Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Services Provided by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities

• Student Conduct
• Student Advocacy
• Wellness and Life Coaching
• Mediation
• Behavior Intervention Team
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Task Force
• Preventative and Wellness Program Initiatives
• Mental Health First Aid training

Mission Statement

The mission of the Georgia Southwestern State University Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities is to foster student engagement and success by promoting a campus culture of safety and well-being through education and awareness initiatives focused on individual responsibility and adherence to community standards of acceptable behavior and civic virtues outlined in the Student Conduct Code. The office will help students understand the impact of their behavior on the global community and to assist them with making future decisions that lead to personal and professional success.

The goals of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities are:

1. to promote a campus environment that supports the overall educational mission of the University;
2. to create a climate of wellbeing and support;
3. protect the University community from disruption and harm;
4. to provide advocacy for all students;
5. to encourage appropriate standards of individual and group behavior; and
6. to foster ethical standards and civic virtues.

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibility fulfills this mission by providing programs and services that:

1. develop, disseminate, interpret, and enforce campus regulations;
2. teach students about appropriate behavior and community membership;
3. provide programs and activities that foster students' intellectual, ethical and cultural development;
4. intervene effectively when behavior violates the Conduct Code;
5. encourage students to seek assistance through individual life coaching and wellness coaching sessions;
6. offer educational and leadership opportunities for students who participate in the operation of the Student Conduct Process; and
7. assist and advocate for students with non-academic complaints.

Report a Conduct Violation

Individuals interested in submitting a report of potential Code of Conduct regulation violations should do so in writing. Reports not submitted in writing will be independently verified prior to beginning a conduct investigation. Reports should be submitted as soon as possible after the alleged violation. For individuals filing a report, a meeting can be arranged with a staff member in the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities to discuss the conduct process.

Refer Any Kind of Behavioral Concerns to the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT):

The Behavioral Intervention Team is dedicated to a proactive, coordinated and planned approach to the identification, prevention, assessment, management, and reduction of interpersonal and behavioral threats to the safety and well being of Georgia Southwestern State University students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Report to BIT behaviors such as:

• Violent fantasy content
• Anger problems
• Fascination with weapons
• Homicidal ideation
• Stalking
• Non-compliance or disciplinary matters
• Interest in previous shooting situations
• Victim/martyr self-concept
• Strangeness and aberrant behavior
• Paranoia
• Violence and cruelty
• Acting out
• Recent police contact
• Mental health history related to dangerousness
• Unusual interest in police, military, terrorist activities and materials
• Anxious, depressed or overwhelmed
• Prolonged and significant difficulty with the demands of college
• Pattern of relationship problems
• Speaking or writing that seems bizarre
• Loner
• Expressionless face
• Use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Suicidal ideation

Schedule a Meeting for Wellness Counseling:

A Wellness Coach will work with you to:

• Set and achieve personal goals
• Initiate and sustain wellness behaviors
• Balance dimensions of health and wellbeing
• Learn resilience and coping skills
• Identify potential barriers to change and develop strategies to move forward

Wellness Topics Include:

• Adjustment to GSW
• Getting connected on campus, finding your peer group
• Stress/anxiety management
• Time management
• Relationships
• Creativity and problem-solving

Wellness coaching can also help if you are simply feeling stuck and would like to work through other barriers to personal health and wellbeing. There are certain situations where the needs of an individual cannot be met by Wellness Coaching. In those situations, you will be directed to a therapist, dietitian, or other trained healthcare professional. Many times, in those cases, you can have sessions with a Wellness Coach to work on the goal setting process related to the advice given by your health care professional.

Schedule a Wellness Training, Program, or Certification Session

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities will conduct a training, program or certification session for any student organization, residence hall, or class meeting upon request:

• Mental Health First Aid
• TIPS Alcohol Bystander Training
• QPR Suicide Prevention
• Alcohol and Drug Education
• Healthy Relationships
• Diversity
• Conflict Resolution
• Life Management
• Adulting Skills
• Risky vs. Responsible Behavior
• Stress Management
• Time Management
• Organizing Skills
• Goal Setting
• Healthy Habits
• Social Media Behavior

Seek Advocacy for Complaints Related to Non-Academic Issues

A student may have a complaint about a problem that occurs outside of the classroom or is not related to a student's program of study. Examples of such complaints are:

Students may email or bring any complaints in person to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. They may also seek assistance or advocacy with any part of the informal or formal non-academic complaint process with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Contact Us

Dr. Darcy Bragg
Director
Student Success Center Room 3436
229-931-2378
student.rights@gsw.edu