D. Student Violation Appeals Process

1. A Respondent may appeal a disciplinary action by filing a written appeal with the College Official/Appeals Committee within five (5) business days of being informed of the outcome or sanction being imposed. The imposed outcome or sanction remains in effect during the appeal process. The written appeal must indicate the grounds for reversing the outcome or sanction. Grounds for appeal shall be limited to:

a. The original hearing/investigation was not conducted fairly and in conformity with prescribed procedures (see 3 above);

b. New and relevant evidence, sufficient to alter the decision, has been revealed that was not brought out in the original hearing, because such evidence and/or facts were not known at the time of the original hearing;

c. Inappropriate gravity of the sanction in relation to the offense.

2. The College Official/Appeals Committee has three (3) business days from the receipt of the appeal to determine whether the basis set forth in the appeal falls within the grounds allowed for appeal and to inform the appealing student in writing. If the College Official/Appeals Committee determines that the case does not fall within the grounds allowed for appeal, then the previous adjudication stands. If the College Official/Appeals Committee determines that the case does fall within the grounds allowed for appeal, the College Official/Appeals Committee may:

a. Meet with the Judicial Decision Maker/Committee who issued the original disciplinary action to discuss a possible modification or rescission, as appropriate. If a decision to modify or rescind is not reached, the appeal will be forwarded immediately to the Appeals Committee

b. Immediately forward the appeal to the Appeals Committee for consideration.

3. All preliminary processing of appeals will be concluded within five (5) business days unless the College Official/Appeals Committee determines that there are specific articulated extenuating
circumstances (e.g., absence of key parties) that require an extension.

4. The College Official/Appeals Committee will provide notification of the outcome of the preliminary processing of the appeal in writing within three (3) business days of the decision to the respondent and, as applicable, the Complainant, and any administrative offices involved.

5. The decision of the Appeals Committee is not subject to further appeal by the student. Any step, sanction or decision within the judiciary process is open to review by the Vice President or designee, including senior administrator at another college.