Appeals

1. A decision reached by the Student Conduct Committee may be appealed by the Accused Student(s) or Complainant(s) to an Appellate Hearing Officer within seven (7) days of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Appellate Hearing Officer assigned at the beginning of the Student Conduct Hearing process.
2.  Except as required to explain the basis of new information, an appeal shall be limited to a review of the verbatim record of the Student Conduct Hearing and supporting documents for one or more of the following purposes:
   1. To determine whether the Student Conduct Hearing was conducted fairly in light of the charges and information presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures giving the complaining party a reasonable opportunity to prepare and to present information that the Student Code was violated, and giving a response to those allegations. Deviations from designated procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless significant prejudice results.
   2. To determine whether the decision reached regarding the accused student was based on substantial information, that is, whether there were facts in the case that, if believed by the fact finder, were sufficient to establish that a violation of the Student Code occurred.
   3. To determine whether the sanction(s) imposed were appropriate for the violation of the Student Code of Conduct which the student was found to have committed.
   4. To consider new information, sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such information and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original Student Conduct Hearing.
3. Upon conclusion of the appeal review, the Appellate Hearing Officer will affirm, reverse or modify the disciplinary determination or associated sanction(s), if applicable.  The Appellate Hearing officer may also, in his/her discretion, remand the matter back to the Student Conduct hearing Committee for reconsideration of the original determination and/or sanction(s).  Except in cases where the Appellate hearing officer remands the matter back to the Student Conduct Hearing Committee, the Appellate hearing officer’s decision is final.