Appeals

Appeal to the University Hearing Panel (1st Appeal)

After being informed of the formal charges against him/her, if the student does not accept the Administrative Decision, the Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability refers the charges to a University Hearing Panel. Each Panel shall be composed of not less than one (1) faculty member, one (1) student, one (1) Chair, and two (2) additional faculty/student/staff members. A simple majority vote of the hearing panel members is required to find a student in violation of the Code. All hearings will be digitally recorded, except any deliberation or consultation with University legal counsel.

Appeal to the Dean of Students  (2nd Appeal)
The purpose of this appeal procedure is to provide the opportunity for questioning the appropriateness of actions or recommendations growing out of a Code of Student Conduct hearing. It is not the nature or purpose of the appeal procedure to provide for a new hearing at a higher administrative level. Appeals of the actions by a hearing panel may be made on any reasonable basis. An appeal seeking to modify a sanction imposed or recommended by a hearing panel will be successful only if clear and convincing reasons are advanced to show that the sanction does not meet the test of reasonableness and fairness.

The appeal must be in the form of a written memorandum addressed to the Dean of Students, should clearly state the specific actions or recommendations that are being appealed, and should clearly present specific reasons, grounds, or justifications to support the appeal. The student who plans to make an appeal must notify the Dean of Students within 48 hours of the findings and/or sanctions being rendered, and the actual written appeal must be received in the Office of the Dean of Students within 7 calendar days after the student is notified of the final action on his/her case. The decision of the Dean of Students concludes the appellate process.