College of Optometry (CO) 2024–2025 118 hearing on academic or disciplinary matters. The appeals board has only two options available: it can uphold the initial decision, or it may remand the case to the dean for correction of the procedural error. Appeals Board Membership The appeals board shall consist of an HPD administrative designee, two faculty members, and a chair from the college faculty appointed by the dean of the CO. The assistant dean for Student Affairs and Admissions and the associate dean for Academic Affairs are ex officio members of the appeals board. Hearing Process and Protocol The appeals board hearing will proceed under the direction of the chair, and summary notes of the hearing must be taken. The student will be notified of the date, place, and time of the hearing via the student’s NSU email account and regular mail to the student’s registered address by the chair of the Appeal’s Committee, with a copy to the dean, the associate dean for Academic Affairs, and the assistant dean for Student Affairs and Admissions. Any student who fails to appear at the designated place, date, and time will automatically waive the right to appeal. The student will be present only during the student’s testimony. At this time, the student will have the opportunity to present the appeal, provide statements and evidence in support of the alleged procedural violation(s), appeal the degree of disciplinary action, summarize the student’s position, and respond to any questions from the board members. Legal representation or any other form of representation is prohibited during the hearing. The student can provide the chair with a list of witnesses the student may have, in writing, no later than three business days before the hearing date. The appeals board may question the witnesses during the hearing. The appeals board will have the option of calling more witnesses. The witnesses will be dismissed following their testimony. The student shall not be present during the questioning of any witnesses. Once the meeting is convened, the chair will advise the board members of the charge(s) and the dean’s decision. The associate dean for Academic Affairs will present the case on behalf of the CO. The board members will review the evidence, respond to any questions, and provide opportunity for any additional input from the ex officio member, the assistant dean for Student Affairs and Admissions. The board members will render a decision on the student’s appeal by majority vote of the voting members in attendance. The board may delay the vote if it determines that additional information or facts are needed before a vote. The chair will participate in the voting process only in the case of a tie or if the chair is counted to make a quorum. Notification of the Appeals Board Decision The chair will forward the decision of the board, in writing, to the dean who will forward it to the student via email to the student’s NSU email address, certified mail to the student’s address on file, or via hand delivery with receipt. If a student’s appeal is successful, the Appeals Board will dictate the next course of action for the student’s academic career. All decisions of the appeals board will be final and binding. No further option for appeal will be considered. Requirements for Graduation The degree(s) of Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and the Doctor of Optometry are awarded to candidates who have demonstrated to the faculty their ability to meet the standards of the optometric
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