Appeals Guide

Appeal Process

After a decision is made by the Conduct Educator or Student Hearing Panel, the Respondent has the right to file an appeal.

  1. Appeals must be made in writing within 5 week-days of the date of the decision letter using the appeal petition. Appeals must cite one of the following grounds:
    1. New information became available that was not known at the time of the hearing;
    2. A major procedural error was made; or
    3. The outcomes assigned were inconsistent with current outcomes for similar prohibited behaviors.
  2. The Student Appeals Panel will convene to review the appeal. To decide an appeal, the appellate body reviews the written appeal submitted by the appellant and may review any or all portions of the record as appropriate to decide the appeal. 
  3. The panel may accept, modify, or reject the decision of the hearing body, or return the matter for further proceedings. The decision of the Student Appeals Panel is final.

Nature of Appellate Review

The Student Experiences Committee administers the appeals process and the Committee has the authority to appoint additional appellate body members from the campus community to serve on the Student Appeals Panel per UMD Shared Governance Bylaws. There is one campus-wide appeal of a finding of a responsibility. Appellate review generally is an examination of the record by a new panel of 3 individuals to determine whether a serious error occurred in the original proceeding that resulted in unfairness. Appellate review respects the credibility judgments of the hearing body, and respects the hearing body's determinations as long as there is evidence to reasonably support them. The Student Appeals Panel is responsible for making a deliberative judgment regarding the specific grounds appealed - not to re-hear the complaint.

Scholastic Dishonesty Cases

For cases of Scholastic Dishonesty, if the hearing or appeal results in a finding that the student is not responsible, the concerns will be referred back to the instructor for grade review at the student’s request. If the student is not satisfied with the grade review, they may pursue a grade complaint.