Below are some of the decisions that may be appealed to the SBSA:

Academic Integrity Policy – decisions made by a Faculty Adjudicator

Form B Formal Inquiry decisions

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities – decisions of the Dean of Students that impose a sanction of suspension, expulsion, or involuntary withdrawal (for violation that do not involve Sexual Violence, Discrimination, and/or Harassment.

DEADLINE:  Students have three (3) weeks from receipt of the decision to file the Form C.

Hearings are normally scheduled ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO SIX MONTHS after receipt of the appeal. However, some Hearings may be scheduled beyond six months from receipt.

Why does it take 3-6 months to schedule a hearing?  The Respondent must be sent the appeal and has to provide a response to the appeal, which usually takes a minimum of four weeks.  The process of scheduling the hearing can only begin after both parties submissions have been received as:

• the number of witnesses being called by both parties determines how much time is required for the hearing; and
• if the parties are being represented by counsel, or accompanied by an Advisor, the availability of those individuals must also be considered in the scheduling process.

An appeal to the Senate Board for Student Appeals (SBSA) is the final step a student may take within the University to secure a remedy.

The decision from a lower level stays in effect unless and until it is overturned on appeal.  This means that submitting an appeal will not prevent the decision being appealed from being carried out.

In any appeal, the Appellant (the student) shall bear the onus of showing, on the balance of probabilities, that an injustice or error has occurred at the level of the decision being appealed.

Zoom is the online platform that McMaster uses for conducting hearings remotely.

The Form C will ask for the following information:

• a statement (description) of the grievance;
• the precise grounds for the appeal;
• the relief sought;
• preference for closed or open hearing;
• names of witnesses to be called and ‘will say’ statements of such witnesses (prepared by the Appellant);
• name of Appellant’s advisor or counsel, if applicable (include the contact form);
• a copy of the decision being appealed; and
• any documents the Appellant wishes to submit as evidence in support of the appeal.

Appellants have the right to be:

• represented by Legal Counsel, or
• accompanied/assisted by an Advisor (e.g. friend, family member, or colleague)

The Advisor/Counsel Contact Form would need to be completed if the Appellant has chosen to be represented/accompanied.

To submit the appeal electronically please contact the HEARINGS EMAIL at least two (2) business days before the appeal submission is due to request an upload link.

The appeal must be submitted to the University Secretariat within three (3) weeks of receipt of the decision being appealed.

The submission MUST include:

• Form C – Appeal to the SBSA;
• a copy of the decision being appealed; and
• Advisor/Counsel Contact Form (if relevant)