Submitting an Effective Appeal

Because the Appeals Board is appointed by the President and serves as a review panel for conduct decisions on behalf of that office, and because an appeal proceeding is not designed as an additional hearing, it is important to submit an appeal letter that is clear, concise, and provides the best and appropriate information to be considered by the Appeals Board.  Below are some helpful suggestions that can assist you in preparing an effective appeal.

• Consider carefully your decision to appeal.  Keep in mind that submission subject the outcome to further consideration.  If the appeal is denied, sanction decisions can be increased by the Appeals Board.  Conduct administrators and the CRSB work carefully to arrive at findings and sanctions that are reasoned and just, and have learning at their core.  While errors can occur in these decisions, it is important as a charged student to understand the University's decision and concerns, and then consider that against your own awareness and belief about the incident and any conduct history you may have.

• Be clear about your basis for appeal.  The grounds for the appeal is the first litmus test used by Appeals Board in its review.  If the basis is not clearly articulated, your appeal is not likely to receive good consideration.

• Character references are generally not helpful.  The University believes that all members of the community are of good character.  Our appeals process is about behavior and whether or not the University's conduct process was applied correctly.  While charged students may submit to the Appeals Board anything information they feel is relevent to their case, character letters and references generally have minimal impact on the deliberation of that panel.  As in life, sometimes good people engage in poor choices.

• Seek assistance.  The notion of writing an appeal can feel daunting.  It does not need to be.  First, the OCRS and conduct administrators recognize appeal as part of the overall conduct process, and are therefore prepared to assist you.  Trusted faculty member or staff members are good recources to have review your written appeal and can help identify areas where your concerns may not be clear.

• Submit your appeal on time.  Be certain to submit your appeal to the OCRS by the deadline.  Appeals submitted late do not receive consideration and outcomes become final.
  

If you have questions about the appeal process or need additional guidance, please contact the Office of Community Rights and Standards at 587-6271.  We are ready to assist you.

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