The GHC Student Handbook contains information critical to student success, important guidelines and policies, and outlines the many available student engagement opportunities.  The handbook also details Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Student Grievance Policy.

Georgia Highlands College Student Code of Conduct

Students of Georgia Highlands College have an obligation to assist in making the college an effective place for the transmission of knowledge, pursuit of truth, development of self, and improvement of society.  By applying to Georgia Highlands College, students are responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with both the requirements of law and all Georgia Highlands College rules and regulations.  Student Conduct supports learning through ethical development, personal reflection, and social responsibility, as guided by the Student Code of Conduct.

Student Conduct Authority

Under the authority of the Board of Regents, Georgia Highlands College is delegated the responsibility for establishing and enforcing regulations pertaining to student conduct. (Regent Bylaws, Article VI, Section B.)   The Georgia Highlands Student Code of Conduct shall apply to conduct that occurs on all College premises, at College-sponsored activities, and off-campus. Off-campus conduct that adversely affects the College community and/or the pursuit of its objectives will be addressed through the student conduct process at the sole discretion of the Student Conduct Administrator.   Each student shall be responsible for his/her conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree. Students are still responsible for their behavior before classes begin, after classes end, as well as, during periods of time between continuous enrollment (i.e. summer or winter break). The Code applies to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending; the disciplinary matter would be resolved if the student chooses to return to the College. 

Jurisdiction

Any individual defined as a Student under this Code falls under the jurisdiction of this Code. For incidents that happen on campus or online, processes outlined in this Code will be followed. For incidents occurring off-campus, the Assistance Vice President of Academic Retention & Resources or designee will determine if the interests of the College are affected and thus the incident falls under the scope of this Code. A Respondent may not withdraw from a class where an Academic Misconduct violation has been alleged or from the College in order to avoid Student Conduct processes.

Standard of Proof

Standard of Proof means the standard by which it is determined whether a violation of this Code has occurred. For the purposes of the Student Conduct Process, the Standard of Proof required is a preponderance of the evidence (the evidence demonstrates it is more likely than not that, a violation has occurred).  Any decision to suspend or expel a student must be supported by substantial evidence at the hearing. 

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) provides that no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

The following are examples of types of sex-based discrimination prohibited by Title IX:

  • Sexual harassment, including sexual assault, occurring in connection with any academic, athletic, extracurricular, or other university program, regardless of the location;
  • Discriminatory decision-making by a supervisor of an employee based on the employee’s sex;
  • Failure to provide equitable opportunity for participation in intercollegiate sports; or disproportionate awards of athletic scholarships.

Pursuant to Title IX and its regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106), Georgia Highlands College’s Title IX Coordinator is the designated university official with primary responsibility for coordinating the university’s compliance with Title IX and other federal and state laws and regulations relating to sex-based discrimination.

For more information on Title IX visit https://sites.highlands.edu/human-resources/title-ix/.