South Georgia College Student Handbook

College Disciplinary Actions

The Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) is the administrative officer responsible for student discipline. Student disciplinary matters are evaluated within the framework of the Students' Rights and Responsibilities described above. Allegations of misconduct that are not resolved at the point of origin are reported to the VPSA, who then initiates a review. This review is designed to offer affected parties opportunities to thoroughly respond to charges. Based on the findings, the VPSA determines the resolution of the case, and if appropriate, imposes disciplinary consequences. Any appeal of this decision must be submitted in writing to the VPSA within 24 hours of this ruling. Appeals are referred to the Discipline Committee, the designated agency to conduct hearings of student disciplinary cases. Further appeals must be submitted to the President of the College within 24 hours of ruling. Appeals beyond the institutional level are directed to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia pursuant to the By-laws of the Board of Regents.

The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for implementing College Disciplinary Policies. Action taken by the VPSA or other appropriate College officials or committees may include any of the actions or penalties listed below. For further information, the student may contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

1. Reprimand: A student may be given a verbal or written reprimand when a violation occurs that is the student's first offense and the student is deemed to be honest and cooperative during the disposition of the case. The reprimand is in effect for a set period of timeCat least the remainder of the semester in progress. Further violations result in a penalty, conduct probation, or suspension.
2. Conduct Probation: A student may be placed on conduct probation when a major violation occurs involving a violation of law, the Code of Conduct, or the Residence Hall Regulations. This probation will be in effect for not less than the remainder of the semester in progress and the two following semesters. Any violation of conduct probation may result in immediate suspension.
3. Conduct Suspension: A student may be dismissed from the College because of a major violation or repeated violation of the Code of Conduct. Suspension may be for a specified or indefinite length of time but may not be for less than one semester. Barring mitigating circumstances, a student found violating the Code of Conduct three times within a semester or five times within an academic year will be suspended from the College. A penalty of conduct suspension automatically results in exclusion from the campus during the period of suspension. During this time, the suspended student may visit the campus only with the written permission of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Following official notification of suspension, students must vacate the campus. Students suspended for disciplinary reasons prior to mid-term will receive "W's" in their course work. If the suspension occurs after mid-term, students will receive a AWF@ in each course taken that semester, unless they have completed all requirements for a given course prior to the act of suspension. In that case the grade assigned by the instructor will be assigned. Any violation of the stipulations of suspension will result in an automatic one-semester extension of the suspension period. The Vice President for Student Affairs will so notify the suspended student following a review of the evidence of violation of suspension.
4. Expulsion: A student may receive a permanent suspension from the College because of major or repeated violations of the Code of Conduct. Suspensions or expulsions are normally shown on a student's permanent record.
5. Special Action: Special action applies to any action taken as the result of the discipline process. The action and agreement are in writing and may be for a specified period of time.
6. Residential Restriction or Removal: A student in violation of this Code may be removed from the residence hall or reassigned to a different location.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE
Consistent with the Rights and Responsibilities described above, a student may agree to accept discipline administered by the Vice President for Student Affairs in keeping with the standards set forth by the South Georgia College Code of Conduct, or appeal to the Discipline Committee. The Discipline Committee will consist of up to 4 faculty and 3 students. A majority of these members must be present to hold a hearing. The Vice President for Student Affairs will administer the penalties determined by the Committee.

Any appeal of Discipline Committee action must be in writing and presented to the Vice President for Student Affairs within 24 hours of Committee action.

The student may be withheld from class, residence hall or participation in activities during the appeal process at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Any questions concerning the appeal process should be directed to Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The procedure used in appeals to the College Discipline Committee is informal, and the burden of proof is on the student making the appeal. The student may present evidence and witnesses to support the case. The student may bring a non-participating advisor to the hearing. Attorneys will not be permitted to attend meetings of the Discipline Committee.

The Discipline Committee will not be bound by formal rules of legal evidence and will admit any relevant evidence that is deemed by the Chairman and the Committee to be of value in determining the issues involved. The findings of the facts and the decision of the Discipline Committee will be based solely on the hearing record.

Decisions of the College Discipline Committee may be appealed to the President of the College. Such appeals must be initiated in writing within 3 days of the Discipline Committee's decision. The President's decision shall be final at the institutional level. Appeals beyond the institution must follow the procedure outlined in the Board of Regents' Policy Manual.