Appeals

The student conduct process is designed to be educational, student-centered, and fair. The well-trained staff who facilitate the conduct process may make mistakes. The appeal process provides a way for WMU to correct errors.

Students can request an appeal within five (5) business days of receiving their conduct outcome for the following reasons:

1. Procedural error - To determine whether the original hearing was conducted fairly in light of the charges and information presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures giving the complainant a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present information that substantiates that the Student Code was violated, and giving the respondent a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present rebuttal of those allegations.
2. Insufficient information - To determine whether the decision reached regarding the actions of the respondent were based on sufficient information, that is, whether the facts in the case were sufficient to establish that it is more likely than not that a violation of the Student Code occurred and the student was responsible.
3. New evidence - To consider new information sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing because such information and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original hearing.

Typically, the decision of the Appeal Officer is final. When a student has been suspended or expelled, the Appeal Board’s decision may be appealed within five (5) University business days of receiving the decision.