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Northwest Missouri State University

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Appeal Process

Any student found to have committed a violation by any of the discipline committees has the right to appeal his/her case.

Download Appeal Form View Word Document

In cases involving a Residence Hall Discipline Committee appeals will be considered by the Student Discipline Committee. In cases involving the Student Discipline Committee, appeals will be considered by the Student-Faculty Discipline Committee. In cases involving the Student-Faculty Discipline Committee, appeals will be considered by an Appeals Board appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

1. Notice

  1. If a student wishes to appeal a decision of a disciplinary committee, he/she should verbally indicate to the advisor of the respective committee within 24 hours after he/she has been informed verbally of the decision by the Committee. In any event, to be considered for this action, a written appeal View Word Document must also be presented to the advisor within three days (72 hours) after the student has been presented the Committee's decision.
  2. In cases involving the Residence Hall Discipline Committee, the written appeal should be given to the designated Residential Life Coordinator.

2. Appeal Board

  1. The right of the appeal does not entitle a student to a full rehearing of his/her entire case. Rather, the Appeal Board shall limit its review of the Discipline Committee’s action to the following issues:
    1. Did the Discipline Committee fail to afford the accused a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present his/her defense?
    2. Did the Discipline Committee incorrectly interpret a rule, regulation and/or policy or make an erroneous finding contrary to the strength of the evidence presented?
    3. Has new evidence surfaced that could have a direct bearing on the case?
    4. Was the sanction imposed appropriate when considering the gravity of the violation?
    5. Was the decision consistent with the weight of the evidence?
      1. The matter may not even come to the Appeal Board unless the student presents the board with a written appeal stating a clear basis for one or more of the findings by the previous hearing committee mentioned above. The Appeal Board may, but need not, limit inquiry to the issue or issues put forward in the student’s written appeal. The Appeal Board may, at its discretion, ask the student or any other party to make an oral or written presentation.
      2. The Appeal Board may accept the decision of the Discipline Committee; reverse the Discipline Committee's decision and return the case to the Committee for further hearings, considering suggestions that the Appeal board may make; or reverse the Discipline Committee's decision and dismiss the case. It may NOT increase the sanction but it may, at its discretion, decrease the sanction. Returning the case to the Discipline Committee shall not be deemed to be double jeopardy, since the first hearing is still not complete.
      3. If the Appeal Board accepts the report of the Discipline Committee, the matter is deemed final and binding upon all parties; except that either may petition the original Discipline Committee to reopen the matter upon discovery of new material evidence. The Discipline Committee will judge the relevance and materiality of the new evidence; however, no appeal can be taken from that decision.