The Honor Committee voted unanimously last night to approve a new post-trial procedure that will combine the appeal and grievance processes.
The changes are largely procedural and will not affect students' rights of appeal.
"It's just the restructuring of the post-trial process to make it easier for dismissed students to understand their rights and options regarding post-trial appeals," Vice Chair for Trials Stewart Ackerly said.
Under the old procedure, expelled students could seek an appeal on the grounds of new evidence or good cause. If the appeal passed an appeal review, a pre-trial conference and an appeal hearing, it would result in a re-trial.
In addition, expelled students could file a grievance regarding the fairness of the proceedings which led to their dismissal. The grievance was screened by the Executive Committee and could be passed on to a Grievance Commission. A Grievance Commission could then recommend the Executive Committee to grant relief in a variety of forms, including a new trial or a new investigative panel.
Now, all the objections that were formerly called grievances will fall under the appeals criteria of good cause.
"It's a pretty significant change in our post-trial by-laws," Committee Chair David Hobbs said.
All appeals will now be screened by the Executive Committee, which can then forward the case to an Appeal Commission. An appeal can result in a new investigative panel, a new trial or the dismissal of the charges.
The changes are mainly intended to clarify post-trial procedure, Ackerly said.
"I think that it's definitely much clearer," Vice Chair for Investigations Lauren Ross said. "When you're dealing with a student who has been dismissed, it's in our best interest to make things as clear as possible."
Some committee members raised concerns about the fact that all appeals will now pass through the Executive Committee.
"I understand you don't want frivolous trials, but what I'm more concerned about is the hypothetical in which the Executive Committee becomes callous and reluctant to pass appeals on," Commerce School Rep. Matt Miller said.
Ackerly insisted that the new procedure will not make it any more difficult for dismissed students to obtain relief.
In addition, students will still have all of the same post-trial options as before, including expedited procedures to allow students to remain at the University during the post-trial process, Ackerly said.
The new procedure will take effect immediately for all newly initiated cases, Ackerly said.
Read More
Senior VP for Operations Colette Sheehy looks back at her career at the University
By Brandon Kile | 5 hours agoSheehy’s role involved overseeing the work of around 2,500 University employees, including custodians, architects and engineers.
Will the Faculty Senate’s no-confidence vote impact the U.Va. Board of Visitors?
By Brandon Kile | 21 hours agoIn many cases, a no-confidence vote may soon be followed by steps taken to remove the leadership that may be acting against the wishes of a community.
Two senior U.Va. Health leaders quietly take new jobs without formal announcement
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoKibbe’s departure marks the end of an ongoing battle between U.Va. Health employees and their senior leadership.
