APPEALS PROCESS
Student-athletes who test positive for a banned substance by the laboratory retained by Ottawa University and the National Center for Drug Free Sport may, within 48 hours following receipt of notice of the laboratory finding, contest the finding. Such an appeal shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Director of Athletics. Once an appeal is received, the Director of Athletics or his/her designee will formally request the laboratory perform additional testing on specimen B. Specimen B findings will be final, subject to the results of any appeal. If specimen B results are negative, the drug test will be considered negative and the student-athlete will be notified and may immediately resume competing. The student-athlete will not be allowed to practice or compete in games/contests pending the outcome of the appeal. Should the appeal be denied, the sanctions imposed will be effective immediately.
The student athlete may within 48 hours of notification of the second test result file an appeal. This will stay the imposition of the official warning. Any student-athlete requesting an appeal of the second positive test is entitled to a hearing by the Appeals Committee which shall consist of the two head coaches (not directly connected to the sport involved in the appeal), Faculty Athletic Represenative, an Associate or Assistant Athletic Director (not connected to the sport involved with the appeal), and a full-time athletic trainer. Request for such a hearing must be made within 48 hours of notification of the positive B sample test. If 48 hours would end on a weekend, the request must be made by noon on the next business day. Requests must be in writing and received by the Director of Athletics.
The student-athlete may have an advocate or other representative present; however, the student-athlete must present his or her own case. The hearing should take place no more than 48 hours after the written request is received. Either the student-athlete or the other parties involved may request an extension of time to the Director of Athletics, who will consider whether to grant the extension upon a showing of good cause. These proceedings shall include an opportunity for the student-athlete to present evidence, as well as to review the results of the drug test. The proceedings shall be confidential. The decision by the Appeals Committee regarding the sanction to be imposed shall be final. The student-athlete shall be allowed to participate in practice, but will not be allowed to compete in games/contests pending the outcome of the appeal and any sanction imposed as a result of the appeal shall be effective immediately.
