Right to Change Policies
This catalog is neither a contract nor an offer of a contract. Policies and procedures stated in this catalog require continuing evaluation, review, and approval by the appropriate University officials. All statements reflect policies or procedures in existence at the time the catalog was posted online and went to press, and the University reserves the right to change policies at any time and without prior notice. Not all courses are offered each academic year, and faculty assignments may change.
AA/EOI Notice
Savannah State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Savannah State University is committed to providing equal educational opportunity to all qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, veteran’s status, ethnic origin, sex, age, disability or handicap as a matter of University policy and as required by applicable State and Federal Laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503 and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50).
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
This institution (SSU) is committed to the policy of providing equal opportunity for all persons and will not discriminate in admissions, programs, or any other educational function or service on the basis of sex, disability, age, race, national origin, color, or religion. In carrying out this commitment, the University follows the principle of affirmative action and operates within the federal laws and executive orders prohibiting discrimination. Inquiries concerning the application of any of the federal laws or regulations may be referred to Savannah State University Office of Human Relations.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Students at Savannah State University have certain rights with regard to their educational records as stipulated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA-Buckley Amendment). FERPA is designed to protect the students’ rights with regard to education records maintained by the institution. Under FERPA, students may inspect and review their own education records maintained by the institution and challenge the content of records (except grades which can only be challenged through the academic appeal procedure) on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of privacy or other rights. Students may control disclosures from educational records with certain exceptions. Teachers, administrators and the like within the same institution may look at a student’s record if they have a “legitimate educational interest.” A copy of a summary of the FERPA regulations may be obtained in the Office of the Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20201.
Equal Access Policy
Savannah State University makes every effort to meet special accommodation and access needs. For information on specific accommodations for individuals with disabilities, contact the department of organization sponsoring the class or event you wish to attend or call the Office of Student Affairs at 912- 356-2194, located in the King-Frazier Student Center Complex, Suite 247.
Policy on Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is considered to be a form of discrimination based on sex and falls within the statutory prohibitions against sex discrimination. The university is committed to maintaining a working and a study environment free of sexual harassment. Accordingly, in compliance with Section 703 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, it is the university’s policy not to tolerate any verbal, nonverbal, or physical behavior which constitutes sexual harassment. Personnel with supervisory responsibilities are required to take immediate and appropriate action when incidents of alleged sexual harassment are brought to their attention. Violations of the policy prohibiting sexual harassment may lead to disciplinary actions, including reprimand, suspension, or termination of employment of academic status.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic decisions; or 2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions; or 3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.
Faculty, staff, students, and applicants for employment or admission with complaints of sexual harassment should contact the University EO/AA Office on a confidential basis and request an informal investigation.
Faculty, staff, and students may file formal complaints outside of the university. Students may file formal complaints with the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Faculty may file formal complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Staff may contact the state EEO Office or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Academic Integrity
Savannah State University is an academic community dedicated to teaching, learning, and research. Academic integrity enhances the quality of each student’s education and allows for the recognition of the genuine achievements and accomplishments.
By enrolling at Savannah State University, students acknowledge their obligation to adhere to the Code of Academic Integrity. As members of the University community, students are responsible for promoting academic integrity. This includes the responsibilities to report cases of academic dishonesty and to cooperate with faculty in resolving such cases.
Academic Probation
Students are expected to remain in good academic standing. To be in good standing, a graduate student must maintain an institutional cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better in all graduate credit courses. A student who falls below a 3.0 overall grade point average at any point during the program of study will be placed on academic probation. A 3.0 grade point average must be earned upon completion of an additional nine semester hours to have the academic probation removed. After completion of nine credit hours, if the student fails to meet the 3.0 GPA requirements, s/he will be suspended from the program. Only credit earned in graduate courses at Savannah State University may be used to repair deficiencies in grade point average. In addition, students who receive two (2) “C’s” in core courses in the program at any stage of their study (regardless of their overall GPA) will be dismissed from the program.
A student who is suspended or dismissed may not be readmitted to the program for one full year. If readmitted, the student must first successfully retake the courses where “C” or below grades were received before registering for new courses.
Suspension
Students under suspension cannot attend Savannah State University for a minimum of one term. If the student has already registered for the next term, his/her registration will be dropped. If the student plans on returning to SSU, he/she will need to apply for Academic Re-admission through the Graduate Studies Office.
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998
The Department of Public Safety is primarily responsible for the safety of members and guests of the university community by providing law enforcement services throughout the campus 24 hours per day, seven days per week throughout the calendar year. Staffed by State of Georgia certified officers with specialized training, officers of the Department of Public Safety have arrest powers for offenses committed on any public or private property within 500 yards of any property under the auspices of the University System of Georgia.
Students are entitled to request and receive a copy of the Security Report for the campus, which includes statistics for the past three years concerning crimes and incidents reported to campus security authorities. This report also provides campus policies and practices concerning security; how to report sexual assault and other crimes, crime prevention efforts, policies/laws governing alcohol and drugs, victims’ assistance programs, student discipline, campus resources, and other matters. In emergency situations, students are instructed to contact the Department of Public Safety located in Harris Hall and available by telephone at (912) 356-2186.
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