The Appeals Process

Should a student be found responsible for violating Onondaga Community College’s Code of Conduct, they are permitted to appeal that decision. The process that the student will follow is dependent on the severity of the sanctions, also referred to as consequences, placed upon them.

How to Appeal

The sanction DOES NOT include removal from on-campus housing, suspension, or expulsion

Any student found responsible for violating institutional policy through a Student Conduct Hearing may appeal that decision by filing a written request to the Dean of Students.

Students may submit an appeal for the following reasons only

• A procedural error that unfairly and materially affected the outcome of the disciplinary hearing;
• “After acquired” information that is relevant to the alleged violation, discovered only after the conclusion of the disciplinary meeting, could not reasonably have been discovered prior to or during the hearing, and which, if previously known, would have had a significant bearing on the outcome of the disciplinary hearing;
• Clear abuse of discretion on the part of the Administrative Officer or the hearing board; or
• A sanction that is unreasonable considering the offense(s) committed.

The appeal must be made in writing and include information as to why they feel an appeals hearing is needed. This must be done within 48 hours of the electronic notification of the decision to the Dean of Students, or designee, at s.m.schuhert@sunyocc.edu.

The Dean of Students, or designee, will determine if an appeal should be granted. Notification of the decision will be made to the student within three (3) business days.

Should the Dean of Students find that the information presented by the student warrants a new hearing, the Dean will call together a Student Conduct Appeals Board to rehear the case.

The sanction DOES include removal from on-campus housing, suspension, or expulsion

Should a student be informed that they will be suspended, expelled, or that they will have to move out of on-campus housing that student will be provided the opportunity to participate in a formal appeal hearing without being required to provide a reason why. To request this appeals hearing, the student must email this request within 48 hours of the electronic notification of the decision to the Dean of Students, or designee, at s.m.schuhert@sunyocc.edu.

Upon receipt of this request, the Dean of Students will call together a Student Conduct Appeals Board to rehear the case.

Appeal Hearing Information and Procedures

If a student is granted the opportunity to appeal, all attempts will be made to have the conduct case reheard within ten (10) business days of the appeal hearing being granted. If a student requests an appeal hearing during the last two weeks of a semester all efforts will be made to facilitate the hearing prior to the end of the semester but may take place after the semester has concluded.

Student Appeal Hearings are not a court of law. They are conducted by the Student Conduct Appeals Board and not bound by the technical rules of evidence. They may hear or receive any testimony or evidence which is relevant and material to the issues presented which will contribute to a full and fair consideration of the charge. In hearings involving more than one responding student, the evidence will be heard jointly, but separate determinations of responsibility will be made for each responding student. The appeals hearing is not open to the public.

Depending upon the severity of the disciplinary violations, a suspended or expelled student may or may not be permitted to attend class during the appeal hearing process.

During the appeals hearing, the Chair of the Student Conduct Appeals Board will lead the discussion. That individual will ensure that all parties are provided the opportunity to share their perspectives on the incident being discussed. Upon the conclusion of the appeals hearing, the Chair will adjourn the meeting so that the Appeals Board can determine levels of responsibility, and if appropriate, recommend sanctions.

The Appeals Board will inform both parties of the final determination within three (3) business days after the hearing. Notification will be made in writing, either electronically and/or through the mailing to the local or permanent address of the student as indicated in official Onondaga Community College records.

Determinations of responsibility made by the Student Conduct Appeals Board are final and binding.