Guides

23 The Washington Center • Code of Conduct Spring 2025 VII. Appeals Process for Conduct Sanctions Participants found in violation of any TWC policy or who have outstanding financial matters may appeal to the next level of the conduct process. Verbal warnings, written warnings and orders of no contact are not subject to appeal. The outcome of a hearing is subject to one request for appeal. An appeal will be granted only if one or more of the following criteria are met: • There is insufficient information that the policy was violated. • The disciplinary action/sanction(s) is disproportionate or not commensurate with the violation. • New relevant information is available that was not available at the time of the hearing. A notice of intent to appeal must be submitted in writing to conduct@twc.edu within 36 hours of the receipt of the notice of outcome. The request to appeal must include the criteria under which the appeal is being submitted. A notice of intent to appeal is a written communication from the participant stating, "I intend to appeal the sanction issued on [sanction date] by [conduct officer/hearing board]". It must include the criteria (a, b, or c listed above) that relates to their case. The notice of the intent to appeal may also include an appeal statement explaining the criteria further. The notice of intent to appeal will be reviewed by the designated appeal officer to determine the validity of the request for appeal in accordance with the criteria listed in number one, listed above. The participant will be informed of the decision pertaining to the request for appeal within three business days of submitting the request. The notification requirement may be extended to allow for adequate consideration for the request for appeal. If this is the case, the participant will be notified in writing (via email). If the request to appeal is granted, the case may be referred to the original conduct officer or board, a new conduct officer, or a new conduct board. The appeal officer may also modify the sanction(s) without granting a second hearing. If/when an appeal is granted, the entire conduct file related to the case will be sent to the appeal officer or board. All sanctions are upheld until the appeal process is completed (for example: resident eviction from housing or program stands until the appeal is processed). If eviction is an assigned sanction, TWC does not provide housing support during the time in which the appeal is being heard. Participants are responsible for their own accommodation during this time. All appeal hearings are conducted in accordance with the general conduct procedures. A decision regarding the appeal will be determined within ten business days. The original sanctioning may be modified, removed, or increased to a new level, including eviction or expulsion. A request for appeal may only be filed one time. The outcome of an appeal decision is not subject to a second appeal. A participant's campus liaison (if applicable) will be notified of the outcome of an appeal hearing, upon conclusion.

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