Elon University Student Handbook

Appeal Procedures

Any student wishing to appeal the decision of any hearing body must submit a letter to the assistant dean of students (social policies) or assistant vice president for academic affairs (academic policies) by 5 p.m. on the second working day after the initial decision is rendered.

The written request must contain a detailed statement of the grounds for appeal, the date, and the signature of the student. Only those requests for appeal on the following grounds below will be considered. The review by the appeal officer or board will be based on these grounds and will not be a rehearing of the original case.

1. New Facts - Discovery of substantial new facts that were unavailable at the time of the hearing and which could affect the hearing outcome.

2. Excessive sanction - If the assigned sanctions are excessive and do not follow the Student Handbook.

3. Procedural Violation - If there was a substantial violation of the hearing procedure.

All requests for appeal must outline the following:

   o  If the appeal is based on substantial new facts:
        - Source of new information
        - Name(s) of who can present this information
        - Reason(s) why this information was not presented at the original hearing
        - Reason(s) why this information may contribute to a decision other than that which was originally made.

o If the appeal is based on excessive sanction, the request must include specific information indicating why the sanction is deemed unreasonable.

    o If the appeal is based on substantial violation of hearing procedure:
        - Citation of specific procedural errors with appropriate reference
        - Reason(s) why procedural error was not mentioned in the original hearing
        - Reason(s) why correction of error can contribute to a decision other than that which was originally made.

APPEALS FOR SOCIAL POLICY CASES

Appeal Process for Sanctions less than Disciplinary Suspension or Permanent Separation from the University

The assistant dean of students for judicial affairs or his designee will review requests for appeals from students. The decision of the assistant dean is final.

In those cases where the assistant dean of students was the original hearing officer, the request will be forwarded to the assistant vice president for student life who will review the appeal. The decision of the assistant vice president is final.

Appeal Process for Disciplinary Suspension or Permanent Separation from the University

The assistant dean of students for judicial affairs will forward the request for appeal to the University Appeals Board which will review the case. The decision of the appeals board is final.

APPEALS FOR ACADEMIC POLICY CASES

Student assigned "university related" sanctions by the assistant vice president for academic affairs, or by the University Honor Board may request an appeal with the University Appeals Board. The decision of the appeals board is final.

The University Appeals Board has the authority to:

o Uphold the original decision

o Uphold the original decision but change the sanction

o Exonerate the student.

o Remand the case to the original hearing officer or hearing board.

NOTE: The written appeal must be clear and specific as the University Appeals Board may base its decision solely on the written appeal. An appeal does not guarantee the opportunity to meet with the appeals board.

University Appeals Board
The University Appeals Board is composed of the vice president for Student Life or his designee, the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs or his designee, the president of the Student Government Association (SGA) or another executive officer of the SGA and a faculty member. Students who receive a course grade of "F" as a result of an honor code violation may not grieve that grade through the university's grade grievance policy.

Follow this link to print a grade appeal form.