/Institutions/Strayer-University/json/Current/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Strayer-University/json/Current/Student-Handbook.json

Appeal to Disciplinary Committee

A student may appeal a disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, dismissal/expulsion, revocation of degree, or a grade reduction associated with any of the forgoing Sanctions.  The Disciplinary Committee shall be comprised of at least three members in addition to the University Provost.  The University Provost  or Provost designee will appoint the three upper-level University leaders to serve as members of the Disciplinary Committee upon receiving the student's request to appeal; provided, however, no member of the Disciplinary Committee may have any prior involvement in the matter which the student is appealing.  The Committee will include an upper-level leader from JWMI if the appeal is made by a JWMI student.  The only grounds for a disciplinary appeal shall be: (a) new evidence was discovered; (b) the consequences were not commensurate with the offense; and/or (c) failure to follow procedures constituted an error.  Prior to granting an appeal hearing, the University Provost or designee will review whether or not the student's appeal letter and supporting evidence establish sufficient grounds for an appeal hearing.  If the University Provost or designee determines that sufficient grounds have not been established for an appeal hearing then the decision of the Assistant Vice Provost of Student Affairs is the University's final response.

 

1. If a student requests an appeal, the request must be in writing to the Assistant Vice Provost of Student Affairs. The request must be postmarked or emailed within ten (10) days of the Assistant Vice Provost of Student Affairs' decision letter. The Assistant Vice Provost of Student Affairs will forward the appeal to the Disciplinary Committee along with all other information collected in the matter.
2. If the University Provost or designee determines that there are sufficient grounds for an appeal hearing, the Disciplinary Committee will schedule a disciplinary hearing via teleconference, giving the student reasonable time to prepare for the hearing.  The student has the right to be accompanied by counsel and/or other advisers such as parents or relatives.  Any student under the age of 18 at the time of the hearing must be accompanied by a parent or other legal guardian.  The counsel and/or advisers will be at the student’s own expense.  No more than three of the aforementioned parties shall be present in the hearing at any one time.  Although counsel and/or advisers may be present for the teleconference hearing, counsel and/or advisers may not speak or participate directly in the hearing.  The student must speak for him or herself.  A student also has the right to remain silent at disciplinary hearings; such silence will not be used as a factor in the determination or outcome of the matter.
3. Witnesses may be called on the student’s behalf or on the University’s behalf and the student may confront all adverse witnesses. Witness names should be presented at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing .
4. A recording of the hearing will be kept by the University. 
5. A written decision will be issued by the University Provost or designee on behalf of the Disciplinary Committee within ten (10) days after the hearing. This decision of the Disciplinary Committee will be final.
6. The Disciplinary Committee and the University are not required to hear or respond to appeals related to other forms of disciplinary action taken (including, but not limited to, Code of Student Conduct Warning letters at Levels I or II).
7. The student is advised that in all circumstances, the Disciplinary Committee and the University reserve the right to sever the relationship or to terminate the enrollment of any student from the University for any appropriate reason at any time without notice, a hearing, an explanation, or any other process.
8. The student is advised that every favorable inference will be given to the Disciplinary Committee and the University in the interpretation and application of the Code of Student Conduct Policy.
9. Students who have been suspended or expelled will not be permitted to enroll until and if a decision is made by the Disciplinary Committee to overturn a suspension or expulsion.
10. Students understand that the Code of Student Conduct Policy may at times be revised, and in all such instances students agree to remain apprised of developments and abide by the most recent version of the Code of Student Conduct Policy.