Student FAQs

How do I file a report of an alleged Code of Conduct violation?
Incidents of alleged violations of the Code of Conduct are reported in writing to the Director of Student Conduct or designee.  In your report, there is no need to include the regulation you think a student or student organization has violated.  The appropriate Code of Conduct regulation will be assigned by the conduct officer.  For individuals filing a report, a meeting can be arranged with an Office of Student Conduct staff member to discuss the conduct process.

How might a student violate the Code of Conduct?
All conduct regulations are provided in the Code of Conduct. Examples of behaviors that could violate the Code of Conduct include underage possession of alcohol, driving under the influence, disruptive conduct, distribution of copyrighted material, assault, theft, gambling, interfering with the conduct process, and possession of weapons.

What are the most common Code of Conduct violations?
In 2010, the most common Code of Conduct violations included alcohol related misconduct, failure to comply with residence hall policies, and failure to comply with computer use policies.

Where is the Office of Student Conduct located?
The Office of Student Conduct is located on the 5th floor of Memorial Hall.  Enter from the Hooper Street entrance and take the elevator to the 5th floor.

How are incidents reported to the Office of Student Conduct?
The Office of Student Conduct receives complaints, copies of UGA and ACC police reports, and referrals from individuals and University departments.

I received a letter from the Office of Student Conduct.  What do I do now?
If you receive a letter from the Office of Student Conduct, call (706) 542-1131 to schedule an appointment with the conduct officer that sent you the letter.  Call by the stated deadline to avoid your records being flagged.  

What do I need to do to prepare for my meeting?
Before your meeting, you should review the Code of Conduct and the conduct process.

What will happen during the meeting with my judicial officer?
During the meeting, the conduct officer will review the Code of Conduct, discuss the conduct process including how we receive reports and resolution options, and provide an pportunity to share additional information regarding the incident.  If the conduct officer has enough information to move forward with the case, the student has the option of resolving through the informal or formal resolution process.

What is the difference between an informal resolution and a formal hearing resolution? 
An informal resolution occurs when the student or student organization takes responsibility for the alleged violations and agrees to the sanctions proposed by the condcut officer.  A formal hearing resolution occurs when the student or student organization disputes the alleged charges and/or proposed sanctions and wants to have the alleged violations decided by three panel members consisting of two students and one faculty/staff member. 

Do I need to have an attorney?
The Office of Student Conduct conducts an educational process that is separate from a legal process. It is not necessary for a student to have an attorney present during meetings with a conduct officer, but an attorney may attend conduct meetings with the expressed permission of the student.

What are minimum sanctions?
Minimum sanctions are the least that can be given to alcohol and drug related misconduct.  Additional sanctions can be assigned and are at the discretion of the hearing panel or conduct officer based on circumstances regarding the incident and prior record.  Minimum sanctions apply to all alcohol and drug violations, not just underage drinking.

What types of sanctions are there?
Examples of sanctions outlined in the Code of Conduct include probation, reprimand, restitution, community service, housing restrictions, educational sanctions (papers, letters of apology, and/or alcohol education), suspension and expulsion. This list is not exhaustive, and sanctions are assigned to meet the specific circumstances of a given situation.

I can’t register for classes because my records are flagged.  What does that mean?
If your records are flagged by the Office of Student Conduct, it typically means that you have not scheduled your meeting with your conduct officer or completed your sanctions by the stated deadline.  Call your conduct officer at (706)542-1131 for further clarification.

How can I appeal?
Once signed, an informal hearing resolution cannot be appealed.  To appeal a formal hearing decision, submit a written appeal to the Office of Student Conduct within five (5) business days of receipt of the formal hearing decision.  Information detailing the submission of an appeal for a formal hearing is provided on the Formal Hearing Appeal Procedures and Submission Form.

Will anything be noted on my record?
Any violation of the Code of Conduct is noted on the student’s conduct record. The conduct record is a separate record from the academic record, but it is considered an open record in the state of Georgia and can be requested through an open records request. Violations are not noted on a student’s transcript or diploma. In the case of expulsion, a notation may be made on the student’s transcript at the request of the Office of Student Conduct.

Will anyone ever request to see my conduct record?
The Office of Student Conduct processes Dean’s Certification requests which are required of some professional schools (law, medicine, pharmacy, etc), graduate schools, undergraduate schools for transferring students, and/or other academic programs such as study abroad. Dean's Certification provides information that verifies a student’s conduct record (or lack thereof) and/or academic record at the University of Georgia.  The Office of Student Conduct also received open records requests related to conduct records.

What is the Georgia Open Records Act?
State law requires that public records be open and available for inspection by any member of the public.  Conduct records are considered open records and if requested through the proper process, we must make them available.  Requests for open records are made with the Office of Public Affairs.

Will you notify my parents if I am found in violation of regulations of the Code of Conduct?
As outlined in the Code of Conduct, the Office of Student Conduct will notify your guardians every time you are found to have violated the Code of Conduct policies on the use or possession of alcohol or other drugs while under the age of 21.  We do not notify guardians of any other violations nor do we send out police reports. The Dawg Catcher is not affiliated with the Office of Student Conduct.

What are the requirements for community service? 
The requirements for community service include completing the required numbers of hours and submitting the appropriate paperwork (i.e. timesheet and thank you reflection letter). 

What is the computer use policy? 
The computer use policy outlines acceptable use of The University of Georgia’s computers and networks including but not limited to sharing copyrighted material, securing your MYID/passwords, spamming, etc.  For more information on the computer use policy, visit https://infosec.uga.edu/policies/aup.php.

How does computer usage violate the Code of Conduct?
Regulation 10.1 in the Code of Conduct states the following:
Failure to comply with University computer use policies.  Computer use policies can be found online at www.uga.edu/compsec/use.html.

Where can I receive help to delete media and share folders off my computer?
Steps for deleting media and removing shared folders from your computer are available on the Office of Student Conduct's Policies webpage.
 
If I'm off probation, but receivde another alcohol or other drug violation, am I automatically suspended?
If we receive a report and your conduct officer feels that there is enough information to move forward, suspension is dependent on the discretion of the conduct officer or hearing panel based on the incident and on any applicable probationary terms.

I'm suspended from UGA for Code of Conduct violations. What do I need to do prior to returning? 
You will need to contact the Office of Student Conduct at (706)542-1131 to schedule a meeting with your conduct officer to discuss your return as well as completion of your sanctions.
 
How can I get involved in strengthening the University community?
Join University Judiciary, a student organization responsible for aiding the Office of Student Conduct in adjudicating conduct cases and educating the campus community about the Code of Conduct.  The University Judiciary is open to undergraduate, graduate and professional students with at least a 3.0 who have not violated the Code of Conduct.  Applications are available each fall semester and can be found on the University Judiciary website – www.uga.edu/judiciary.  

What happens after I submit my University Judiciary application?   
Applications will be reviewed by the Directors of Recruitment and Development and the general body of University Judiciary.  Approximately half of those that apply will be asked to participate in an individual and group interview of which half will be asked to join the organization. 

What are the requirements of University Judiciary?
Once the applicant officially accepts the invitation to join, they will be required to complete 50 hours of educational training, participate in mock formal hearings, pass the written exam with a grade of 90% or better, maintain a 3.0 GPA, attend a retreat and not violate the Code of Conduct they are expected to uphold.  Upon induction into the organization, members are required to attend meetings twice a month, participate in 5-7 formal hearings, participate in educational outreach, review student parking appeals, maintain a 3.0 GPA, attend an organizational retreat and not violate the Code of Conduct.

Are student organizations expected to comply with the Code of Conduct?
Yes, student organizations are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct.