Can I Appeal the Violation?

If you disagree with the finding that you are responsible for an academic misconduct violation or with the sanction that is being assigned, you are allowed the option of filing an appeal. However, appeals must be submitted within a certain amount of time of the decision and must meet particular criteria.

Timing

You have five (5) business days from the meeting with the Aggie Honor System Case Manager about the violation report and sanction to submit a written appeal. Trying to avoid meeting with the AHSO Case Manager or claiming to have not received the notifications in order to extend the appeal period is not allowed. For cases handled by the instructor, the clock for an appeal to be submitted will begin automatically upon the 3rd and final contact attempt by the AHSO Case Manager.

Criteria

There are four specific criteria that are a valid basis for requesting an appeal. You can discuss one or multiple criteria in a single appeal.

• Substantial new evidence not available at the time of the original finding of responsibility by the instructor or Honor Council hearing
• Violation of due process rights
• The sanction is not commensurate with the violation
• The finding of responsibility is inconsistent with the facts presented by the instructor or to the Honor Council

Appeals based on financial considerations, delays in graduating, immigration status, or other personal inconvenience are generally not granted.

Decision

The appeal will be reviewed by the Aggie Honor System Director to determine if it meets one or more of the four criteria. The AHSO Director will then contact you and the instructor of the decision. The decision of the AHSO Director is final.

If the appeal is accepted for a case that had been handled autonomously by the instructor, an investigation meeting will be scheduled to gather together all relevant facts and followed by an appeal hearing. If the appeal is for a decision reached by an Honor Council panel, it will go directly to an appeal hearing.