the Presiding Dean with a request for further review based on questions determined by the panel.

B. Submitting an Appeal:

A student respondent (“Respondent”) who wishes to appeal the decision from a Formal Hearing must do so within five (5) calendar days of receipt of the outcome letter using this form. The form must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth calendar day of the appeal period. A case is limited to one appeal.

When submitting an appeal form, the Respondent must:

Identify the ground(s) for the appeal;
Include a written statement that explains, at a minimum, how the appeal meets ground(s) and why the appeal is being made; and
Include any new evidence if the appeal is being made based on new evidence grounds.

Please do not use this form for matters related to Title IX. Please visit this page for information on Title IX related appeals.

C. Appeal Panel Review:

The Senior Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs or designee serves as the Chair of the Student Appeals Committee (“Chair”). The Chair will convene an Appeal Panel from the appeal committee, typically made up of one faculty member, one student, and the Chair.

The Appeal Panel will limit its review to: (1) whether the appeal states adequate grounds; and (2) if adequate grounds are provided, then the Panel may consider the record from the original hearing and supporting documents, any statements submitted by the Respondent, and the response offered by the Office of the Dean of Students and assess an outcome as outlined below. The Office of the Dean of Students may provide an appeal response and submit any relevant materials directly to the Student Appeals Panel. The statement may address any issues raised in the appeal and provide any additional relevant information.

In cases where the Respondent appeals on the basis of new evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the decision at the original proceeding, the Panel may consider the previously unavailable evidence.

D. Outcome:

The Appeal Panel is not bound by the original finding of responsibility or the sanction. The Appeal Panel may affirm or modify the determination of responsibility and/or may modify the sanction, including reducing or increasing the sanction. The Panel may direct either the Dean of Students to take appropriate action in light of its decision or ask the Conduct Review Board or Presiding Dean to reconsider the case with appropriate corrections. The Panel will typically issue their decision to the Respondent within fifteen (15) calendar days from when the appeal was submitted.

2. Appeal from Student Group Disciplinary Process

A student group wishing to appeal an outcome from the Student Group Disciplinary Process may do so using this form. Appeals must be made on the same grounds and will follow the same process as an appeal from a Formal Hearing (as described above). Appeals must be submitted within five (5) calendar days of receiving the outcome letter documenting the sanction(s). The appeal must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day of the appeal period. The appeal must be made by the group’s student leaders, such as captains or organizational leadership.

3. Informal Hearing Appeals

Students wishing to appeal an outcome from an Informal Hearing that resulted in a change of status (i.e., probation) may submit the appeal to the Dean of Students within five (5) calendar days of receiving the outcome letter documenting the sanction(s) using this form. Requests must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day of the appeal period. Appeals must be made on the same grounds as appeals from a Formal Hearing Decision (as described above).

Upon receipt, the Dean of Students or their designee will promptly review the appeal to determine whether the student has provided adequate grounds. The Dean of Students or their designee is not bound by the Conduct Officer’s original determination of responsibility or sanction. The Dean of Students or their designee may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision and/or may eliminate, reduce, or increase the sanction.

There is no opportunity to appeal Informal Hearing decisions that do not result in a change of status sanction.

4. Disposition Without a Hearing

Students who request and receive a disposition without a hearing do not have an opportunity to appeal.