Applicants who disagree with a decision made as part of the safety questionnaire review process may appeal, provided it meets the criteria for appeal identified below, by submitting a written letter of appeal to the Vice President for Student Success within five  (5) business days of receipt of the Committee’s decision.

Appeals must be based on one or more of the following grounds:

  • Procedural Error. The student's application was denied due to an error in the safety questionnaire review process, which substantially affected the student's ability to receive a proper review of their application. A summary of this violation and its potential impact must be included in their appeal.
  • New information, unavailable during the original application review, has been discovered that could substantially impact the original decision. A summary of this new information and its potential impact must be included in the letter of appeal.

The appeal must include: i) the issue on appeal; ii) a detailed summary of the pertinent facts fulfilling the above criteria for appeal; iii) the substantive reason(s) the applicant disagrees with the decision; and iv) the applicant’s desired outcome. 

If the appeal is accepted, the Vice President for Student Success shall have discretion to request additional documents and information from the applicant or other relevant University officials. If the appeal is not accepted because it does not fulfill one of the criteria identified above or for any other valid reason, the applicant will be notified in writing within ten (10) business days of receipt of the request for appeal.

Upon acceptance of the appeal, the Vice President of Student Success shall render a written decision within fifteen (15) business days from acceptance of the appeal. The written decision shall identify the issue on appeal and the basis for any determination. The Vice President of Student Success may remand the case to the Office of the Dean of Students with directions for further clarification or processing, overturn the decision, or render an alternative decision. A copy of the decision shall be sent to the applicant and any relevant University officials.

The decision of the Vice President of Student Success shall be based solely on the record and relevant documentary evidence and is the final decision of the University in this matter.

Contact Information

Shannon DeRosa
Office of the Vice President for Student Success
Email: vpsuccess@montana.edu
PO Box 174220
Bozeman, MT 59171-4220
Phone: 406-994-2828