Appeal Information
For general information on appeal processes, please review Student Rule 51 - Student Conduct Separation and Appeal and Student Rule 58 - University Disciplinary Appeals Panel.
Pursuant to:
58.1.1. Student Conduct Code Appeals. The University Disciplinary Appeals Panel (UDAP) will review and decide all appeals where a student is found responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code and a sanction of suspension and expulsion is imposed. For all other sanctions imposed for a violation of the Student Conduct Code, an administrative officer, appointed by the Dean of Student Life or designee, shall decide submitted appeals.
58.1.3. Status of Original Outcomes. Decisions made by a lower level hearing body shall not be final until an appeal deadline is passed, when the appeal is exhausted, or when a student chooses not to appeal.
58.3.2. Right to an appeal. A student who has been found responsible for violating the Student Conduct Code or discrimination not based on sex as outlined in Texas A&M University system regulation 08.01.01. has the right to appeal the original decision. The appealing student must complete an online appeal request form, or other stated method for submitting an appeal, within five (5) University business days of the delivery of the decision. The appeal does not create an entitlement to a new investigation or a full re-hearing of the case. The review is limited to the specific grounds outlined in this grievance procedure. The appeal request must state the specific grounds for the appeal and include all supporting documentation. Supporting documentation may be typed, reproduced material, or other material directly related to the basis for appeal.
Appeal Process
The attached Disciplinary Appeal Request Form must be utilized when appealing. If your explanation for the appeal does not fit in the space provided on the form, you may attach additional sheets as needed. You may include additional documentation supporting your appeal.
For an appeal to be considered valid, one or more basis of appeal must be cited and appropriately supported in the written appeal.
You have five (5) University business days from the date of notification of the sanction to file an appeal with the University.
Bases for Appeal
58.3.3. Bases for an appeal. An appeal may be based only upon one or more of the following grounds:
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- 58.3.3.1. Procedural error: A procedural error or omission that significantly impacted the outcome;
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- 58.3.3.2. New information: New information, unknown or unavailable during the original student conduct conference or at the time of the original decision that could have significantly impacted the outcome;
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- 58.3.3.3. Severity of the sanctions: The appropriateness or severity of the sanctions.
You must appeal on at least one of the bases described above.
Evaluation of Appeal
For an appeal to be considered valid, one or more basis of appeal must be cited and appropriately supported in the written appeal. Pursuant to:
58.3.5. Appeal request review. The chairperson will review appeal requests to determine whether one or more bases for appeal are supported by the appeal documents. If sufficient grounds have not been demonstrated, the chairperson may deny the appeal request or a portion of it. If the chairperson determines that there is a clear procedural error, the chairperson may refer the case back to the office with case jurisdiction to correct the error.
58.3.6. UDAP appeal decisions. UDAP will review the record for the case, the appeal request, and any submitted responses and replies outlined in section 58.3. In cases where the appeal is based on new information, UDAP will also review the relevant new information.
58.3.6.1. UDAP may take any of the following actions after reviewing the appeal:
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- Uphold the outcome/sanction(s) imposed by the original Student Conduct Panel or Student Conduct Administrator; o Modify the sanction(s) imposed by original Student Conduct Panel or Student Conduct Administrator;
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- Remand the case in whole or in part if sufficient new information is presented that may have materially altered the decision of the original Student Conduct Panel or Student Conduct Administrator, and was not or could not have been known at the time of the original student conduct conference; or
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- Remand the case in whole or in part, if UDAP determines that a procedural error occurred, with an instruction to correct the procedural error or omission. Upon correction of the error or omission, a Student Conduct Panel or Student Conduct Administrator will issue a new decision on the remanded issue(s). The new decision may be appealed.
58.3.6.2. After UDAP makes its decision, it will inform the appealing party of its decision in writing. UDAP will also provide notice of the outcome to anyone who is required to be notified pursuant to federal, state, or local laws or Texas A&M University Rules. All UDAP decisions are considered final and binding on all involved parties.