II. Disciplinary Administration A. Disciplinary Procedures:  
1. All alleged acts of student misconduct (except violations of motor vehicle regulations) may be reported to the Vice President for Student Affairs who is the principal administrator to enforce university disciplinary measures pertaining to student conduct violations. Cases involving charges of alleged misconduct must be carefully documented in writing and substantial evidence must be presented to help prove the alleged offense. In matters of alleged academic dishonesty or classroom disruption, a faculty member either:  
(a) Reserves the right and judgment to privately handle individual student cases. The corrective action to be taken may include a grade penalty or removal from the course with the assigned grade of "F". The faculty member will review the facts and circumstances and then discuss the circumstances with the student before taking final action. In the event the student cannot be reached, he/she will be given the grade of "Incomplete" until such time as he/she can be reached. The student shall have the right of appeal of the faculty member's decision, first to the faculty member's department head, and then to the appropriate school dean, and, if necessary, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.   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 Vice President for Student Affairs (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 Vice President for Student Affairs, the faculty member must reserve judgment on any grade penalty until there is a determination of guilt or innocence.  
2. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall cause to be investigated alleged acts of student misconduct and may appoint a staff member to conduct an inquiry into alleged misconduct and recommend what further action, if any, might be initiated. When additional action is justified, the Vice President for Student Affairs shall notify the accused student(s) in writing.
 
3. When the Vice President for Student Affairs 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 Vice President for Student Affairs 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 Vice President for Student Affairs 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 Vice President for Student Affairs 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 Vice President for Student Affairs 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 Vice President for Student Affairs 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 Vice President for Student Affairs shall give written notice of the action taken to party or parties who initiated the original misconduct complaint.   B. Student/Faculty Judicial Committee:
The Judicial Committee shall consist of three members of the faculty, one of whom shall be selected by the committee as chairperson, and three students selected by the Student Government Association. The three members of the faculty are appointed for two-year terms by the President of the University. They may succeed themselves, but must be reappointed by the President.     C. Procedural Rights of the Accused:  
1. A student accused of misconduct and summoned to a hearing before the Judicial Committee shall have the right to  
(a) Be accompanied by an advisor of his or her choice. The chosen advisor, however, may not actively participate in the dialog of the hearing but will be restricted to consulting and advising his or her client.
 
(b) Remain silent with no inference of guilt drawn therefrom.
 
(c) Question the complainant and all witnesses.
 
(d) Present evidence in his or her behalf.
 
(e) Call pertinent witnesses in his or her behalf.

(f) Appeal the final disciplinary decision of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

  D. Hearing Procedures:  
1. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall set the date, time, and place of the hearing, shall notify the members of the hearing body, and shall summon all principals in the case (defendants and witnesses).
 
2. The Vice President for Student Affairs 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:  
(a) The date, time and place of the hearing.
 
(b) A statement of the nature of the suspected misconduct of which the person is being accused, with sufficient detail to ensure opportunity to prepare for the hearing.
 
(c) Names of witnesses scheduled to appear.  
3. If the accused student is properly notified of a hearing but refuses to accept the certified letter or otherwise does not appear at the hearing, the Judicial Committee may proceed with the hearing in the absence of the accused student. The student may request a rescheduled hearing in the event of a verifiable conflict with the original hearing date.
 
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 Vice President for Student Affairs.
 
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 Vice President for Student Affairs, who will make the final decision and notify the accused in writing. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall also provide written notification of the action taken to the party or parties who initiated the original misconduct complaint. Further distribution of this information shall be restricted because of the confidentiality requirements for student records.   E. Disciplinary Measures:  
1. Expulsion-a permanent severance of the student's relationship with the university.
 
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 Vice President for Student Affairs. 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: (a) Oral reprimand/warning-an oral disapproval issued to the student
(b) Written reprimand/warning-a written statement of disapproval to the student  
5. Restrictions-exclusion from participating in: (a) Social activities
(b) Identification card privileges   6. Fines
 
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 Vice President for Student Affairs.   F. Appeal Procedures:   1. An accused or an accuser who is dissatisfied with the action taken by the Vice President for Student Affairs (or the Vice President for Academic Affairs, in academic dishonesty cases) may appeal the case in writing to the President of the University within five school days after notification of the action. Such appeal shall recite all reasons for dissatisfaction with the previous decision and shall normally require some evidence that procedural due process rights have been violated or that significant new evidence exists that was not considered during the original hearing. A student is not entitled to continue in class while a suspension decision is under appeal. The President, within five school days, may refer the appeal to the Faculty Council and simultaneously notify the Vice President for Student Affairs (or Vice President for Academic Affairs). The appropriate Vice President shall be responsible for notifying the party or parties who initiated the original complaint that an appeal is in process. If requested, the Faculty Council shall review all facts and circumstances connected with the case and ensure that all sides of the case are adequately reviewed. Within five school days the Faculty Council shall make its findings and forward its recommendation to the President. After consideration of the committee's report, the President shall within five school days make a decision and notify the appellant in writing.   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.