Any person or persons who have been appointed to the Student Conduct Board to consider an appeal from a previous determination as to whether a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct or related to the sanctions imposed.
Appeals Boards shall be comprised of one faculty member, one staff member, and one student of the approved Student Conduct Board and shall not include any member of the original hearing panel.
CHIEF STUDENT CONDUCT OFFICER
The individual designated by the University President to be responsible for the administration of the Student Code of Conduct.
COMPLAINANT
Any person who submits a written complaint or charge alleging that a student violated the Student Code of Conduct or who is alleged to have experienced conduct that would violate the Student Code of Conduct or any other Board or applicable institution policy.
EXPULSION
A permanent severance of a student’s relationship with the University.
Students who are expelled may not participate in University-sponsored activities or be present on campus without prior written authorization and approval from a Student Conduct Officer.
Students who are expelled during a semester in which they are enrolled in classes shall receive the grade of “F” in those classes.
Expelled students may not receive a refund of fees.
FACULTY MEMBER
Any person hired by the University to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the University to be a member of its faculty.
May be synonymous with “professor” and/or “instructor”.
HEARING OFFICER
An individual who has been trained to serve as the hearing body and decision maker in determining whether a student has or has not violated the Student Code of Conduct. When it is determined that a violation did occur, the Hearing Officer will also determine appropriate sanctions to be imposed on the student.
INSTITUTION
Refers to Middle Georgia State University, which may also be designated as MGA or “University”.
MAY
When seen in the Student Code of Conduct, “may” is used in the permissive sense.
MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
Any person who is a student, faculty member, University official, staff member, or any other person employed by the University.
May also include contractors, vendors, visitors and guests.
A person’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs in his/her role as Chief Student Conduct Officer.
The evidence in a case must be sufficient to incline a reasonable and impartial mind to one side of the issue rather than to the other side.
In other words, it is more likely than not that a violation occurred.
RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATION (RSO)
Any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements of the University’s recognized student organization process.
May include student clubs, Greek lettered organizations, and athletic teams.
RESPONDENT
An individual who is alleged to have engaged in behavior that would violate the Student Code of Conduct or any other Board or applicable institution policy.
SHALL
When seen in the Student Code of Conduct, “shall” is used in the imperative sense.
STUDENT
Includes all persons taking courses at the University, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies.
May also include:
Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Code of Conduct.
Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the University.
Persons who have been notified of their acceptance for admission.
Persons who are living in University residence halls when classes are not in session.
STUDENT CONDUCT BOARD
Any person or persons authorized by the University, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee of the MGA Faculty Senate, to serve as decision makers in determining whether a student has or has not violated the Student Code of Conduct. When it is determined that a violation did occur, the Board will also determine appropriate sanctions to be imposed on the student.
Student Conduct Board hearing panels shall be comprised of one faculty member, one staff member, and one student.
STUDENT CONDUCT OFFICER
A University official authorized by the President or as defined in the individual’s job description to investigate violations of the Code of Conduct and impose appropriate sanctions on students found to have violated the Code.
In limited cases, the President may authorize a Student Conduct Officer to serve simultaneously as a Student Conduct Officer and the sole member or one of the members of the Student Conduct Board, further authorizing the same Student Conduct Officer to impose appropriate sanctions.
A Student Conduct Officer typically serves as the non-voting chair during Student Conduct Hearings.
SUSPENSION
A specific and defined period of time which terminates the student’s status as an enrolled student and prohibits the student from attending classes. Further, suspended students may not participate in University-sponsored activities or be present on campus without prior written authorization and approval from a Student Conduct Officer.
Suspended students may not receive academic credit of any kind from another institution if earned during their period of suspension from the University.
Suspended students may not receive a refund of fees.
UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL
Any person employed by the University performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
UNIVERSITY PREMISES
Includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the University (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).
