I. Student Conduct Code
A student enrolling at the Southern Polytechnic State University assumes
an obligation to conduct himself or herself in a manner compatible with
the university's function as an educational institution.
Actions considered unacceptable to the institution and subject to discipline fall into the categories of academic dishonesty and non-academic misconduct.
A. Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty is an act or acts on the part of or in behalf of any student, which does or could improperly distort students' grades or other student academic records.1. No student shall receive or attempt to receive unauthorized assistance in the preparation of any laboratory reports, examinations, essays, themes, term papers, or similar requirements to be submitted for credit as part of a course or to be submitted in fulfillment of a university requirement. 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.
8. No student shall forge, alter, or misuse any university document relating to the academic status of the student.
9. No student shall willfully disrupt the normal classroom activity.
B. Non-academic Misconduct:
Non-academic misconduct includes the following specifically prohibited acts whenever, unless otherwise stated, such acts occur on university-owned or controlled property:1. Alcoholic Beverages: (a) Consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages unless authorized by the Vice President for Student Affairs. (b) Intoxication made manifest by disorderly conduct, including fighting, boisterousness, rowdiness, obscene or indecent conduct or appearance, or vulgar, profane, lewd or unbecoming language.
2. Drugs: Use, possession (without valid medical or dental prescriptions), manufacture, furnishing, sales, or any distribution of any narcotic or dangerous drug controlled by law. (This provision is not intended to regulate alcoholic beverages, which are covered by Section I-B-1.)3. Disorderly Conduct:
(a) Breach of the peace or obstruction or disruption of teaching, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other university activities, including its public-service functions or other authorized activities. (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 Vice President for Student Affairs 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).
4. Hazing: Any act which tends to occasion or allow physical or mental suffering in connection with rites or ceremonies of induction, initiation, or orientation into university life or into the life of any university group or organization.5. Damage to Property: Malicious or unwarranted damage or destruction of items of university property, items rented, leased or placed on the campus at the request of the institution, or items belonging to students, faculty, staff, guests of the university or of student groups.
6. Entry or Use of University Facilities:
(a) Unauthorized entry into any university building, office or other facility. (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.
7. False Information and Record Falsification:(a) Furnishing false information to any university official, or on any university document (including the Application for Admission), or offering a false statement in any university disciplinary hearing. (b) Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any university document, record, or identification.
8. Student Delinquencies - Financial Records, Property: Failure to remit, return, or submit financial obligations, property, or records of the university, within the time prescribed by the university.9. Theft:
(a) Taking, attempting to take, or keeping in his/her possession, items of university property, items rented, leased, or placed on the campus at the request of the institution, or items belonging to students, faculty, staff, guests of the university, or student groups. (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 Public Safety/Police Department.
10. Gambling: Playing of cards or any other games of skill or chance for money.11. Safety:
(a) Intentionally false reporting of a fire or that a bomb or other explosive has been placed in any university building or elsewhere on the university property. (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.
12. Any form of unauthorized solicitation in the residence halls, student center, parking lot, or elsewhere on campus.13. Residence: Violation of rules governing residence in university-owned or controlled property.
14. Violations of the Student Motor Vehicle Regulations (Violations fall within the jurisdiction of the Southern Polytechnic State University Public Safety Department.)
15. Complicity (Shared Responsibility for Infractions):
(a) Knowingly acting in concert with any other person to perform an unlawful act or violate a university regulation or policy. (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.
16. Repeated violations of the published rules or regulations of the university, which cumulatively indicate an unwillingness or inability to conform to the standards of the university for student life.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.
II. Disciplinary Administration
A. Disciplinary Procedures:III. Regents' Statement of Disruptive Behavior1. 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: B. Student/Faculty Judicial Committee:(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.
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 D. Hearing Procedures:(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.
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). E. Disciplinary Measures: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.
1. Expulsion-a permanent severance of the student's relationship with the university. F. Appeal Procedures: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. Fines7. 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.
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.
"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:
(b) victims were contributorily negligent or assumed the risk of being assaulted; or
(c) by reporting crimes they would incur unwanted personal publicity.
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.
Victims of sexual assault can obtain assistance from University Police, the Counseling Office, Campus Nurse, Housing Office, or the Vice President for Student Affairs. In addition, there are other services available in the Marietta area including:
24-hour Hotline for information, counseling, and crisis intervention sponsored by the Cobb County YWCA.
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 |