Actions considered unacceptable to the institution and subject to discipline fall into the categories of academic dishonesty and non-academic misconduct.
2. No student shall knowingly give, or attempt to give, unauthorized assistance to another in such preparation.
3. No student shall sell, give, lend, or otherwise furnish to any unauthorized person any material which can be shown to contain questions or answers to any examination scheduled to be given at any future date or time in any course of study offered by the university, excluding questions and answers from tests previously administered.
4. No student shall take or attempt to take, steal, or otherwise procure in an unauthorized manner any material pertaining to the conduct of a class, including tests, examinations, grade change forms, grade rolls, roll books, laboratory equipment, etc.
5. No student shall submit any material which is wholly or substantially identical to that created or published by another person without giving appropriate credit (plagiarism). When direct quotations are used, they should be indicated, and when the ideas of another are incorporated into a paper, they must be appropriately acknowledged.
6. No student shall submit false claims of credit for work which has not been submitted by the claimant.
7. No student shall willfully falsify a written or verbal statement of fact to a member of the faculty so as to obtain unearned academic credit.
9. No student shall willfully disrupt the normal classroom activity.
(b) Intoxication made manifest by disorderly conduct, including fighting,
boisterousness, rowdiness, obscene or indecent conduct or appearance, or
vulgar, profane, lewd or unbecoming language.
(b) Physical assault, or the threat of physical assault including sexual assault, on or in university property, or at functions sponsored by the university or any recognized university organization.
(c) Intentionally harassing another person. Harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, threatening, intimidating, verbally abusing, impeding, telephoning, following, or persistently bothering or annoying or any other behavior which has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment. Harassment may represent, but is not limited to, acts based on sex, race, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
(d) Refusal to vacate a building, street, sidewalk, driveway, or other facility when directed to do so by any properly identified faculty, administrator, or staff personnel while they are in the performance of their duties.
(e) Failure to comply with instructions, directions or requests of any properly identified faculty, administrator, or staff personnel acting in the performance of their duties.
(f) Lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression.
(g) The abuse or unauthorized use of sound amplification equipment indoors or outdoors. (Use of sound amplification equipment must be approved in advance by the Dean of Students or his authorized representative.)
(h) Attempting to enter any event sponsored or supervised by the university or any recognized university organization without proper credentials for admission, i.e., ticket, identification card, invitation, or other reasonable qualifications for admission.
(i) Rollerblading activity within twenty feet of any roofed structure
and skateboard activity occurring outside restricted areas (see the Student
Handbook for the designated areas set aside for skateboard activity).
6. Entry or Use of University Facilities:
(b) Unauthorized use of any university telephone facility or of any other university facilities.
(c) Possessing, using, making or causing to be made any key or keys for any university facility without proper authorization.
(d) Unauthorized use of the password or account number of another student or faculty member to gain access to the computer or computer output. (This includes but is not limited to, any knowing and willing use of fraudulent means to process computer programs and obtain access to computer files.)
Under the terms of the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act, anyone accessing, attempting to access or abetting the access of a computer, computer system, or computer network for any scheme to defraud or for the purposes of obtaining money, property, or services by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises is guilty of a crime. Upon conviction, these persons may face a fine of not more than two and one-half times the amount of the fraud or theft, a prison term of not more than 15 years, or both.
The act also outlaws certain accesses, alteration, damage, or destruction of any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software program or data. Convicted offenders will be fined not more than $50,000, face a prison term of not more than 15 years, or both.
Under the terms of this law, it is the responsibility of the Office
of Information Technology to report any violations involving computer systems
for which they are responsible.
(b) Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any university document, record, or identification.
(b) Selling a textbook not his/her own without the permission of the
owner. The sale, or attempted sale, of a textbook not one's own will be
regarded as prima facie evidence of theft. Textbooks found should be turned
in to lost and found at the University Police Department.
11. Safety:
(b) Tampering with fire-fighting equipment, safety devices or other emergency or safety equipment.
(c) Setting an unauthorized fire.
(d) Possession of unauthorized fireworks, firearms or other projective propelling devices, ammunition, or dangerous weapons or materials. (Fireworks are defined as any substance prepared for the purpose of producing visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, or detonation.)
(e) Unauthorized sale, possession, furnishing, or use of any incendiary
device or bomb.
14. Violations of the Student Motor Vehicle Regulations (Violations fall within the jurisdiction of the Southern Polytechnic State University Police Department.)
15. Complicity (Shared Responsibility for Infractions):
(b) Students are responsible for the conduct of their guests on or in
university property and at functions sponsored by the university or any
recognized university organization.
17. Off-campus violations of the Student Conduct Code where there is a clear and present danger of interference with the normal operations of the university or where there is evidence of substantial embarrassment to the university or where there is substantial evidence of either violent behavior toward another person or persons or the illicit sale or distribution of any dangerous drug controlled by law.
When an appeal for academic dishonesty violation reaches the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President may choose to refer the appeal to the Academic Dishonesty Appeal Committee for its review and recommendation before making a final decision. Such a referral to this committee is not required.
The Academic Dishonesty Appeal Committee shall be composed of four faculty members and four students. One faculty member from each of the four schools shall be recommended by the Dean of each school and appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The four student representatives shall be recommended by the President of the Tau Alpha Pi Honor Society and appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
A faculty member of the appeals committee shall be appointed as chairperson by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A quorum for committee meetings shall be five and the chairperson shall vote only in the event of a tie. All normal hearing and due process procedures will be followed in all cases referred to the Academic Dishonesty Appeal Committee.
Removal of a student from a course for academic dishonesty or disruptive behavior will result in a grade of "F". This grade of "F" shall not be superseded by a voluntary withdrawal from the course and will be included in the student's cumulative grade point average calculated for graduation purposes; or
(b) The alleged academic dishonesty or classroom disruption violation
may be referred to the Dean of Students (with documentation) to be handled
the same as any other alleged misconduct violation. If an academic dishonesty
or classroom disruption case is referred to the Dean of Students, the faculty
member must reserve judgment on any grade penalty until there is a determination
of guilt or innocence.
3. When the Dean of Students gives written notification to a student(s) for alleged misconduct, it shall contain a statement of the nature of the alleged or suspected misconduct and state the section(s) of the conduct code allegedly violated.
4. The Dean of Students or his designee will normally confer with the accused student(s) and at the conference the student(s) may (1) admit or deny the alleged violation, (2) waive further hearing and request that the Dean of Students take appropriate action, or (3) request a hearing as specified in Section 5 or 6 below.
5. Cases of misconduct which may result in suspension or expulsion normally will be referred to the Judicial Committee, which shall hear them. (This does not preclude possible legal actions by appropriate law enforcement agencies in those cases of non-academic misconduct in violation of federal, state, or local law.)
6. If the case does not involve possible suspension or expulsion, the Dean of Students may make full disposition of the case except that he may, at the request of the accused or for good cause, refer any case of misconduct to the Judicial Committee.
7. A student accused of an act of misconduct is encouraged to notify his or her parents or guardian of the charge(s). Parents or guardians may schedule a conference with the Dean of Students if they so request.
8. An accused student may continue to attend classes and other school functions until a decision is rendered. Exceptions to this will be when a student's presence may create a clear and present danger of materially interfering with the normal operations of the school or when a material threat exists to members of the campus community. In such cases, the Dean of Students may impose temporary protective measures, including interim suspension, pending a hearing. A student is not entitled to continue in class while a suspension decision is under appeal.
9. After a disciplinary decision has been made, the Dean of Students
shall give written notice of the action taken to party or parties who initiated
the original misconduct complaint.
C. Procedural Rights of the Accused:
2. The Dean of Students shall notify the accused student(s) in writing
at least three days before the scheduled hearing. The written notification
should be by certified, return receipt mail or personal service delivery.
The written notification should specify:
4. Decisions of the committee shall be by majority vote. A quorum for the Judicial Committee shall consist of four members (two faculty and two students).
5. Any member of the Judicial Committee shall disqualify himself or herself if his or her personal involvement in the hearing is of such a nature as to prejudice the case.
6. The hearings of the Judicial Committee shall be open for cases of student misconduct but shall be closed for cases of academic dishonesty. The Judicial Committee may exclude any person who interferes with the hearing.
7. The Judicial Committee shall have the option of making a tape recording of the proceedings or maintaining a written summary outline of the proceedings. This information, when completed, shall become part of the student's disciplinary file which is maintained by the Dean of Students.
8. The chairperson of the Judicial Committee shall, within three working
days, submit a written summary of the case along with the committee's recommended
disciplinary actions to the Dean of Students, who will make the final decision
and notify the accused in writing. The Dean of Students shall also provide
written notification of the action taken to the party or parties who initiated
the original misconduct complaint.
2. Disciplinary suspension-a temporary severance of the student's relationship with the university. Normally, a disciplinary suspension action shall take effect immediately following notification to the student of the disciplinary action. Disciplinary suspension usually will continue for a specified period of time (not less than one term not including the term when the suspension action is initiated). A student who has been suspended shall receive a letter grade of "WF" in all courses for that term.
Once the period of suspension has been completed, the student shall be eligible to register for classes following consultation with the Dean of Students. The student will return to school on automatic disciplinary probation until graduation. If a student is suspended for a period of time of more than one calendar year, that individual must follow normal procedures for readmission outlined in the university catalog.
3. Disciplinary Probation-formal written notice to the student that any further major disciplinary problems may result in suspension. Disciplinary probations may also include community service, fines, restrictions and/or restitution for the damage or destruction of property or for personal injury (medical expenses).
4. Reprimand/Warning:
7. Restitution-a reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property; this may take the form of appropriate service or other compensation.
8. In cases where a student has been found guilty of academic dishonesty
in a particular course, the faculty member may assess an additional academic
penalty. Grade penalties are a faculty prerogative only and not part of
the disciplinary measures to be administered by the Dean of Students.
2. The accused or an accuser who is dissatisfied with the action taken by the President may appeal the case in writing to the Executive Secretary of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia within a period of 20 days following the decision of the President. This application for review shall state the decision complained of and the redress desired. A review by the board is not a matter of right, but is within the sound discretion of the board. If the application for review is granted, the Board, or a committee of the Board, shall investigate the matter thoroughly and render its decision thereon within 60 days from the filing date of application for review or from the date of any hearing which may be held thereon. The decision of the Board shall be final and binding for all purposes.
"Any student, faculty member, administrator, or employee, acting individually or in concert with others, who clearly obstructs, disrupts, or attempts to disrupt any teaching, research, administrative, disciplinary, public service activity, or any other activity authorized to be discharged or held on any campus of the University System is considered by the Board to have committed an act of gross irresponsibility and shall be subject to disciplinary procedures, possibly resulting in dismissal or termination of employment."
IV. Student Rights and Responsibilities
B. Right of Freedom of Association:
Students at Southern Polytechnic State University are free to organize
and join associations to promote their common interests. This organization
is done according to the rules constituted and set forth regarding establishing
student organizations. The regulations are complete and very explicit,
and place cooperative responsibility for the established organization and
the protection of the rights of all students.
C. Right to Listen:
Students or properly established organizations (note regulations for
establishing student organizations) are allowed to invite and to hear any
person of their choosing for the purpose of hearing his or her ideas and
opinions.
If the President of Southern Polytechnic State University, the Board of Regents, or an authorized designee thereof, after proper inquiry, determines that the proposed speech constitutes a clear and present danger to the ordinary operation of the university, he or she can ban the speaker.
Regulations require clearing such invitations through the Office of Student Activities for the purpose of arranging for security through the university police department, publicity through the public relations office, notification of campus organizations, and information to the President.
D. Right to Freedom of Expression:
Students at Southern Polytechnic State University have the right to
express their opinions freely as a part of the educational process of the
university. This includes the right to make complaints to university officials
about unfair or abusive treatment, poor service or any other unacceptable
behavior on the part of any university office, department or agency.
They must, however, respect the rights of others and allow them to be heard as they express their opinions. The students are expected to tell the truth and be mindful of the liability involved should what they express prove not to be fact. This freedom and right to expression is only a right as long as the expressions do not disrupt or interfere with the orderly operation of the campus.
E. Residence Halls:
Should it become necessary to inspect or have access to private quarters,
the procedures listed in the Residence Hall Guidebook will be followed.
2. The right to have sexual assaults committed against them investigated and adjudicated by the duly constituted criminal and civil authorities of the governmental entity in which the crimes occurred; and the right to the full and prompt cooperation and assistance of campus personnel in notifying the proper authorities. The foregoing shall be in addition to any campus disciplinary proceedings.
3. The right to be free from any kind of pressure from campus personnel that victims not report crimes committed against them to civil and criminal authorities or to campus enforcement and disciplinary officials; or report crimes as lesser offenses than the victims perceive them to be.
4. The right to be free from any kind of suggestion that campus sexual assault victims not report, or under-report, crimes because:
6. The right to full and prompt cooperation from campus personnel in obtaining, securing, and maintaining evidence (including a medical examination) as may be necessary to the proof of criminal sexual assault in subsequent legal proceedings.
7. The right to be made aware of, and assisted in exercising any options, as provided by State and Federal laws or regulations, with regard to mandatory testing of sexual assault suspects for communicable diseases and with regard to notification to victims of the results of such testing.
8. The right to counseling from any mental health services previously established by the institution, or by other victim-service entities, or by victims themselves.
9. After campus sexual assaults have been reported, the victims of such crimes shall have the right to require that campus personnel take the necessary steps or actions reasonably feasible to prevent any unnecessary or unwanted contact or proximity with alleged assailants, including immediate relocation of the victim to safe and secure alternative housing, and transfer of classes if requested by the victims.
10. In addition to the above rights, students, whether sexual assault victims or not, have a right to habitability in campus housing and in campus accommodations for which the university receives any compensation, direct or indirect.
Definition: For purposes of this subparagraph, "habitability" shall mean an environment free from sexual or physical intimidation, or any other continuing disruptive behavior by persons sharing rooms or their guests, that is of such a serious nature as would prevent a reasonable person from attaining their educational goals. Substantiated violations of the above-listed habitability provisions shall be corrected by campus personnel by relocation of the complainant to acceptable, safe, and secure alternative housing as soon as practicable, unless the conditions of nonhabitability demonstrate the necessity of immediate action by campus personnel.
VI. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) Policy
It is the policy of the Southern Polytechnic State University to provide
academic programs, support services, and social/recreational activities
to all eligible individuals. In the event that a student, faculty
member, or staff member is diagnosed as having Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS), or there is clinical evidence of infection with the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), they shall retain their right to these
programs, services, and activities. Students and employees of the
university who may become infected with the AIDS virus will not be excluded
from enrollment or employment, or otherwise restricted, unless medically-based
judgments in individual cases establish that exclusion or restriction is
necessary to the welfare of the individual or other members of the university
community.
No admissions restrictions will be applied and no effort will be made to identify a person with AIDS during the admission process.
Students with AIDS will not be denied assignment to a campus residence hall but specific decisions regarding housing assignments and roommates will be made on an individual basis utilizing medical personnel as necessary.
Individuals who have AIDS are expected to seek expert medical advice about their health condition and are obligated to conduct themselves responsibly in the interest of protecting others.
The University will conduct an ongoing education program for students, faculty, and staff regarding the transmission and prevention of AIDS in order to promote rational decision-making and to minimize confusion and fear about this disease.
The University does not have an AIDS Testing Service on campus.
Individuals interested in AIDS testing can talk with the campus nurse or
contact one of the following for assistance:
| AID Atlanta | Cobb County Health Department |
| 1438 W. Peachtree St. | 1650 County Farm Road |
| Atlanta, GA | Marietta, GA |
| Phone: (404) 872-0600 | Phone: (770) 514-2300 |
| Free service including pre- and post-test counseling | $20.00 charge including pre- and post-test counseling |
| Tuesdays, 2:00 - 5:00 pm | Mon-Fri, 8:30 - 11:00 am and 1:00 - 6:00 pm |