Appeal Process

The purpose of the SNHU appeals process in to ensure that a student has been fairly treated in the disciplinary process. An appeal cannot be filed simply because he/she does not agree with the original outcome of a hearing. The appeal process conducts its business primarily based upon the written record.

Any student has the right to appeal a decision made by a hearing officer as long as the Petition for Appeal is submitted within five business days of the decision being rendered, and one or more of the basis for an appeal is reasonably met. If the appeal is based on one of the following three criteria, it is defined as having merit and will be assigned to a designated appeal officer for review. The administrative hearing officer that determined responsibility will have an opportunity to respond to the appeal if he/she chooses.

Basis for an appeal:

New evidence is now available that was not at the time of the hearing
A procedural error(s) took place (due process was not followed)
Severity of the penalty assessed is not appropriate for the violation(s). (Not applicable for minimum standard sanctions of the SNHU Alcohol and Other Drug Policy).

If the Petition for Appeal does not meet any of the three criteria listed above, it is defined as not having merit, and there will be no basis for appeal. At this point the process is concluded and a letter will be sent via Email within five business days of receiving the appeal.

Instructions for submitting the Petition for Appeal:

Download the Petition for Appeal Form and turn it into the Office of Student Affairs located in Exeter Hall.
The form must be submitted within five business days of the discipline decision being rendered. Information on the form must be completed accurately, legibly, and concisely.

Once the form is submitted:

If your case is reviewed, a decision will be made within one week of receiving the petition. Outcomes could include the following: the decision or sanctions may be upheld, dismissed, changed, or a new hearing could be granted.

Appeals for administrative hearings will be heard by the assistant dean of students for rights and responsibilities. If a case was heard by the assistant dean of students or the judicial board, the appeal will be reviewed by two members of the judicial board, or the vice president of student affairs.

The university has the right to notify victims of hearing and appeal results. In cases of sexual assault, the university is required to notify the victim. If a decision is overturned, the person(s) hearing the appeal will also provide a written rationale for overturning decisions to the office/staff member who made the original finding.