Student Conduct FAQs

How does your office know when and who violates the Student Code of Conduct?

The Student Conduct Office receives various incident reports of alleged student misconduct from a variety of sources, e.g., the College’s Campus Police, but also the Douglas Police or the Coffee County Sheriff too. SGSC’s Housing and Residence Life Office also reports incidents as well as faculty, administrative staff, and students.

How is it determined IF a Code of Conduct violation occurred?

The alleged violator (student(s) is notified by the Student Conduct Office usually by their local address listed in the SGSC Banner system as well as their SGSC email account to attend a meeting to discuss the incident, usually in an administrative setting . The Conduct Officer then explains why the student has been contacted and refers to the Student Handbook’s Student Code of Conduct to discuss the violation(s) believed to be applicable to the incident. The Conduct Officer typically describes the disciplinary procedures and options too. The student then either does or does not accept responsibility for the alleged violations. Depending on their response the next course of disciplinary action results.

What are the student’s rights in this process?

The student’s rights can be found in the SGSC Code of Conduct listed in the SGSC Student Handbook.  

Can a student be disciplined for an incident occurring off-campus?

As a citizen of the SGSC Community, you are expected to represent yourself and the institution in the best possible manner. SGSC reserves the right to deal with alleged violators on or off campus for alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

Will a disciplinary record be noted on one's transcript or revealed to another institution or agency?

No, disciplinary records are typically kept in the Dean of Student office files, but occasionally, disciplinary “holds” may be placed on one’s record as a result of hearing or pending disciplinary action, but nothing is noted on one’s actual transcript. Also, periodically other institutions or agencies make inquiries into a student's disciplinary record at SGSC as a part of their admissions or pre-employment process. If a record exists and the proper pre-authorization is in place a past disciplinary action will be reported.

How is an allegation of misconduct reported?

Anyone wishing to report an incident that might be a violation of the Student Code of Conduct may contact the Dean of Students at (912) 260-4217 or complete a non-criminal incident report, found online at www.sgsc.edu. If it is a crime on campus, it is best to report the incident directly to the SGSC Campus Life first. These reports are generally passed on to the Dean of Students for further investigation. One must realize that the accused will have a right to call into question the report and know who has made an allegation against them. You may also be required to give an account of your allegation usually in writing as well as the possibility of being in person at a hearing IF a disciplinary hearing occurs.

If I am charged with a crime and arrested by the campus police or local law enforcement will SGSC assist in “bailing me out” and are there any legal defense services available on campus to a student?

No to both. It is the policy of this institution not to intervene in a criminal or civil matter between law enforcement and a student. No such legal services exist at SGSC. The local Public Defenders Office may be able to assist only those charged with felonies and determined to be indigent.

If I am arrested and face criminal charges, why do I also face possible disciplinary action with SGSC? Isn’t that “double-jeopardy?”

The SGSC student disciplinary process is just that, a student-focused educational process that does not seek to “mirror” the legal system. Its methodology and consequences are of an educational nature. Double Jeopardy is when one is actually tried twice for the same “crime”. The Dean of Students does not conduct trials. Hearings are used to hopefully redirect the student's focus and behavior toward the goals of the institution, i.e., successful completion of one's degree program.