Appeal statement template: Appeal of an academic integrity breach outcome
If you have received an academic integrity breach outcome and you are considering submitting an appeal, please contact our Advocacy team for a free appointment. Our experienced team can support you through the process.
If you have received an academic integrity breach outcome from a Faculty Academic Integrity Committee and you would like support preparing an appeal to the University Appeals Committee, we’re here to help.
Here is an Appeal Statement template that you can use to draft your appeal of an academic integrity breach outcome/decision. Please ensure you have read our Appeal of an Academic Integrity Breach Outcome webpage prior to writing your written submission. Please also contact a DUSA Advocate for individualised support with preparing your appeal.
Please note: The below Appeal Statement template is only for appealing an outcome regarding a substantiated (proven) breach of academic integrity, i.e. you have already received an Academic Integrity Breach Allegation Outcome. If you have not already received an outcome, you can access our Academic Integrity Breaches webpage here.
Example appeal statement – for appealing academic integrity breach outcomes
Deakin University Appeals Committee
Deakin University
(insert address of your campus)
(insert date)
Dear Deakin University Appeals Committee members,
Re : Appeal against a Faculty Academic Integrity Committee’s decision or outcome regarding a substantiated breach of academic integrity in Assessment Item: in <insert unit code> <insert name of Assessment Item> in <insert Trimester, year>.
- I, (insert name), want to appeal against a decision of a Faculty Academic Integrity Committee to (insert decision and/or outcome (penalty) as indicated on the faculty outcome letter) pursuant to part 11 section 36 of the Academic Board Regulations.
Include a brief introduction here.
- I am appealing on the grounds of (briefly state which of the four possible grounds you are basing your appeal on).
[Consult a DUSA Advocate about which grounds are possible and relevant in your individual case. Then use whichever subheadings below are relevant and include an explanation for each ground you are appealing on.]
A misapplication of process occurred that resulted in material disadvantage to the student.
- Detail which university process/es or procedure/s were not followed properly.
- Describe how you think the misapplication of process resulted in material disadvantage occurring, e.g. disadvantage in relation to the decision to find the breach of academic integrity substantiated (proven) and/or the outcome (i.e. penalty) received.
- Refer to relevant Deakin University procedures and/or regulations to support your statements.
That the decision was manifestly wrong.
- Explain why the decision the Faculty Committee made is plainly and obviously wrong. You will need to provide details and evidence that a mistake or an error in reasoning has been made by the Faculty Committee.
- You may also find it useful to refer to the relevant procedures and regulations. For example, Section 31 of the Academic Board Regulations lists the principles guiding decision makers. These include the need to comply with natural justice and ensure investigations are impartial. If you think decision making was partial or biased, or that irrelevant evidence was relied on by the Faculty Committee in reaching a decision, you will need to provide concrete examples and evidence of this, referring to relevant documents such as the academic integrity allegation documents and/or the academic integrity outcome letter.
The outcome imposed by the original decision maker was manifestly excessive, inappropriate or not available in the circumstances.
- Explain why you believe the outcome (i.e. the penalty) is excessive or inappropriate in light of the evidence previously presented. If the outcome you received was not in accordance with the relevant Schedule A, explain this. If relevant, you could also check Schedule 1 (Academic Board Regulations).
New evidence that was not known or available at the time of the original decision is now available and could have affected the outcome of the decision.
- Explain the new information/supporting documentation you now have that you were not previously able to provide and how this new evidence could have affected the outcome or the decision.
- Indicate the reason why you were unable to provide this information earlier. For example, your medical practitioner was on leave, or your documents were in a place you were unable to access, or another reason.
- Explain how the new evidence either supports you not having breached academic integrity or not having breached it in the way described in the outcome letter, or addresses the circumstances surrounding the breach of academic integrity that occurred (e.g. Mitigating Circumstances).
Appeal grounds and supporting evidence.
- List the evidence you are providing with your appeal letter. Summarise and explain the link between the evidence you are providing and your nominated appeal grounds.
Conclusion.
- Summarise your main points.
Yours sincerely,
Student Name
Student ID
Mailing Address
Telephone
Email
Advocates can review your draft Appeal Statement (and your supporting documents) and provide you with free, confidential feedback before you finalise your appeal and submit it to the University Appeals Committee. Please contact us to arrange a free appointment.
