The Office of Student Conduct strives to address behavior which violates the Student Code of Conduct and other policies of Pacific University justly and according to the procedures outlined in the Code. These procedures also give students who are found in violation of policies the option of appealling decisions rendered by Student Conduct Boards under certain circumstances to ensure students rights are protected.
To Submit an Appeal
After a hearing in which you have been found in violation of a policy, you will recieve email notification of the hearing outcome, including any sanctions you have been assigned. In this message, you will recieve a link to a website at which you can submit a written appeal. When writing your appeal, be sure to explain which of the four grounds for appeal you believe you meet and why (see points 2.a-b below). The Office of Student Conduct will then be in touch with you regarding the status of your appeal and if any further information is needed.
Appeal Deadlines and Requirements
From the Student Code of Conduct:
1. A decision reached by the Student Conduct Board or a sanction imposed by the Student Conduct Board may be appealed by the Accused Student(s) or Complainant(s) to the Conduct Advisor within seven (7) days of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Student Conduct Advisor or his or her designee. All decisions made by the Appeals Board are final and cannot be appealed.
2. Except as required to explain the basis of new information, an appeal shall be limited to a review of the verbatim record of the Student Conduct Board Hearing and supporting documents for one or more of the following purposes:
a. To determine whether the Student Conduct Board Hearing was conducted fairly in light of the alleged violations and information presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures giving the complaining party a reasonable opportunity to prepare and to present information that the Student Code was violated, and giving the Respondent a reasonable opportunity to prepare and to present a response to those allegations. Deviations from designated procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless significant prejudice results.
b. To determine whether the decision reached regarding the Respondent was based on substantial information, that is, whether there were facts in the case that, if believed by the fact finder, were sufficient to establish that a violation of the Student Code occurred.
c. To determine whether the sanction(s) imposed were appropriate for the violation of the Student Code, which the student was found to have committed.
d. To consider new information, sufficient to alter a decision, or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such information and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original Student Conduct Board Hearing.
3. If an appeal is upheld by the Student Conduct Appellate Board based on new evidence, or procedural error, the matter shall be returned to the original Student Conduct Board and Student Conduct Advisor for re-opening of Student Conduct Board Hearing to allow reconsideration of the original determination. If the appeal is upheld based on appropriateness of sanction the Student Conduct Appellate Board will determine final sanctions. If the appeal is upheld due to a lack of substantial information the Student Conduct Appellate Board renders a final decision. If an appeal is not upheld, the matter shall be considered final and binding upon all involved.