Appeal Process

  1. A student or a student organization may appeal the outcome of their administrative conduct review within three (3) business days of the date of the notification letter/e-mail. Appeals are coordinated by the Dean of Students or designee. The Dean is available to meet with students to explain process and procedures and to assist in all aspects of the appeal process. “Dean of Students” in this section should be read as “Dean of Students or designee.”
  2. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students. The written appeal must be clear, specific, and contain a detailed statement regarding the grounds for appeal.  Any written appeal that does not met the grounds for an appeal will not be considered. Appeals are not granted because the student disagrees with the original decision or sanctions.
  3. Appeals may be considered by an Appeal Board.  It is not the intent or purpose of the appeal process for the Board to rehear the information that was presented during the administrative conduct review.  Grounds for appeal are limited to the following:
    1. A procedural error or omission that significantly impacted the outcome of the review (e.g. substantial deviation from established procedures, not afforded rights as outlined in the Student Handbook, etc.).  Appeals based on procedural error or omission must outline the following:
      1. Citation of specific procedural error with appropriate reference to the Student Handbook; and
      2. Reasons(s) why the error or omission would significantly impact the original decision.
    2. To consider new information, unknown or unavailable during the original review or investigation, that could significantly impact the original finding or sanction. Withholding information during or declining to participate in the administrative conduct review is not grounds for an appeal based on new information.  Appeals based on new information must outline the following:
      1. Source of the new information and explanation of that information;
      2. Name(s) of who can present this information;
      3. Reasons(s) why this information was not presented during the administrative conduct review; and
      4. Reasons(s) why this information would significantly impact the original decision.
  4. The Appeal Board will be comprised of three members selected from a group of trained faculty, staff, and students.  Additionally, the Dean of Students shall be present as the non-voting chairperson (ex officio).
  5. The Dean of Students will notify the student of the Appeal Board members in writing at least three (3) business days before the Appeal Board meets. Students have the right to challenge the membership of any Appeal Board members due to prejudice or conflict of interest.
    1. The challenge must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students within 24 hours after the student received notice of the review. The Dean of Students will make the final determination of whether the member(s) challenged will be replaced by alternatives from the group of Appeal Board members.
  6. Appeals considered by the Appeal Board will be based on a review of the written appeal and relevant materials from the administrative conduct review. The Appeal Board may request an in-person meeting with the student if additional information is required. If an in-person meeting is requested by the Appeal Board, the student may have one advisor present. The advisor may act in an advisory capacity only and may not actively participate in the procedure (e.g. advisors may not ask questions or provide statements).
  7. Following the review of relevant information, the Appeal Board may:
    1. Uphold, modify in part, or overturn the original decision;
    2. Reduce, affirm, or increase sanctions;
    3. Remand the case to the original or a new conduct officer.
  8. Decisions made by the Appeal Board are final.

Download the Appeals Flowchart

Visit Butler University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy regarding the appeals process for reported incidents of sexual misconduct.

Visit Butler University’s Academic Integrity website and scroll to the section titled, “The student’s act of academic dishonesty takes place in a course in which the student is enrolled,” regarding the appeals process for alleged academic integrity violations.