Procedure 4.03.01

Part 1. Purpose

In accordance with Minnesota State Policy 2.1, Part 3, this procedure establishes an appeal procedure for decisions made by the College’s Student Senate. 

Part 2. Who May Appeal a Decision Made by the Minneapolis College Student Senate and on What Grounds

A student may appeal a decision made by the Student Senate when there is a reasonable basis to believe that the decision was reached in a manner that was inconsistent with established procedures, violated individual rights, or resulted in significant and substantiated harm. 

Appeals are not intended to reconsider disagreement with an outcome, but to address concerns related to fairness, process, or authority.

A student may submit an appeal on one or more of the following grounds: 

• Procedural error,
• Violation of rights or college/system policy,
• Bias,
• Conflict of interest,
• Unfair treatment,
• Exceeding authority, or
• New and substantial information that wasn’t available before.

Part 3. Student Senate Decision Appeals Process

Minneapolis College Student Life and Student Senate will create and maintain a Student Senate Decision Appeal Form. Minneapolis College Student Senate Decision Appeal Forms are available from the Director of Student Life.

Students should submit completed appeal forms to the Vice President of Student Affairs no later than one month following the Student Senate decision they wish to appeal.

The Vice President of Student Affairs or designee will review the appeal and provide a written response within ten class days to the individual or group at the email address that is listed on the appeal form.

The decision of the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee on the appeal is final. Student Life stores appeal requests and their outcomes in a private SharePoint site that only Student Life staff can access according to the data retention timeline.

Part 4. Appeals Requiring the College Grievance Policy

Per MinnState Board Policy 2.1, the Minneapolis College grievance policy must be used to appeal a Student Senate decision relative to chartering, funding, or providing services to student organizations that may violate the law, or a policy or procedure of the College or Minnesota State system.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Student Affairs

Date of Adoption: 7/1/1999

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A

Date Last Amended: 5/13/2026 (Comprehensive Review)

History and Subject of Revisions: 5/13/2026 (Comprehensive Review. Substantial revisions. Added a purpose, and details regarding who can appeal a decision by the Student Senate and on what grounds they can appeal. Details regarding the appeals process and when the grievance policy might be applied were also added.), 5/12/2022 (Limited Review)

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law): Minnesota State Board Policy 2.1