Appeal Hearing
If you appealed your academic violation charge and/or your penalty, there will be an appeal hearing. This hearing is an official university process with the University Academic Integrity Committee. More importantly, it is your opportunity to present your appeal and try to alter the academic integrity violation charge and/or penalty.
The AIO emails you at your @tntech.edu email address for your availability to schedule the appeal hearing. Once the appeal hearing schedule has been finalized, the AIO emails you at your @tntech.edu email address to inform you of the day and time. That email also includes your instructor's charging document, your appeal form, and all supporting documentation you and your instructor have submitted.
The hearing takes place within eight business days after you emailed the appeal form to the AIO unless there are extenuating circumstances. Ideally the appeal hearing takes place in person, but it could be an online meeting if necessary.
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 tips about the appeal hearing.
- » Do I have to attend the hearing?
It is in your best interest to attend the hearing. Your instructor presents their case before you present your appeal. Attending the hearing means you can respond to specific points the instructor made if desired. If you are at the hearing, you can also respond to questions the committee may ask you to help clarify your appeal.
However, if you want, you can submit your appeal in writing to AIO@tntech.edu at least 24 hours before the appeal hearing in lieu of attending. Then the AIO reads your appeal at the appeal hearing.
- » What should I wear?
There is no dress code, and a suit or dress is not required. You should dress appropriately to speak in front of faculty, deans, and other university committee members.
- » Who attends the hearing?
Attendees include you, your instructor, and the University Academic Integrity Committee members.
It is possible your instructor does not attend and submits their case in writing in lieu of attending. If so, the AIO reads their case at the appeal hearing.
Your friends or parents cannot attend the appeal hearing.
- » What should I say? How much should I talk?
Be sure to plan what you are going to say! It shows that you have prepared and your appeal is important to you. It also helps you be clear when explaining your case.
What to do during the hearing:
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- Pay attention when your instructor presents their case; you may want to respond to specific points they make when it's your turn to speak.
- Refer to the key/important points from your appeal form.
- Add additional points that were not included in your appeal form. These may be things you thought of since you submitted the form, or they might be in response to what your instructor said.
- If you were involved in the academic integrity violation and are only appealing the penalty, you could explain your mistake and what you've learned from this incident.
- Speak from notes so you can stay on track and cover everything you want to address.
- Be polite, respectful, and professional.
- It's totally normal that you are nervous. Take your time and breathe!
What to avoid during the hearing:
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- Do not "argue" with your instructor. You should be presenting your case to the committee. You can respond to what your instructor said. However, you should not speak to your instructor with "you" statements (examples: you are wrong, you are being unfair, you didn't listen, etc.).
- Do not read your appeal form. The committee and your instructor have already received your form.
- If a committee member asks you a question, do not assume that is a bad thing or they assume you are guilty. The committee's goal is to understand everything related to the academic integrity violation charge.
- Do not text or play on your phone during the appeal hearing.
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Be sure to review the Procedures Overview and the Student Procedures & Deadlines for information about the rest of the process.
