Appeal Process
Requests for Appeal
The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Office of Community Standards using this Appeal Submission Form. The appeal must be submitted within five (5) business days (or, for the New Evidence grounds for appeal, 30 days) from the delivery of the Determination and Sanction/Outcome Letter(s).
An appeal will not be considered unless it is submitted on the Appeal Submission Form and received within the allotted time.
The appeals process only allows for one appeal per student or student organization. A student cannot submit multiple appeals.
Grounds for Appeal
- New Evidence: New evidence is information that was unknown or unavailable during the original hearing or investigation that could substantially impact the original finding or sanction. A summary of this new evidence, how it was previously unknown or unavailable, and its potential impact must be included.
- Procedural Error: A procedural error or omission occurred that significantly impacted the outcome of the hearing (e.g., substantiated bias, material deviation from established procedures, etc.).
- Appeal of the Sanction(s)/Outcome(s): The Sanctions(s) or Outcome(s) assigned are inconsistent with the violation(s). The Sanction(s) or Outcome(s) are either too lenient or too severe and do not adequately fit the nature of the violation and/or the totality of the circumstances. The Sanction(s) or Outcome(s) are of such nature that the student could not reasonably complete them within the allotted timeframe.
Discontentment with a particular finding is not a valid reason for appeal.
Appeal Conclusions
The Appeals Officer will notify the appealing party in writing of the determination.
The appeals process only affords one level of appeal. Once an appeal is decided, further appeals are not permitted.
The Appeals Panel’s decision is final.