Due Process and Appeals

A student may appeal a disciplinary action by completing the Student Conduct Appeal Form. This form must be received within three (3) business days after the student receives notification of the disciplinary outcome of the conduct process.
While the appeal process is available to all participants of the student conduct process, the Student Judicial Review Committee is reserved for appeals that seek an overturning of a finding of responsibility or a major change to sanctions. For this reason, the first step of the appeals process is that the appeal will first be considered by the supervisor of the lead adjudicator. (For example, the Associate Dean for Residence Life would review appeals in which RDs are the lead adjudicator and the Dean of Students would review appeals in which the Associate Dean for Residence Life is the lead adjudicator).

The supervisor of the lead adjudicator may address more minor concerns a student may have (i.e. wording of a sanction or specific aspects of it, clearing up misunderstanding, etc.). The supervisor of the lead adjudicator will then (with the input of the lead adjudicator) come to a conclusion of what adjustments may be made. These adjustments are then presented to the student. If the student feels that his or her concerns were addressed appropriately, the appeal is considered finished.

If the student feels that the concerns were not addressed appropriately, the appeal may be sent to the Judicial Review Committee, but only if there are appropriate grounds for appeal.

One function of this committee is to consider cases where student conduct is cause for serious discipline, including dismissal. In such cases, this committee reports its recommendations to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Final action rests with the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee.
Please note: Sanctions given are put into immediate effect upon notification and remain in effect until overturned by an appeal.
An appeal must meet appropriate grounds to be reviewed by the Student Judicial Review Committee. Appeal letters should present clear and convincing evidence relating to at least one of the valid grounds for appeal.

Grounds for Appeal
• Procedural error that would significantly affect the outcome of the case
• New information that was not available at the time of the investigation that would significantly affect the outcome of the case
• Sanction imposed is grossly disproportionate with the violation

Not Grounds for Appeal
• Disagreement with findings
• Disagreement with sanctions