Appeals for RSO (Under Interim Suspension): RSO/AG has the right to appeal an interim suspension. The appeal must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Life (VPSL), or their designee, who is named in the interim suspension notification letter. The appeal letter must be written by the President of the RSO/the primary student point of contact for the AG. This letter must specify the basis for the appeal. The VPSL, at their discretion, may uphold, modify, or overturn the interim suspension.
Appeals (After a Hearing): All organizational conduct proceedings at Rhodes allow for an appeal of the outcome of the hearing. The appellate officer will be the Vice President for Student Life, or their designee. The Standards of Conduct Appeal Form must be completed, and is limited to three grounds:
- A hearing procedure was not followed; and/or
- The outcomes imposed were inappropriate for the violation of College policy; and/or
- New and relevant information has become available, sufficient to alter the decision, that was unknown or unavailable to them at the time of the original hearing.
Appeals that are not based on one or more of the above grounds may be dismissed without further meeting or action. As with the original hearing, legal counsel may not attend any appeals hearing. Any advice or assistance from legal counsel must be obtained prior to the hearing.
While an appeal is pending, the organization’s sanctions will be placed in abeyance until the appellate officer renders a decision.
The appellate officer may, at their discretion, render a decision based on what was submitted or contact the Respondent for an appeal hearing, and/or additional questions/information. The appellate officer may uphold, modify, or overturn the original decision. If the decision is modified, the appellate officer may, at their discretion and considering the information received, impose a more severe decision and/or outcome. The decision is final.