Students are not only members of the academic community, but are also members of the larger society.  Students, therefore, retain the rights, guarantees, and protections afforded to and the responsibilities held by all citizens.  A student is not immune to prosecution by local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies irrespective of whether the University initiates the Student Conduct Process.  As members of the University community, students have a responsibility to know and follow the Student Code of Conduct.  Violations of these regulations will result in action by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Students’ Rights

1. A student shall have the right to participate in a free exchange of ideas, and there shall be no University rule or administrative rule that in any way abridges the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
2. Each student shall have the right to participate in all areas and activities of the University, free from any form of discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or veterans status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
3. A student had the right to personal privacy except as otherwise provided by law, and this will be observed by students and University authorities alike.
4. Each student subject to disciplinary action arising from violations of University Student Conduct Code shall be assured a fundamentally fair process.

1. The right of students to be treated with dignity, courtesy, and fairness.
2. The right to miss, without penalty, class meetings held at hours other than their regularly scheduled times.
3. The right to consult with an assigned advisor for a reasonable time to complete the advisement necessary for the student's present semester as well as for future planning.
4. The right to transfer core curriculum within the University system.
5. The right to consult with faculty outside of classroom time during regularly scheduled office hours or by appointment.
6. The right to have access to campus facilities of which use is required to complete course assignments and objectives, i.e., computer lab, any academic building.
7. The right to receive at the beginning of each semester, for each course, a syllabus which outlines course objectives and requirements. If changes to the syllabi are made during the semester, students should be informed of these changes in writing.
8. The right to receive access to any and all of their own personal records.
9. The right to have access to standards of grading and evaluation.
10. The right to be informed of the grade appeals process.  

Students’ Responsibilities

1. A student has the responsibility to respect the rights and property of others, including other students, the faculty and University officials.
2. A student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with the published University Student Rules and to comply with them, as well as federal, state and local laws.
3. A student has the responsibility to recognize that student actions reflect upon the individuals involved and upon the entire University community.
4. A student has the responsibility to maintain a level of behavior that is consistent in supporting the learning environment of the institution and to recognize the University’s obligation to provide an environment for learning.

As would be expected, standards for Georgia Southwestern State University students are higher than those of communities not engaged in scholarly pursuits.  Not every situation a student may encounter can be anticipated in a written document.  Therefore, students are expected to act in a manner that demonstrates integrity and respect for others and the campus environment.

Handbook Updated 8/11/2021