Outcome(s) and Appeals

Communicating the outcome(s)

• The Lead Investigator will contact both the complainant and the accused to inform them of any relevant findings and outcomes

• If the incident is serious and the Lead Investigator feels that it is necessary to escalate it to the University’s Misconduct Procedures, the complainant will be contacted and presented with their options. In the instance that the complainant does not wish to escalate the issue to the University, the case will be considered closed, however, they will be provided a list of external support services that may be able to assist.

Appeals

• Any person involved in the investigation is entitled to appeal any decision(s) made.  

• To appeal, the individual must communicate this in writing (via email) to the Lead Investigator. Appeals are open for 14 calendar days after the decision email has been sent to the complainant.

• The individual who makes the appeal has the right to include a written statement of a maximum 1,000 words to support them. This document will be included in the Appeals Panel review. This is not mandatory, but is encouraged.

• The appeals statement is strictly for the individual to appeal the efficacy of the investigation and fairness of the resolution, not to re-describe the original investigation matter(s). The appeals statement should describe why the individual wants to appeal, such as if they believe the investigation was biased; if the outcome was unfair; due diligence had not taken place, etc.

• If appealed, an Appeals Panel made up of 1 External Trustee, 1 Student Trustee and 1 Sabbatical Trustee will be formed. In the case that one of these roles is vacant, the panel will be made up of 3 relevant Trustees.

• No individual who has any close connection or prior involvement with the complainant or the accused will be included in the Panel.

• The Panel will meet within 14 calendar days to review all necessary and relevant documentation and make a decision to uphold the Lead Investigators outcome or to reopen the case. If the case is reopened, the Panel will conduct a further investigation following the procedures above. 

• The decision of the Appeals Panel is final.

• The Appeals Panel’s outcome will be communicated to the complainant or accused within 3 calendar days of the decision being made.