Judicial Board

Composition Of The Student Judicial Board

The Student Judicial Board shall be composed as follows:

• The Board shall consist of five student members and two nonvoting faculty advisers. One faculty advisor will serve as chair of the Board at any hearing. Multiple Boards may be established in order to provide timely hearing dates.  
• A quorum shall consist of three student members and one faculty adviser who will act as chairperson. The Student Judicial Board can meet only when a faculty chairperson is present. During Maymester, summer sessions and interim periods between semesters, a quorum shall consist of two student members and the faculty chairperson. 
• The five student members shall be appointed by the president of the Student Government Association. Since the Student Judicial Board exists primarily to provide an educational peer review process, at least three of the student members must be undergraduate students. Student members become active members of the Student Judicial Board only after they have been appointed by the president of the Student Government Association and trained by a faculty adviser and/or the vice president and dean of students or designee. Faculty advisers are appointed by the Deans of the academic schools and colleges. The president of the student government association may appoint replacements for student members during Maymester, summer sessions, or at any time that the original appointees are unable to serve. 
• The Vice President and Dean of Students may designate a person (usually, the Student Government Attorney General) to present charges for all cases brought before the Student Judicial Board.

Scope Of The Student Judicial Board

The procedures outlined in this document do not prohibit the establishment of other student judicial bodies, which will serve as courts for original cases coming from the residence halls and for which the Student Judicial Board will be the first appellate court.

The Judicial Board shall interpret and enforce all policies of the Student Government Association and have original jurisdiction in any cases concerning Student Government Association policies, laws, and activities, including elections.

The Student Judicial Board shall have original jurisdiction to hear all disputes concerning approved non-Greek student organizations and/or approved residence hall organizations. The Greek Judicial Board shall have jurisdiction in cases involving Greek organizations. The Vice President and Dean of Students may take temporary action on a matter involving a student organization pending a hearing by the appropriate body.

Intermediate Disciplinary Review 

(ad hoc committee appointed by VPSA)

A Disciplinary Review Committee shall review appeals at the request of the vice president and dean of students on the record of decisions made at administrative or the Student Judicial Board Hearings.

A Disciplinary Review Committee shall consist of three faculty or staff members and two students, with the chair appointed by the vice president and dean of students of the university from among the faculty or staff members. A quorum shall consist of four members including the chair. 

The appeal from the accused to the Vice President and Dean of Students is forwarded to the Disciplinary Review Committee. The appeal must state the reason(s) for believing the decision of the original hearing body to be improper.

The parties shall have an opportunity to file briefs and present oral arguments to the Disciplinary Review Committee.

The vice president and dean of students shall have the right to accept, modify or reject any or all of the recommendations of the Disciplinary Review Committee.

Honor Code

All students are expected to abide by the requirements of the Georgia College Honor Code as it applies to all academic work at the university. Failure to abide by the Honor Code will result in serious penalties.

Matriculation Pledge 

In enrolling at Georgia College, I solemnly pledge that I will conduct myself in such a manner as to reflect credit on the Georgia College community and I will uphold the Honor Code of the university. If I violate this Honor Code, I will accept the imposed penalty, which may include expulsion from the university.

Preamble

Since 1942, Georgia College has upheld an Honor Code that defines its character as a liberal arts institution and fosters a culture of mutual respect and trust. Periodic examination and revisions, including a major review in 1998-99, have strengthened the Honor Code, reflecting the student body's commitment to an honorable community and enforcing firm consequences for dishonorable actions.

The Honor Code requires students to respect the ideas, values, and property of others, prioritize the well-being of the university community, and adhere to university rules. This commitment begins with personal integrity, extends to refusing to condone violations, and supports appropriate punishments for breaches. Dishonorable actions may result in suspension or permanent dismissal from the university.

Students who cannot embrace the principles of honor are encouraged to explore alternatives to Georgia College. However, those seeking renewal in the spirit of honor are welcomed to join the Georgia College community by formally embracing the Honor Code at the start of their academic journey.

The Honor Code 

It is presumed that any student who matriculates at Georgia College is willing to conform to a pattern of mutual trust and honor and shall deal honorably with all members of the university community. It must be understood that it is the responsibility of each student, faculty, and staff member to preserve, nurture and strengthen this spirit of honor.

Georgia College students shall at all times refrain from and discourage all attempts at lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and vandalism. When a violation of the Honor Code is detected, a student should take steps to bring the matter to the attention of the Student Judicial Board or the Office of Student Affairs.

Violations Defined

"Lying" is defined as any attempt to deceive, falsify, or misrepresent the truth in any matter involving university business. University business includes but is not limited to, financial aid information, excuses for absences, statements to professors in order to reschedule tests or assignments and responses to the queries of public safety officers.

"Cheating" is defined as the employment of or rendering of any illicit aid in any assigned work.

"Stealing" is defined as the appropriation of money or property belonging to another person, organization or the university or the borrowing of property without the knowledge of the owner.

"Plagiarism" is defined as presenting as one's own work, the words or ideas of an author or fellow student. Students should document quotes through quotation marks and footnotes or other accepted citation methods. Ignorance of these rules concerning plagiarism is not an excuse. When in doubt, students should seek clarification from the professor who made the assignment.

"Vandalism" is defined as intentional, malicious damage to university property or property belonging to others.

Code of Conduct 

Georgia College holds students accountable for their behavior both on and off campus. While disciplinary actions typically involve incidents on campus or at Georgia College-sponsored events, they may extend to off-campus matters that impact the university community, including repeated arrests.

All students are expected to uphold the Georgia College Honor Code, which prohibits lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and vandalism. Additionally, residence hall students must adhere to the University Housing Handbook.

Students may face disciplinary action for violations of the Code of Conduct, including but not limited to:

• Violating laws or university regulations related to alcohol, drugs, and other substances.
• Engaging in conduct that endangers the safety of others, including assault, threats, or attempts.
• Obstructing or impairing university activities on campus property.
• Violating policies concerning parking, traffic, ID cards, firearms, smoking, unauthorized activities, or other unlawful actions.
• Harassing others through actions such as intimidation, verbal abuse, stalking, or electronic communication, including harassment based on protected characteristics.
• Failing to comply with disciplinary sanctions imposed by the university judicial body.

Georgia College is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all members of its community.

Introduction

The purpose of the Georgia College Alcohol and Other Drugs Amnesty Policy is to prevent students from being reluctant to seek assistance for themselves or someone else for fear of facing campus judicial action. It is an attempt to remove barriers that prevent students from seeking the medical attention that they need.

The policy does not necessarily grant amnesty for criminal, civil or legal consequences for violations of Federal, State or Local laws. Georgia College Public Safety Officers are sworn police officers with full arrest authority and they have the autonomy to use that authority as circumstances dictate according to their professional experience. In general, unlike police from many other settings, Georgia College Public Safety officers attempt to balance a concern for student educational outcomes with their powers of arrest. In circumstances in which they choose to arrest students rather than refer them to the Student Judicial Board on campus, their decision is typically a result of evidence of gross irresponsibility on the part of the student, the presence of an apparent safety risk or complications due to the student's non-compliance or belligerence. 

Philosophy

The health and safety of members of the Georgia College community is a primary concern. Students need to seek immediate medical attention for themselves or others when someone's health and/or safety is at risk (examples include: alcohol poisoning, unconsciousness, sexual assault or physical assault). Students may be reluctant to seek assistance for themselves or someone else for fear of facing action from the Office of Student Affairs. Georgia College seeks to remove barriers that prevent students from seeking the medical attention they need.

Policy

Note: This Policy only provides amnesty from violations of the Georgia College Code of Conduct. It does not necessarily grant amnesty for criminal, civil or legal consequences for violations of Federal, State or Local law.

Students who seek emergency medical attention for themselves related to consumption of drugs or alcohol will not be charged with violations of the Georgia College Code of Conduct related to that consumption, provided that the student subsequently completes a screening from University Counseling Services and any recommended treatment within a reasonable time frame to be determined by the Office of Student Affairs. Failure to complete this screening/treatment may result in charges being filed with the Office of Student Affairs.

Students who seek emergency medical attention for someone else will not be charged with violations of the Georgia College Code of Conduct related to consumption of alcohol or drugs or intoxication, provided that the student subsequently completes a screening from University Counseling Services and any recommended treatment within a reasonable time frame to be determined by the Office of Student Affairs. "Georgia College Public Safety officers will weigh heavily a student's cooperation and genuinely positive intent in determining whether a substance abuse situation allows them to provide the student amnesty from arrest."

Student Organizations are required to seek immediate medical assistance for their members or guests when any potential health risk is observed, including medical emergencies related to the use of alcohol and/or drugs. A Student Organization that seeks immediate assistance from appropriate sources will not be charged with violations of the Georgia College Code of Conduct related to providing alcohol, providing that the organization completes any educational programming required by the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Campus Life. However, the organization can and will be held accountable for any other violations of the Code of Conduct related to the incident (e.g. endangering the health or safety of others, covered smoke detectors, etc.). Student Organizations that fail to seek immediate medical assistance for members or guests in need of attention will likely be charged with violations of the Code of Conduct and face dissolution or termination as the outcome of such charges. It is imperative that student organizations seek medical assistance for their members or guests in an emergency situation.

This Policy applies only to those students or organizations who seek emergency medical assistance in connection with an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency and does not apply to individuals experiencing an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency who are found by University employees (i.e. University Police, Faculty, administrative staff, residence hall staff).

The Georgia College Amnesty Policy is not intended to shield or protect those students or organizations that repeatedly violate the Code of Conduct. In cases where repeated violations of the Georgia College Code of Conduct occur, the University reserves the right to take judicial action on a case by case basis regardless of the manner in which the incident was reported. Additionally, the University reserves the right to adjudicate any case in which the violations are egregious.

Additionally, the Georgia College Amnesty Policy allows for assistance in cases of sexual misconduct. If you believe you have been involved in an incident of sexual misconduct, you have the right to pursue action through the University judicial system and/or the appropriate law enforcement authorities and/or the courts. Georgia College further encourages anyone who has been involved in such an incident to pursue action through appropriate law enforcement authorities and/or the courts. The University wishes to encourage victims to report incidents of sexual misconduct and therefore reserves the right to waive disciplinary charges against victims for circumstances surrounding the incident. For example, a victim who had been an underage drinker would not typically face charges of violating alcohol policies.

Sexual Misconduct is any sexual act which violates the laws of the State of Georgia; and/or includes, but is not limited to: acts of rape (stranger and acquaintance or date rape) and other forms of coerced sexual activity, including unwanted touching, fondling or other forms of sexual conduct. Any sexual activity which is entered into without the consent of both or all persons involved is a violation of this policy. A person may not avoid responsibility for sexual activity because of impairment due to the influence of alcohol or other drugs. A person is deemed incapable of giving consent when that person is a minor under the age of 18 years, is mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated, physically helpless, under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the point of being unable to make a rational decision, unconscious or asleep. A person always retains the right to revoke consent at any time during a sexual act.

The Office of Student Affairs reserves the right to contact any student to discuss an incident whether or not the Georgia College Amnesty Policy is in effect.