It is solely the authority of the Commissioners and Executive Director to determine whether or not matters being appealed are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. No request for appeal shall be accepted more than 12 months after the event causing the appeal, unless otherwise provided for by any statute. If any of the jurisdictional requirements are not met, the appellant and the appointing authority shall be notified. Unless otherwise defined in the rules in this chapter, "file" means receipt by the Commission.