Appeal Hearing
If your student appealed the charging document you filed, there will be an appeal hearing. Ideally the appeal hearing takes place in person, but it could be an online meeting if necessary.
The AIO emails your @tntech.edu email address to schedule the appeal hearing unless your student opted into a Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA) hearing as per Policy 112. Once the AIO finalizes the appeal hearing schedule, you'll receive an email at your @tntech.edu email address to inform you of the day and time. That email also includes your charging document, your student's appeal form, and all supporting documentation you and your student have submitted.
The hearing takes place within eight business days after your student emails the appeal form to the AIO unless there are extenuating circumstances. This means the hearing could be up to three weeks after you filed the charging document unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Please review Policy 216 for specifics about the hearing, the order of events, and how the committee voting works.
Click on the common questions below for helpful information about the appeal hearing.
- » Do I have to attend the hearing?
It is in your best interest to attend the hearing so you can respond to questions the committee may ask you to help clarify your case.
However, if you want, you can submit your case in writing to AIO@tntech.edu at least 24 hours before the appeal hearing in lieu of attending. Then the AIO reads your case at the appeal hearing.
- » Who attends the hearing?
Attendees include you, your student, and the University Academic Integrity Committee members.
It is possible your student does not attend and submits their appeal in writing in lieu of attending. If so, the AIO reads their appeal at the appeal hearing.
- » What should I say?
Be sure to plan what you are going to say! It helps you be clear when explaining your case.
What to do during the hearing:
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- Refer to the key/important points from your charging document.
- Add additional points that were not included in your charging document. These are most likely points responding to the student's appeal form.
- Speak from notes so you can stay on track and cover everything you want to address.
- Be polite, respectful, and professional.
What to avoid during the hearing:
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- Do not "argue" with your student. You should be presenting your case to the committee. You should not speak to your student with "you" statements (examples: you are wrong, you cheated, you ignored my syllabus, etc.).
- Do not read your charging form. The committee and your student have already received your form.
- If a committee member asks you a question, do not assume you know how the committee will vote. The committee's goal is to understand everything related to the academic integrity violation charge.
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Be sure to review the Procedures Overview and the Instructor Procedures & Deadlines for information about the rest of the process.
