Office of Student Life
Student Conduct

Appeals

Student Conduct Appeals

The Code of Student Conduct provides students the right to appeal the original decision resolving their charges. Refer to the Appeal Procedures document for additional information about the process. 

Grounds

The Code of Student Conduct provides specific grounds upon which students can appeal:

  • Procedural error that resulted in material harm or prejudice to the student (i.e. by preventing a fair, impartial, or proper hearing). Deviations from the designated procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless material harm or prejudice results;
  • Discovery of substantial new evidence that was unavailable at the time of the hearing and which reasonably could have affected the decision of the hearing body; or
  • Disciplinary sanction imposed is grossly disproportionate to the violation(s) committed, considering the relevant aggravating and/or mitigating factors.
    • If a student chooses an Administrative Decision to resolve their case, this is the only ground a student may appeal.

Submitting an Appeal

Students have five business days to submit an appeal. Students experiencing extraordinary circumstances may request a reasonable extension from the Student Conduct staff member who sent the outcome. Granted extensions rarely exceed four additional business days. 

Students submit their appeal request and any supporting documentation through the online appeal form. Students should review the form first, then gather their materials and write draft responses to the form’s questions. Preparing this material in advance is important as you cannot save this form “in progress” and come back to it later.

A physical copy of the appeal form is available to students who wish to submit a printed "hard copy" appeal in person, by mail, or as an attachment to an email. Due to construction projects in and arround Lincoln Tower and varying staff schedules, students must call Student Conduct at 614-292-0748 to schedule an appointment before attempting to deliver an appeal in person.

Hearing Materials

If you are appealing the outcome of a hearing, you may review the hearing packet and the audio recording of the hearing in the Student Conduct office file review room. Please contact our office to make an appointment. If you are not in Columbus or if other circumstances prevent you from coming to the office, contact your administrative hearing officer or board coordinator to discuss other options to review hearing materials.

Advisor

You may continue working with an advisor as you consider submitting an appeal. We strongly encourage students receiving sanctions involving separation from the university (suspension or dismissal) to consult with the Student Advocacy Center regarding questions about the impact those sanctions may have on their university account, transcript, current enrollment, and degree progress. The answers to those questions may affect what you include in your appeal. Students can only appeal ONCE. Thus, if you are later surprised by the effect your suspension date had, for example, on your financial aid and you did not include that information in your appeal, there is no recourse.

Potential Appeal Outcomes

The appeal officer will send notice of their final decision, which could include the following outcomes:

  • The appeal officer may uphold the original decision and/or sanction(s); or
  • The appeal officer may remand the case to the original hearing body to consider a specific issue as directed by the appeal officer, or the appeal officer may refer the case to a new hearing body to be reheard; or
  • The appeal officer may modify or reduce sanction(s); or
  • The appeal officer may dismiss the respondent’s case or individual charge(s) and vacate any portion or all the sanction(s).

COAM Appeals

Students appealing outcomes issued by the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) should follow the instructions found in their outcome letter. Student Conduct does NOT accept appeals for COAM cases. Student Conduct also does NOT accept or process appeals regarding academic dismissal related to grades. Students should seek direction from their academic advisor.