Students are not only members of the academic community, but are also members of the larger society.  Students, therefore, retain the rights, guarantees, and protections afforded to and the responsibilities held by all citizens. As members of the University community, students have a responsibility to know and follow the Student Code of Conduct.  Violations of these regulations will result in action by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Students’ Rights – As a member of the GSW community, students have the right to:

General

• Freely exchange ideas, freedom of speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
• Participate in all areas and activities of the University, free from any form of discrimination, including harassment, race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or Veterans status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
• Personal privacy except as otherwise provided by law, and this will be observed by students and University authorities alike.
• Fundamental due process when reviewing disciplinary concerns guided by the Student Conduct Code.
• Be treated with dignity, courtesy, and fairness.
• Receive access to their own personal records.

Academic

• Miss, without penalty, class meetings held at hours other than their regularly scheduled times.
• Consult with an assigned academic advisor for semester support and future academic planning.
• Transfer core curriculum courses within the University System of Georgia.
• Consult with faculty outside of classroom time during regularly scheduled office hours or by appointment.
• Access campus facilities of which use is required to complete course assignments and objectives, i.e., computer lab, any academic building.
• Receive at the beginning of each semester, for each course, a syllabus which outlines course objectives and requirements. If changes to the syllabi are made during the semester, students should be informed of these changes in writing.
• Access standards of grading and evaluation.
• Be informed of the grade appeals process.

Students’ Responsibilities – As a member of the GSW community, students have the responsibility to:

• Respect the rights and property of others, including other students, the faculty, staff and University officials.
• Be fully acquainted with the published University Student Rules and to comply with them, as well as federal, state and local laws.
• Recognize that student actions reflect upon the individuals involved and upon the entire University community.
• Maintain a level of behavior that is consistent in supporting the learning environment of the institution and to recognize the University’s obligation to provide an environment for learning.

As would be expected, standards for Georgia Southwestern State University students are higher than those of communities not engaged in scholarly pursuits.  Not every situation a student may encounter can be anticipated in a written document.  Therefore, students are expected to act in a manner that demonstrates integrity and respect for others and the campus environment.

Student Engagement Good Standing

GSW students enrolled in 1 or more credit hours are eligible to participate in university sponsored programs, co-curricular activities, NCAA athletic programs, and other related university affiliated activities. A student may become ineligible to participate in specific university sponsored programs due to university conduct sanctions or eligibility requirements associated with regulated programs such as NCAA athletics, national associations, or other related governing organizations.   

Inquiries about the Student Handbook, Student Rights and Responsibilities and student policies should be directed to the Executive Vice President for Student Engagement and Success.

Handbook Updated 8/17/2023