Code of Conduct
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Code of Conduct has been developed by Student Conduct to provide students with expectations for behavior that upholds the principles outlined in the Pillars of the Arch. In addition to describing regulations for behavior, the Code of Conduct provides useful information to students and student organizations regarding alleged violations of conduct regulations. All procedures for responding to possible violations of conduct regulations, including specifics of the conduct process, a listing of possible sanctions, the interim suspension policy, and the appeals procedures are included in the Code of Conduct. These procedures have been established to ensure due process and fundamental fairness to all involved in the University’s judicial processes.
CONDUCT PROCESS
Through the student conduct process, it is our aim to help students understand the impact of their behavior on the global community and to assist them with making future decisions that lead to personal and professional success.
Our process begins when we receive a complaint. An administrative officer will review a complaint, and if they determine there is enough information to allege that a violation of the Code of Conduct may have occurred, then they will send a student a Notice of Allegation. The Notice of Allegation will list out any conduct regulations that a student is alleged to have violated and will explain to the student how to schedule a meeting with their administrative officer. Students have five (5) business days to schedule an appointment; if they fail to schedule an appointment, a hold will be placed on their account.
Initial Meeting
During the meeting, the administrative officer will review the alleged violations with the student or organization and ensure that the student or organization has been advised as outlined in the section above. Resolutions of the University’s conduct process neither establish nor are based upon precedent. Further, matters of local, state or federal law are independent of the conduct process. The administrative officer has discretion to dismiss any alleged violation following the meeting with the student or organization if the conduct officer determines that the reported conduct would not be a violation of the University’s conduct regulations. Once the administrative officer has determined the alleged violations to be resolved through the conduct process, there are two available options from which the student or organization can choose: (1) informal resolution, or (2) formal resolution (investigation and hearing).
Informal Resolution
If the student or organization agrees that the violation(s) of the conduct regulations cited occurred, they may decide to have the case resolved through the informal process. A student or organization always has the right to refuse the informal process and proceed with a formal hearing. Final resolution of the informal process must meet the following criteria: (1) the administrative officer handling the case and the student or organization agree that informal resolution is a reasonable option given the circumstances; (2) the student or organization must accept responsibility for the violation(s) of the specified conduct regulation(s); (3) the student or organization must agree with the sanctions resulting from the violation(s); (4) if applicable, the victim should agree with the sanctions issued for the violation(s) and may propose sanctions that are reasonable and in accordance with the Code of Conduct. Cases that do not meet all four criteria for the informal resolution will be referred to formal resolution (investigation and hearing).
Formal Resolution
If the student or organization disputes that a violation of conduct regulations has taken place, rejects the informal resolution, or does not agree with the sanctions resulting from the informal resolution, the case shall be resolved through the formal resolution procedure, which includes an investigation and a hearing. University Judiciary, a registered student organization, facilitates the formal hearing process. For more detailed information about the formal resolution process, including information about investigations and hearings, please refer to the Code of Conduct.
CONDUCT VIOLATION
Individuals interested in submitting a report of potential Code of Conduct regulation violations should do so in writing. Reports not submitted in writing will be independently verified prior to beginning a conduct investigation. Reports should be submitted as soon as possible after the alleged violation. For individuals filing a report, a meeting can be arranged with a staff member in the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the conduct process. Reports should be submitted to Rebecca Scarbro, Director for Student Conduct, by calling 706-542-1131 or emailing rcw34@uga.edu.
PARENTAL NOTIFICATION
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) has given colleges/universities the option to notify parents or guardians about specific types of information from a student’s judicial record.
Student Conduct will notify parents or guardians the first time and every subsequent time a student is found to have violated Code of Conduct regulations on the use or possession of alcohol or other drugs when he/she is under the age of 21. Students found to have violated alcohol or other drug regulations are subject to the minimum sanctions policy as outlined in the Code of Conduct. Information regarding minimum sanctions for alcohol or other drug violations can be found in the Code of Conduct, as well as in the AOD Sanctioning Chart.