For cases resolved via the Conduct Process, the appellate reviewer is the Provost of West Virginia University (or designee).
Appeal Procedures
- Students may submit a written appeal per the timeline and instructions provided in their outcome notice.
- The Office of Academic Integrity will forward the appeal to the Provost of West Virginia University (or designee). All relevant documentation concerning the charge and penalty will also be forwarded.
- Within thirty (30) calendar days after the student has submitted the appeal, the Provost (or designee) will make a decision. This will then be communicated via WVU email to the student and other individuals with a legitimate educational interest. The decision is final, and no further appeals are possible.
- The Provost (or designee) will retain all documentation related to the appeal for five (5) years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students may appeal the charge, the penalty, or both. Specifically, students may appeal because the decision and/or the penalty was unreasonable; the decision was discriminatory, arbitrary, or prejudiced; or because the decision-maker refused to consider relevant information. A more detailed outline of the grounds for appeal is available in the WVU Policy on Student Academic Integrity.
The appellate officer for cases managed through the Conduct Process is the Provost of West Virginia University (or designee).
If there is a known conflict of interest with the appointed designee, the Office of Academic Integrity will work with the Provost's Office to identify an appropriate alternative.
The appellate officer is required to review all relevant documentation as provided by the Office of Academic Integrity. They may also choose to meet with the accused student, authorized reporter, or other involved parties - but are not required to do so.
In the Conduct Process, the student may be represented by an attorney. Alternatively, they may be accompanied or advised by a person of their choice from the University. More information on the role of either an attorney or advisor is available in the West Virginia University Campus Student Code.
The deadline for a student to submit an appeal will be communicated in their outcome notice. The appellate officer has thirty (30) calendar days to reach a decision. If an extension by either party is needed, they should consult with the Office of Academic Integrity for guidance.
Yes and no. Grade-based sanctions are imposed pending appeal but may be reversed if warranted based on the final decision. Both disciplinary and educational sanctions, however, are put on hold.
Yes. Appeal reviewers can decrease the severity of a sanction or dismiss a sanction/charge entirely. However, they cannot impose a more severe sanction.