St. Cloud State University

Appeal Procedure

Following the outcome of the panel decision, a student may request an appeal hearing before the Vice President for Student Life and Development. The request for an appeal must be submitted in writing to the Vice President for Student Life and Development within two (2) days of the date of the notification of the decision. Failure to file an appeal or request an extension in a timely manner constitutes a waiver of any right to an appeal. Generally, the basis for an appeal will be limited to the following grounds:

1. The sanction is excessively severe.
2. New or newly discovered evidence is of a character which may substantially affect the outcome of the hearing.
3. There was a procedural error which substantially affected the outcome of the hearing.

The appeal letter will be reviewed and, if there is adequate reason to believe that one or more of the grounds for appeal has merit, an appeal hearing will be scheduled between the accused student and the Vice President for Student Life and Development. A student's attorney or adviser may attend this meeting if criminal charges are pending against the student. In the event that new evidence is relevant to the outcome of the decision, the Vice President for Student Life and Development may request a re-hearing by the original panel. The Vice President for Student Life and Development will render a decision and notify the student in writing within five (5) days of the appeal hearing. Appeals on grounds other than those listed above may be allowed if the grounds can be adequately documented or supported. Suspensions lasting more than ten (10) days or expulsion from the university will be listed on the student's official academic transcript. After a period of five (5) years, the student may make a request in writing to the Vice President for Student Life and Development that the notations of disciplinary action be removed from their transcript. Decisions will be made based on the circumstances surrounding the request and the original offense.

Chapter 14 - Contested Case Hearing

Students receiving suspension for more than 10 days or expulsion may request a contested case hearing in a timely manner before an administrative law judge supplied by the Minnesota State Hearing Examiner's Office in St. Paul, MN. The hearing officer will issue a recommendation to the President of the University who will make the final decision.