1. Policy Statement

Rockview Business School is committed to integrity, fairness, and transparency. All staff, faculty, students, and governing members must avoid situations where personal interests conflict with institutional responsibilities. The Appeals Procedure ensures that disputes are resolved fairly, impartially, and in line with global standards.

2. Objectives

• Safeguard institutional integrity and trust.
• Prevent bias in academic, financial, and operational decisions.
• Provide a clear mechanism for appeals and dispute resolution.
• Align with international compliance and governance standards.

3. Scope

Applies to:

• Faculty and staff in teaching, research, and administration.
• Students in academic and extracurricular activities.
• Governing board members and external partners.

4. Conflict of Interest Procedures

• Disclosure: All members must declare potential conflicts annually and when they arise.
• Review: The Ethics & Compliance Committee reviews disclosures.
• Management: Conflicts are mitigated by recusal, reassignment, or transparency measures.
• Sanctions: Failure to disclose may result in disciplinary action.

5. Appeals Procedure

Grounds for Appeal:

• Academic decisions (grades, progression, disciplinary actions).
• Administrative decisions (admissions, financial aid, misconduct rulings).
• Conflict of interest disputes.

Process:

1. Submission: Appeal filed in writing within 10 business days of the decision.
2. Acknowledgement: School acknowledges receipt within 48 hours.
3. Review Panel: Independent Appeals Committee (including student representation) reviews the case.
4. Hearing: Both parties present evidence; impartiality guaranteed.
5. Decision: Final ruling issued within 15 business days.
6. Documentation: All appeals recorded for transparency and audit.

Finality:

• Decisions of the Appeals Committee are binding.
• External arbitration may be sought only in exceptional cases.

6. Risk & Compliance

• Annual audits of conflict disclosures and appeals records.
• Alignment with ISO 9001, OECD integrity guidelines, and national accreditation standards.
• Continuous monitoring to prevent fraud, bias, and abuse.

7. Continuous Improvement

• Annual review of policy effectiveness.
• Training for staff and students on ethics and appeals.
• Benchmarking against global higher education institutions.