15. Student Activities and Organizations

A. Student Organizations

1. Benefits of Involvement:
   The University of Central Florida (UCF) recognizes the importance of active and effective student organizations. Research clearly shows that those students who choose to become involved in some form of organized activity do better academically, persist through graduation, gain valuable career related and life skills, and experience greater personal development when compared to those students who choose not to get involved. These benefits are even more enhanced for those students who take on leadership roles within student organizations.
2. The Ability to Organize
   The University encourages students to organize themselves and to pursue personal and/or professional interests. Further, the University supports the choice to form and affiliate with an organization and strives to remove administrative barriers that would hinder such involvement.
3. University Oversight
   The University has the responsibility to exercise appropriate oversight over student organizations and their related activities. This includes the official registration of all student organizations through the Office of Student Involvement as well as oversight for the appropriate time, place and manner of all activities, events, etc. Policies and procedures related to the conduct of student organizations are presented below.

B. General Principles of Group Responsibility

1. Members of the organization act together to violate University standards of conduct.
2. A violation arises out of an organization-sponsored, financed, or otherwise supported activity.
3. The organization’s leadership has knowledge of the incident, behavior, etc. and fails to take corrective or prohibitive action before such incident, behavior, etc. occurs or fails to stop such incident, behavior, etc. while it is occurring.
4. A violation occurs on premises and/or transportation owned, operated, or rented exclusively by the organization.
5. A pattern of individual violations has occurred and/or continues to occur without adequate control, response, or sanction on the part of the organization or its leaders.
6. The organization or related activities provided the context for the violation.
7. The organization chooses to protect one or more individual offenders who are members, former members, or guests of the organization from official action.

C. Registration of Student Organizations

1. Registration Process
   To be considered for registration, a student organization must submit in writing to the Office of Student Involvement a list of UCF student members and their UCF PID numbers, a list of all officers and their UCF PID numbers, the signature of all officers and the faculty/staff advisor(s), and the organization's constitution. Proposed student organizations must have a minimum of twelve UCF student members, except at regional campus (which need a minimum of eight), or when affiliated with a national governing body (which needs a minimum of four). Proposed student organizations, whose mission/purpose appears to be a duplication of an existing organization, may not be recognized. No student organization may be set up so that any individual benefits monetarily from its existence. In seeking, securing, and maintaining the privilege to be registered, each student organization must agree in writing to abide by all university policies, procedures, and regulations and to hold harmless the University for any actions or activities of the organization.
2. Privileges of Registration
   Student organizations registered by the University may be granted the following privileges:
   • The privilege to use University facilities depending on availability, program and guidelines;
   • The privilege to request Student Government Association activity and service fees provided said organization adheres to the Student Body Constitution, the Student Body Statutes, and all Student Government financial regulations;
   • The privilege to establish dues and sponsor money-raising projects;
   • The privilege to use the University's name as part of the organization's name (See 15 I 15);
   • The privilege to invite guest speakers to campus;
   • The privilege to grant awards and honors to organization members.
   • The privilege of access to campus for recruiting, fundraising, and publicity;
   • The privilege of a free organizational e-mail address and web site;
   • The privilege of access to resources provided by university departments and offices;
   • The privilege of free or low-cost banking;
   • The privilege of an on-campus mailbox;
   • The privilege to apply for cubicle space on campus;
   • The privilege to program with SGA agencies;
   • The privilege to participate, as a group, in University-sponsored events
3. Registration of student organizations by the University shall not imply support for any student organization’s purpose, philosophy or activities. The University will not assume any legal liability for any student organization’s activities per Florida Administrative Code.

D. Update Reports and Inactive Organizations

E. Funds and Expenditures

F. Membership

G. Student Eligibility for Leadership Positions

1. The University has established the following minimum requirements for service in student leadership positions. Such positions may be elected or appointed and shall include without limitation, only as the University deems appropriate in its sole discretion, student government officials, officers of active registered student organizations, members of University department-sponsored groups, and members of University committees. These minimum requirements may be reviewed for waiver only under extraordinary circumstances as deemed appropriate by the University in its sole discretion.
   • During fall and spring semesters, a student leader must be continually enrolled as an activity and service fee-paying half-time student (currently defined as at least six (6) credit hours as an undergraduate degree-seeking student or a post-baccalaureate student, or at least five (5) credit hours in a graduate degree-seeking program). The student is not required to be enrolled during summer term; however, the student must be continuously enrolled during preceding spring semester and following fall semester. Exceptions shall be made for students in their last semester prior to graduation.
   • A student leader must have a minimum institutional grade point average of 2.5 for all hours earned while enrolled at UCF and/or previous educational institution if student is a transfer student in their first semester at UCF.
   • A student leader must be in good academic and disciplinary standing, defined as not being on academic or disciplinary probation.
   • A student leader must be free of financial or disciplinary holds on University records. Student will have two weeks to clear such holds before removal from leadership position.
2. Students who do not meet these minimum requirements may submit a written appeal to the Eligibility Appeals Board through the Office of Student Involvement within 1 week from the first day of being alerted of their eligibility delinquency by the Office of Student Involvement. The Eligibility Appeals Board is made up of students (3) appointed by the Student Body President and faculty (1) and staff (2) appointed by the Director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The board elects their chairperson, who votes only in case of a tie. The Eligibility Appeals Board shall resolve the issue within two weeks time. The appeal should address the causes for ineligibility and reasons for believing that the problems have been resolved. The Eligibility Appeals Board is the deciding body that, upon hearing the appeal may waive the eligibility requirements for one semester.

   The Eligibility Appeals Board may review the academic record of students in those positions of leadership or responsibility. The decisions of the Eligibility Appeals Board are final.

   The Student Government Association has established eligibility requirements for selected positions within student government. These requirements and governing procedures are presented in their election and eligibility statutes, which are made available to any student upon request, as well as to all candidates filing for office.

H. Faculty or Staff Advisor

I. Conduct Regulations for Student Organizations

The following defined and described actions include but are not limited to conduct for which disciplinary action may be taken. These regulations apply to all student organizations for conduct that occurs against students or non-students on University premises, while participating in University sponsored or related activities, during school sessions, during holidays and during periods of continuous enrollment or off campus when that conduct is determined to adversely affect the interest(s) of any part of the University.

1. Damage to Property
   Malicious or unwarranted damage or destruction of another's property is prohibited.
2. Theft, Disregard for Property
   No student organization shall take, attempt to take, or keep in its possession property or services not belonging to their organization. Misuse or mishandling of organizational funds by any officer, member, or other individual is prohibited.
3. Disorderly Conduct
   No student organization shall:
   • Act in a manner which can reasonably be expected to disturb the academic pursuits or infringe upon the privacy, rights, privileges, health, or safety of students or the University community or local community.
   • Obstruct the free movement of other students around the campus, interfere with the use of University facilities, or prevent the normal operation of the University.
   • Condone or encourage such acts of physical assault, including sexual assault.
   • Engage in obscene or indecent conduct.
   • Fail to comply with the administrative policies as enacted by the University.
   • Fail to comply with the directions of University officials or authorized agents acting in the performance of their duties.
4. Alcohol and Drug Related Misconduct
   Florida law prohibits possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by those under the legal drinking age and prohibits making alcoholic beverages available to persons under the legal drinking age (see Alcohol Policy section for more information).
   • No organization shall furnish or cause to be furnished any alcoholic beverage to any person under the legal drinking age.
   • The sale of alcohol is prohibited.
   • No organization shall furnish or cause to be furnished any alcoholic beverage to any person in a state of noticeable intoxication.
   • The unlawful possession, use, sale, and/or distribution of controlled substances is prohibited. Each organization shall take all necessary steps to see that this regulation is not violated at functions it sponsors as well as any property it owns, operates, and/or rents.
   • Each student organization shall take all necessary steps to see that no person under the legal drinking age possesses alcoholic beverages at functions it sponsors as well as within any property or transportation it owns, operates, and/or rents.
5. Unauthorized Entry
   Unauthorized entry, attempted entry, or remaining in private or restricted areas of the University, Greek Park, or community facilities is prohibited.
6. Gambling
   Student organizations are prohibited from the following:
   • Play or sponsor of an unlawful game of chance for money or for anything of value on University premises or at any affair sponsored by a student organization.
   • Unlawfully sell, barter, or dispose of a ticket, order, or any interest in a scheme of chance by whatever name on University premises or at any affair sponsored by a student organization.
   • Wage on a University team or organization in a competition, with or without an intent to have a direct influence in the success of the competition.
7. Hazing
   The University does not condone hazing in any form and defines hazing to include but not limited to:
   • Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health and/or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or association with, any organization operating under registration with the University.
   • Brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any food, liquor, liquid, drug, or other substances; or other forced elements; or other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental or physical health or safety of the individual.
   • Any activity that could subject the individual to mental or physical stress such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced contact which could result in embarrassment, or any other activity that could adversely affect the mental or physical health or dignity of the individual.
   • Forcing or requiring the violation of University policies, federal, state, or local law.
   • Any activity, as described above, upon which the initiation or admission into or association with a University organization may be directly or indirectly conditioned, shall be presumed to be a "forced" activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such an activity notwithstanding.
8. Outstanding Debt
   All registered student organizations are responsible for ensuring that all bills are paid to both on and off campus vendors in a timely manner. Groups shall not knowingly enter into purchase or rental agreements that are beyond the resources of the organization’s ability to pay. The University will not cover outstanding debts of student organizations.
9. Use of Facilities
   Registered student organizations planning events in University facilities are responsible for knowing any applicable policies and are expected to be in full compliance with them. Those individuals acting on behalf of an organization that reserve facilities should check with the University department or office responsible for the facility to guarantee that all procedures have been followed.
10. Fire Safety and Sanitation:
    • Tampering with or damage to fire safety equipment is prohibited. Causing, condoning, or encouraging the creation of any situation involving incendiary or other chemicals or substances, explosives, or fire that reasonably may result in danger to another’s person or property is prohibited.
    • Possession or use of illegal fireworks, incendiary devices, or dangerous explosives is prohibited.
    • Failure to properly maintain a student organization's facilities or property (or surrounding property) so as to create a potential danger to the health and safety of the occupants or members of the University and surrounding community is prohibited.
11. Advertising
    
    • Origination or circulation of any advertising media that contains matter that violates federal, state and/or local laws is prohibited.
    • Origination or circulation of any advertising media containing false or misleading information or obscene language or patently offensive material is prohibited.
    • See 15 I 15 for more information.
12. Falsification of Information
    • Causing, condoning, or encouraging the alteration or creation of any official University record, document or form to include incorrect or misleading information is prohibited.
    • Reporting or providing false, misleading, incomplete, or incorrect information to any official is prohibited.
13. Social Events
    • Allowing crowd size that exceeds such limits so as to infringe upon the rights and/or property of others and/or endanger those in attendance is prohibited. Student organizations should refer to other national parent organizations or University policies for specific information on crowd size.
    • Failing to provide adequate parking so that vehicles are impeding the normal flow of traffic, parked illegally or parked on private property without proper authorization is prohibited.
    • Failure to provide adequate security personnel or other security measures in order to ensure the safety of those in attendance at an organization-sponsored event is prohibited.
    • Conducting any event that interferes with the normal progress of academic events on campus is prohibited.
    • Failure to register any potentially hazardous event with the Office of Student Involvement and/or Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life 15 days before the event is prohibited and may result in penalty through the Office of Student Involvement and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
    • Failure to adhere to specific time limits and other restrictions required of all outdoor events involving bands or other forms of amplified music is prohibited.
    • Outdoor events must cease by the time determined by the Office of Administration and Finance. Outdoor events taking place on property not owned by the University must end at the time determined by the governing agency for that property.
14. Solicitation and Fundraising
    All student organizations shall conduct any solicitation and fundraising activities in a manner that does not violate or is contrary to the policies of the University or its Office of Student Involvement, the Student Union, and/or federal, state and/or local law. See Section 15; C; 3 for more information.
15. Misuse or Infringement of University's Names or Marks etc.
    Student Organizations are prohibited from the unauthorized use of the University's name, abbreviation, trademarks or wordmarks, including the Pegasus, monograms, seal, or other graphic identity symbols. The phrases "UCF" or "University of Central Florida" (or some form thereof) cannot precede the title of the organization, which includes, but is not limited to, the student organizations: domain name, web address, promotional materials, and uniforms/shirts.
16. Compliance with the Directions or Requests of University Officials
    Student organization officers and members shall comply with all directions or requests of University officials, University police officers, etc. in a timely manner.

J. Student Organization Conduct Review Process

1. Violation Reports
   Alleged violations of the UCF Rules of Conduct shall be reported in writing to the Director of the OSRR or designee. The written complaint of violation of the Student Organization Guidelines shall be made no later than one year following discovery of the alleged violation. After hearing a case involving individual students, a student hearing panel deems that the offense was an organizational offense in nature and not just the actions of an individual member, then the case will be handled as such. The Director of the OSRR or designee shall make appropriate inquiries into the circumstances of the case to determine one of the following dispositions:
   • Case dismissal
   • Administrative action
   • Mediation
   • Informal disposition
   • Formal disposition
   The chief officer of the student organization or another student member designated by a majority of the voting members of the organization is the sole representative of an organization when the organization is charged with a violation. This student member will be sent all notices and will appear at all hearings to represent the organization. A lawyer cannot be designated as the organization's representative for purposes of these guidelines. A lawyer can only be an advisor to the organization or its representatives.
   • Case Dismissal
     The Director of OSRR or designee may dismiss a case if it is found to not have sufficient facts or evidence to substantiate the claim of misconduct or the misconduct is not a violation of the conduct regulations.
   • Administrative Action Organizational Suspension
     In unusual cases, which dictate a decision for the welfare of any individual, the student body, or any part of the University or its community, the Director of OSRR or designee may take immediate and summary action to resolve the situation. This summary action may include any of the disciplinary sanctions (warning, restrictions, probation, suspension, or removal) or any lesser sanction that the Director of OSRR or designee determines necessary to protect the interests of any or all concerned. Such action is subject to review within ten (10) days by the Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services or designee. In the instance of organizational suspension or removal, there will be a scheduling of a hearing within ten (10) days to determine the status of the organizational suspension or removal. Sanctions taken through administrative action shall remain in effect until the final disposition of formal charges resulting from the circumstances of the case, unless the Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services or designee shall decide otherwise.
   • Mediation
     Depending on the nature and severity of the alleged violation, the Director of OSRR or designee may refer the case to the Dispute Resolution Services Office for mediation as an alternative to disciplinary action. Mediation is a confidential process whereby two or more parties voluntarily meet with an impartial mediator to communicate their concerns and needs to each other and to reach their own agreement on the resolution of the case. The organizational participants in mediation are responsible for keeping their agreement or renegotiating it, if necessary. In the event that the organizations do not reach a full and final resolution, the case will be referred back to the Director of the OSRR or designee for disciplinary action.
   • Informal Disposition
     At the discretion of the Director of OSRR or designee, violations found not to warrant formal disposition may be referred to an appropriate forum for proper disposition and/or settled by one or more of the following outcomes: warning; probation; restitution; community service; or other educational sanctions.
   • Formal Disposition
     If an alleged violation of the Student Organization Regulations and/or Rules of Conduct is not handled through other appropriate channels, is not dismissed, or is not settled informally, the Director of OSRR or designee shall present in writing formal charges to the student organization.

     This written notification shall include:

     1. The name of the organization, the chief student officer name, and address if applicable.
     2. Brief description of the alleged violation including date(s), time(s), and place(s) known at the time formal charges are prepared.
     3. Names of potential witnesses known at the time formal charges are prepared.
     4. A description of any written or physical evidence known at the time charges are prepared.
     5. An invitation to attend an information session during which the organization's representatives will receive instructions regarding the conduct review process and the organization's rights, confirmation of the forum in which the case will be heard, and an opportunity to inspect and/or copy the evidence known at the time charges are prepared that likely could be presented at the hearing.

     The charged student organization may request a hearing either before a panel of the Student Organization Conduct Board or before an Administrative Hearing Officer appointed by the Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services or designee.

   • Student Organization Hearing Board
     The Student Organization Hearing Board shall consist of no less than twenty-five (25) persons appointed by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The Student Organization Hearing Board shall consist of not less than five (5) faculty members and/or five (5) administrative staff members representing the various administrative divisions of the University, and ten (10) student members. Board members shall serve annual terms beginning and ending in August of each academic year. When a vacancy occurs, the Director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities or designee shall make new appointments to fill unexpired terms. Whenever the number of board members available to serve in a particular disciplinary hearing is reduced, the Director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities or designee may appoint additional members on an ad hoc basis.
   • Student Organization Hearing Panel
     A student organization hearing panel to consider individual cases shall be randomly selected by the Director of the OSRR or designee from the Student Organizational Hearing Board and shall consist of two (2) faculty or administrative staff members combined, and two (2) student members. Each panel shall elect from among its number an individual to conduct that hearing and to report its decisions to the Director of OSRR or designee. At hearings conducted by a student organization hearing panel, the Director of OSRR or designee shall act as an advisor to the panel, receive the panel's recommendation as to “in violation” or “not in violation” of the Rules of Conduct and/or Student Organization Guidelines, and consider any sanctions recommended by the panel.

     The Director of the OSRR or designee may accept the recommendation of “in violation” or “not in violation” or remand the case for rehearing. If the Director of the OSRR or designee accepts the recommendation of “in violation,” they may approve, mitigate or increase the sanctions recommended by the panel, based on standards set forth in the Sanctions for Student Organizations section of the Student Conduct Review Process.

   • h. Administrative Hearings
     Administrative hearings shall be conducted by a faculty or staff member randomly selected by the Director of the OSRR or designee. The charged student organization shall be informed of the hearing officer assigned to the case and shall have the opportunity to challenge the impartiality of the individual within three (3) business days of notification. The organization shall state in writing the basis for such challenge. A hearing officer so challenged will be excused; however, indiscriminate challenges shall not be permitted.

     The Director of the OSRR or designee may accept the recommendation of “in violation” or “not in violation” or remand the case for rehearing. If the Director of the OSRR or designee accepts the recommendation of “in violation,” they may approve, mitigate or increase the sanctions recommended by the panel, based on standards set forth in the Sanctions for Student Organizations section of the Student Conduct Review Process.

     Any decision by the Director of the OSRR or designee to alter sanctions or return a case shall be accompanied by a concise and explicit written statement that explains the basis for that decision.

2. Conduct of Hearings
   The following is furnished as a guide to the sequence of events in a hearing:
   • Reading of charges.
   • Presentation of evidence against the charged student organization.
   • Presentation of evidence in defense of the charged student organization.
   • Deliberation (In executive session).
   • Announcement of the recommendation.
3. Case Record
   The case record shall consist of the following items:
   • A copy of the formal charges in writing.
   • A video tape recording of the hearing.
   • All staff memoranda and/or data submitted.
   • All items of physical evidence submitted, provided such items are not returned to a rightful owner. In that case, photographs, or other facsimiles shall be made before return.
   • The recommendation by the hearing body, if any.
   • The Director of OSRR’s decision.

K. Student Organization Rights During the Conduct Review Process

1. All parties shall be afforded reasonable written notice, at least five (5) calendar days before the hearing. A letter sent to the chief student officer of the charged student organization at the address listed in the registrar's records shall constitute full and adequate notice.

   Provided, however, that the required notice stated above has been given to the group along with its representative(s) but a representative failed to attend a scheduled hearing without providing a satisfactory reason for the absence, the group will be placed on immediate social probation until such time the group appears before a hearing. Social probation includes but is not limited to the prohibition of the following: any on or off campus fundraisers, socials, intramural competitions, receptions, service projects, conferences, retreats, etc. Groups under social probation may gather at regularly scheduled business meetings. The organization will also not be able to update its registration until such time that it appears before a hearing.

   Written notice shall include:

   • A statement of the time, place, and nature of the proceeding hearing.
   • A statement of the nature of the case and of the forum under which it is to be heard.
   • A brief statement of the behavior of the accused organization that serves as the basis for the violation(s) being charged.

     If the University is unable to state the behavior in detail at the time notice is served, the initial statement may be limited to an explanation of the general issues involved. Thereafter, upon request by the student organization, a more detailed and definitive statement will be furnished prior to the commencement of any formal hearing.

2. The student organization may have an advisor of the group's choice present at the hearing. The Director of OSRR shall maintain a list of impartial advisors and resources available to the student organization for preparing the defense. The advisor shall assist the organization in the disciplinary process but shall not speak for or present the case on behalf of the student.
3. All hearings shall be conducted on the basis that the charged student organization is not in violation until the preponderance of evidence proves otherwise.
4. The organization's member representative(s) may inspect any evidence presented in support of the charges. Evidence may be presented in defense of the group.
5. The organization's member representative(s) may hear and question witnesses upon request if that witness is available. The representative(s) may hear and question witnesses testifying at a hearing.
6. The organization shall not be forced to present self-incriminating evidence; however, the University is not required to postpone disciplinary proceedings pending the outcome of any civil or criminal prosecution.
7. The decision of "in violation" or "not in violation" on the charges shall be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing.
8. The results of any formal hearing shall be furnished in writing to the student organization within two (2) working days following the hearing.
9. The organization's registration status shall remain unchanged pending the University's final decision in the matter except in cases where the Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services or designee determines that the safety, health, or general welfare of any individual, or any part of the University may be involved.

L. Sanctions for Student Organizations

1. Recommendation for Charter Revocation: An official request to a national office that the local chapter's charter be revoked.
2. Revocation of UCF Registration: Permanent severance of the organization's relationship with UCF.
3. Suspension of UCF Registration: Temporary severance of the organization's relationship with UCF for a specific period of time. The period of time and any requirements that must be satisfied before re-registration must be specified in the recommendation of the hearing body.
4. Probation: Temporary restrictions of certain activities on the part of the organization as defined by the hearing body and/or an officially sanctioned status of the organization whereas further violations of UCF policy could result in suspension, revocation of registration, etc.
5. Warning: An official warning that the organization's behavior is in violation of UCF policies, and that if the organization is subsequently found in violation of this policy, subsequent action may be more severe.
6. Restitution: Reimbursement for a loss caused by the organization's actions.
7. Community Service: Assignment to work a specific number of hours at a community service agency or project.
8. Mediation: Official mediation between the organization and any offended parties.
9. Restrictions: Restriction of some or all of the organization's activities or privileges, including, but not limited to, social activities, intramural competition, organizational competition, Homecoming, etc.
10. Organizational Suspension: Suspension of all organization activities with the exception of regular business meetings.
11. Required Educational Programs: Alcohol awareness programs, risk management programs, etc. for a specified percentage of organizational membership.

M. Appeals within the Student Organization Conduct Review Process

1. Irregularities in fairness and stated procedures of the hearing that could have affected the outcome of the hearing.
2. Discovery of new and significant evidence that could have affected the outcome of the hearing and that was not known or could not reasonably been discovered and/or presented at the time of the initial hearing.
3. The sanctions are extraordinarily disproportionate to the violation(s).

   The appellate officer will review the written appeal, video recording (if applicable) and documentation from the original hearing, and determine if there is a basis for an appeal. On the appeal form, the student organization must state the reason(s) for appeal, the supporting facts, and the recommended solution. This is not a re-hearing of the conduct case. An appeal cannot be filed simply because a student organization is dissatisfied with the decision. Failure to describe the nature of the evidence in full detail in the appeal letter will result in the denial of an appeal. The student organization shall receive a written decision to the appeal. There is no definitive timeline for receiving an appeal response. It depends on the complexity of the case and the information mentioned in the appeal, as well as the appeal officer's appeal load at that particular time.

   At the first level of appeal, the appeal must be made in writing to the appellate officer (Associate Vice President for Campus Life) within seven (7) calendar days after the date of notification to the student organization of the disciplinary decision. The appellate officer (Associate Vice President of Campus Life or designee) shall first determine if sufficient grounds for appeal exist and then, if so, may either deny the appeal (thus sustaining the initial decision and sanction[s]) or remand the case to the original hearing forum for review of the specific information in question.

   At the second level of appeal, the appeal must be made in writing to the appellate officer (Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services) within seven (7) calendar days after the date the student was notified of the Associate Vice President’s decision. The appellate officer (Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Services or designee) shall once again first determine if sufficient grounds for appeal exist and then, if so, may either deny the appeal, thus sustaining the initial decision and sanction[s] or do one of the following:

   If the student organization alleges that the sanction was inappropriate and the Appellate Officer finds the sanction to be inappropriate, the Appellate Officer may reduce the sanction.

   If the student organization alleges that there was a defect in procedure or new evidence is presented and the Appellate Officer finds that there was a defect in the procedure or new evidence was presented which was sufficiently substantial to have affected the outcome, the Appellate Officer will order a new hearing.

   Decisions of the second level appellate officer (Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Services or designee) reflect final agency action.