South Georgia College Student Handbook

Code of Conduct

The following is a statement of the regulations and responsibilities of students both as individuals and as groups at South Georgia College. The following Code of Conduct (Code) reflects the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The filing of an application for admission shall be regarded as evidence of the applicant's intention to abide by the standards and regulations of South Georgia College. Students forfeit their right to remain enrolled if they fail to comply with such standards and regulations. The South Georgia College Code of Conduct is designed to achieve the goals outlined in the Statement of Students�� Rights and Responsibilities and the Mission of the College. The code is intended to be a framework for student behavior. Central to the Code of Conduct is the expectation that members of the college community will strive to respect the individuality and dignity of others.

The Code of Conduct applies to all students, and it is each student's responsibility to become familiar with it. Penalties vary depending on the circumstances of each offense.

1. Violations of Law: Students found in violation of the South Georgia College Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action by the College without regard to whether the offense is in violation of local, state, and federal law. Any student convicted of a felony charge in the court will normally be suspended from the College unless extenuating circumstances are involved as verified by recommendations from the judge, a probation officer, or other persons whom the College chooses to consult. The College does not assume any responsibility for students arrested by local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. The Vice President for Student Affairs will notify the student��s parents if requested by students or law enforcement officers or if he determines that this is in the best interest of the College and/or the students.
2. Littering: Any student who disposes of bottles, cans, cigarette butts, or any other form of litter on the campus or in any area of the buildings other than waste baskets, garbage cans, or other designated receptacles is in violation of this Code. Students in violation are subject to fines and other disciplinary action.
3. Alcoholic Beverages: No student may possess, manufacture, distribute, sell, or consume any alcoholic beverage on the College campus, or while participating in a College sponsored trip or activity. Being under the influence of alcohol while on campus or on a College sponsored trip is a violation of this code. Information regarding local, state, or federal laws related to alcohol and drug violations and penalties is published in the South Georgia College Public Safety Information booklet.
4. Drugs: The College prohibits the use or distribution, possession, manufacture, sale, without authorized medical supervision or prescription, of narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, LSD, or other hallucinogens, or any other controlled substances classified as illegal or dangerous by Federal and/or State statutes and regulations. Any student found guilty of the violation of this section of the Code of Conduct on or off campus is subject to expulsion from South Georgia College and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Consistent with Section 406.03 of the Board of Regents�� Policy Manual, A disciplinary sanctions for students convicted of a felony offense involving illegal drugs shall include the forfeiture of academic credit and the temporary or permanent suspension or expulsion from the institution. Information regarding local, state, or federal laws related to alcohol and drug violations and penalties is available in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs or the Public Safety Department.
5. Tobacco Usage: Tobacco usage is not allowed in classroom buildings, the library, the auditorium, the gym, the residence halls, the College Union or in other areas where prohibiting signs are displayed.
6. Excessive Noise: Any student who is excessively loud and noisy violates the right of others to live and study in an atmosphere conducive to learning. Such behavior is a violation of this Code. Wind instruments, drums, electric guitars, and other noise producing devices may not be played in the residence halls or elsewhere on the campus where students will be disturbed. Vehicles, amplifiers, radios, electronic games, televisions, compact discs, tape players, etc., must not be operated at noise levels that will disturb others.
7. Dishonesty: A. Lying, cheating, plagiarism, fraud, deliberate deception, falsifying a document, and other forms of dishonesty are violations of the South Georgia College Code of Conduct. Some violations may be so severe that they result in expulsion from college and/or legal action. B. When cheating, plagiarism, or any form of academic dishonesty occurs in the classroom or some other instructional setting, the penalty shall be imposed by the instructor. The student's course of appeal is to the Division Chair, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and President, respectively. In lieu of personal/divisional action, or in addition to such action, the instructor may prefer charges with the Discipline Committee. Referral to the Discipline Committee is at the discretion of the faculty member but is not the preferred course of action unless other students or the institution would be adversely affected otherwise.
8. Financial Responsibility: The College will not act as a collection agency for non-College interests. The College will notify the student of the civil action that may be taken. A student who has a delinquent fees balance at the College may not register, graduate, or receive a transcript until the account has been cleared. Students shall not obligate the College for unauthorized purchases or services. The student may be held personally responsible for such financial obligations. Students shall also be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
9. Theft: The taking or improper finding and keeping of any articles which are another's property and are kept without permission of the owner, subjects the student to a charge of theft under the Code. This includes, but is not limited to, college property and private property. In addition to other penalties assessed, any student found guilty of theft will pay for the restoration or replacement of the property, whichever the College determines.
10. Property Damage: Any student who destroys College property shall be held responsible for payment of damages and will be subject to other consequences. College staff shall assess the amount of damage. When individual responsibility of damages cannot be ascertained, groups of individuals may be jointly assessed.
11. Unauthorized Presence in any College Building or Campus Area: Any student entering a building on the College campus that is locked or otherwise designated as being closed, or remaining in a building or area of the campus after closing time, or after being asked to leave by a member of the college faculty or staff is in violation of this Code, and will be subject to prosecution for trespassing and other consequences. Any student found in a residence hall room other than one��s own during the absence of the student assigned to the room shall be in violation of this Code and subject to a disciplinary action. The unauthorized presence of a male in the women's residence area or a female in the men's residence area is grounds for suspension from the College. This applies to all those involved. Violations may result in denying access to residence halls for at least one semester.
12. Contempt of the Judicial Process: (a) Any student who fails to appear at a disciplinary meeting or hearing after having been properly notified to do so is in violation of the Code of Conduct. The college official or committee before whom the student failed to appear shall assign a penalty, and shall have the option of re-scheduling the hearing or meeting. (b) Any student who disrupts, attempts to disrupt, or in any way prevents the orderly function of any disciplinary hearing or meeting is in contempt of the Code of Conduct and will be assigned a penalty by official involved. The student shall be afforded a hearing to justify the actions before the official or committee. At this time the official or committee may or may not remove, reduce, or increase the penalty.
13. Withholding Proper Identification: Any student who refuses to offer requested identification, or refuses to yield the ID card, or who offers false identification to a College Public Safety Officer or other staff member is in violation of this Code. The student is subject to arrest by Public Safety Officers, and other consequences.
14. Gambling: No form of gambling is permitted in College housing, on the College campus, or while a student is participating in a College sponsored trip or activity.
15. Hazing: No hazing is permitted which tends to cause physical or mental suffering and which tends to subject a student to indignities of any sort.
16. Disruptive Behavior: Individual or group conduct of a nature that interrupts or interferes with educational activities, infringes upon the rights and privileges of others, results in the destruction of property, is flagrantly disrespectful of College administrators, faculty, or staff, exhibits inappropriate public displays of affection, or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of order, is considered a violation of this Code. Fighting or other hostile actions are violations of this Code, and may result in immediate suspension. University System policy stipulates that any student, faculty member, administrator, or employer, acting individually or in concert with others, who clearly obstruct or disrupts, or attempts to obstruct or disrupt any teaching, research, administration, disciplinary or public service activity, or any other authorized activity held on the South Georgia College campus, is considered to have committed an act of gross irresponsibility, and shall be subject to disciplinary procedures including dismissal and/or termination of employment. The Vice President for Student Affairs and the President reserve the right, when action on the part of a student is of such extreme nature as to endanger the welfare or safety of the student or any other member of the College community or is of an extremely hostile nature, to suspend the student immediately, and to require the student to leave the campus. Any student who strikes a member of the faculty, staff, or administration shall be immediately suspended.
17. Residence Hall Violations: Enforcement of residence hall regulation rests with the residence hall staff and then the Vice President for Student Affairs. Rules for on-campus residents and guests are published in the Residence Hall Handbook and posted in the housing facilities.
18. Indecent/Offensive Behavior: Any student who behaves in a lewd, indecent, or offensive manner, including the use of profanity or inappropriate public displays of affection, is subject to dismissal, removal from the campus, and/or fines and other consequences.
19. Firearms and Missile Projecting Devices: In accordance with state law, the possession or use of pyrotechnical materials, such as firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals, fire crackers, etc., is prohibited on the campus. Missile projecting devices such as BB guns, pellet guns, slingshots, bows and arrows, knives, etc., are not allowed on campus. Exceptions must be approved by the Office of Public Safety for approved instructional activities. Guns and other weapons are prohibited on campus.
20. Animals: Students shall not bring any animals into College buildings except those needed to help handicapped persons or those required for research or class demonstrations. Exceptions to this policy must be authorized in writing.
21. Misuse of the College Name: Students are prohibited from unauthorized use of the College's name, seal, logo, mascot or any other words or symbols that inappropriately imply affiliation with the College.
22. Computer Usage: Students violating SGC��s Computer and Network Usage Policy are subject to loss of computer and network access privileges, disciplinary action, dismissal from the College, and legal action. The policy can be accessed via the SGC Homepage.
23. Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with one or more provisions of college disciplinary action is a violation of this Code.
24. Inciting Violations by others: It is a violation of the Code of Conduct to behave in ways that encourage or incite others to violate provisions of the Code. For example, encouraging others to fight or display disruptive or illegal behavior is a violation of the Code. Any student who violates more than one of these Conduct provisions may be subjected to more severe penalties.