Appeal of Decision Instructions

At a minimum, an appeal of an Honor Code Violation Decision must include substantial evidence that the decision rendered was arbitrary or capricious. To ensure receipt and processing of the appeal letter, students are required to use the Appeal of Decision Form when submitting a decision appeal so that all necessary elements for the appeal are included. A request for appeal must be submitted within 5 school days of receipt of a decision letter.

Students who do not submit appeals within 5 school days waive their opportunity to appeal.

IX. APPEAL OF DECISION

A. If the accused believes that the decision of the Honor Council was arbitrary and capricious, he or she may appeal the decision in writing to the executive vice president and provost within five school days of the date he or she receives notice of the decision of the Honor Council.

B. The executive vice president and provost shall review the record of the hearing and the evidence supporting the appeal. The executive vice president and provost shall determine whether the Honor Council acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner in reaching its decision. The executive vice president and provost may consult with the Office of General Counsel, the Division of Student Life, or any other department prior to reaching his or her decision.

C. If the executive vice president and provost finds that the decision of the Honor Council was arbitrary and capricious, he or she shall reverse the decision. Otherwise, the executive vice president and provost shall affirm the decision of the Honor Council.

D. If the accused desires to appeal the decision of the executive vice president and provost, he or she may appeal the decision in writing to the president within five school days. In such a situation, the president shall review the record of the hearing, confer with the executive vice president and provost, and, based upon this review, decide to affirm or reverse the decision. The decision of the president is final.

The process for appealing a sanction for an Honor Code violation is available on this Web page: Appeal of Sanction Instructions