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Academic Integrity Appeal Process

Non-Separable Appeals
If a student is found responsible and sanctioned for a non separable academic integrity violation, he or she can appeal to the Campus Appeals Committee (CAC). If the student does not appeal within the specified time frame, the finding will stand and the sanction will be implemented.

1. The student completes the appeal form, briefly summarizing the event, the supporting evidence, and his or her reasons for challenging the finding and/or sanction. The appeal must be submitted to the Assistant Director for Student Conduct within ten (10) working days of receiving the finding and sanction.

2. The appeal is considered by the CAC, which consists of two students, one faculty member, and one non voting staff member known as the Staff Investigator. The investigator collects any additional information needed to render a fair judgment and presents the appeal to the other members of the Committee. The Committee considers the appeal on the basis of the written record only.

3. The CAC may:

Uphold both the finding and the sanction.
Uphold the finding, but modify the sanction.
Dismiss the finding.

The student is notified in writing of the decision of the Committee, which is final and not subject to further appeal.

Separable Appeals
If a student is found responsible for a separable academic integrity violation, he or she has three opportunities to contest the finding and/or the sanction. If the student does not submit an appeal within the specified time frame, the finding will stand and the sanction will be implemented.

1. If a Conduct Officer or Hearing Board recommends a sanction of suspension or expulsion, it must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) or Chief Academic Integrity Designee (CAID). Both the accused student and the person making the complaint may write statements for the sanctioning official to consider before making his or her decision. These statements should address only the sanction; the official will not consider issues related to the finding. Statements are due within five (5) working days of the sanction recommendation.

2. The sanctioning official reviews any statements received and finalizes the sanction. He or she may accept the recommended sanction, or impose a greater or lesser penalty. The student is notified in writing of the final sanction.

3. Once the sanction has been finalized, the student may file an appeal to the Campus Appeals Committee (CAC). The student submits an appeal form and any supporting documentation. The appeal can address the finding, the sanction, and/or any significant errors in the disciplinary process. If a Disciplinary Conference or University Hearing was held, the student may request a copy of the recording of the proceeding in preparation for the appeal. The appeal is due within ten (10) working days of the final sanction. The complaint party and the Conduct Officer have the right to submit a response to the student's appeal.

4. The CAC, which in separable cases consists of two students and one faculty member, meets to consider the student's appeal, the case file, and any statements submitted by the other parties. Only the members of the Committee and a representative from the Office of Student Conduct are present at this meeting.

5. The CAC may:

Uphold both the finding and the sanction.
Uphold the finding, but recommend that the sanction be modified. The case will be returned to the original sanctioning official for reconsideration. The official may maintain the sanction or lower it, but he or she cannot raise it.
Remand the finding because the student presented new and significant evidence. The case will be sent back to the same Hearing Board or Conduct Officer that issued the original finding.
Remand the finding because it was not based in fact, or because there were significant errors in the disciplinary process. In this case, the matter a new conference or hearing is conducted.

6. The last appeal is a letter to the President of the University. The Presidential appeal is due within ten (10) working days of the Campus Appeals Committee's decision. This appeal can address the finding, the sanction, and/or any significant errors in the disciplinary process. The President's decision is final.

Documents Related to the Academic Integrity Appeal Process