Policies & Procedures

Equal Opportunity Policy Statement

It continues to be the policy of Georgia Southern University to implement equal opportunity to all employees, students, applicants for employment or admission, and participants in any of the University’s programs without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Georgia Southern University is committed to the fulfillment of this policy, which prohibits any employee, student, or patron from unlawfully harassing, threatening, or physically or verbally abusing another individual with the effect of unreasonably interfering with that person’s work or academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment. Questions regarding this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to:

Director of Equal Opportunity & Title IX
P.O. Box 8035
Statesboro, GA 30460-8035
(912) 478-5136

Accommodations for Individuals With Disabilities

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Georgia Southern University will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Students must self-disclose any disability for which an accommodation is being sought to the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) before academic or other accommodations can be implemented. For additional information, please call the Director of Equal Opportunity & Title IX at (912) 478-5136 / TDD (912) 478-0273 or the SARC Director at (912) 478-1566 / TDD (912) 478-0666. The TDD phone numbers are intended for individuals with hearing impairments.

Student Notification Policy

All Georgia Southern University students are provided with an e-mail address within 24 hours of student registration. E-mail addresses are the official means of communication between the University and the student. It is the student’s responsibility to check their e-mail each school day for administrative messages. Failure to respond to a University communication or failure to act on a University communication in a timely manner may result in consequences that cannot be appealed or reversed.

Academic Dishonesty

The University’s goal is to foster an intellectual atmosphere that produces educated, literate people. Because cheating and academic dishonesty is at odds with that goal, it shall not be tolerated in any form. Students are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations as set forth in the Academic Dishonesty Policy within the Code of Student Conduct. Therefore, all work submitted by a student must represent that student’s own ideas and effort; when the work does not, the student has engaged in academic dishonesty.

Academic Dishonesty Regulations

1. Cheating is (a) the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise; or (b) actions taken to gain unfair or undue advantage over others. Examples of cheating include (but are not limited to):
   1. Receiving, providing, and/or using unauthorized assistance or materials on any work required to be submitted for any course (including online services or social media).
   2. Alteration or insertion of any grade so as to obtain unearned academic credit.
   3. Fabricating information, research, and/or results such as taking, or attempting to take, an examination for another Student, alteration of legitimate research data, alteration or distortion of laboratory experiments, or deliberate distortion of another’s work or results.
   4. Collaborating with others on assignments without the faculty’s consent.
   5. Impeding the ability of Students to have fair access to materials assigned or suggested by the Faculty Member (e.g., removal or destruction of library or other source materials).
   6. Demonstrating any other forms of dishonest behavior.
2. Classroom Copyright Infringement
   1. Any recording and transmission of classroom lectures and discussions by Students without prior written permission from the class instructor, and without all Students in the class as well as the guest speaker(s) being informed that audio/video recording may occur (it is not a violation if Student has educational accommodations through the Student Accessibility Resource Center).
   2. Uploading any recordings of lectures and/or class presentations to publicly accessible web environments.
3. Facilitation
   1. Cooperating with and/or helping another Student to cheat such as instigating, encouraging, or abetting plagiarism or cheating and/or failing to report a known violation to the appropriate office.
4. Plagiarism is the offering of the words, ideas, computer data programs, or graphics of others as one’s own in any academic exercise. Examples of plagiarism include (but are not limited to):
   1. The offering of another’s work, whether verbatim or paraphrased, as original material without identifying the source(s) in an academic paper.
   2. Directly quoting the words of others without using quotation marks or indented format to identify them.
   3. Self-plagiarism: re-submitting work previously submitted without appropriate or accurate citation or credit and/or without explicit approval from the instructor.
   4. Use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

NOTICE: The list above is intended only to provide general guidelines for recognizing and avoiding common types of academic dishonesty. It is in no way an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all the types of academic dishonesty.

For more information about academic honesty, see the Student Code of Conduct which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct webpage.

Accreditation

Statesboro, Georgia 30460
General Information: (912) 478-5611
www.georgiasouthern.edu

Georgia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associates, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialists and doctorate degrees. Georgia Southern University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Georgia Southern University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404)-679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Auditing Courses

A student may audit a course by submitting a written request to the Office of the Registrar. Academic credit is not awarded for auditing a class. Students may not transfer from audit to credit status or from credit to audit status after the last day of Drop/Add. A grade of “V” (audit) is entered on the student’s record. The student will be responsible for all fees charged for the audited course.

Attendance Verification

Federal regulations require the University to confirm that students are attending class before financial aid will be released to the students. Attendance must be verified for all students regardless of whether the student is receiving financial aid. Students will not receive aid for, and will be dropped from, classes for which attendance is not verified.

Students must complete an online Attendance Verification Quiz for each course within Folio (outside of eCore/GOML and miscellaneous eMajor courses) within the drop/add period and one day later. The quiz contains two questions that students must answer in order to be verified as attending. If a student answers “No” to either of these questions, then they will be removed from the course within 15 minutes of submitting the quiz.

Failing to complete this quiz will result in the student being marked as “Did Not Attend” and the student dropped from the roster. The instructor should not allow the student to continue in the course until they have gone through the proper process to be re-enrolled. If a seat is still available in the course during the drop/add period, the student can simply add the course back to their schedule. If the course needs to be added after the drop/add period, the student must contact the associate dean of the appropriate college for permission to enroll in the course. If the permission is granted, the associate dean will notify the Office of the Registrar to process the registration. The Office of the Registrar representative will add the student back to the course and verify their attendance.

Please remember the following points regarding attendance verification:

• IMPORTANT: A student’s financial aid will be impacted if the student’s attendance verification is not provided in an accurate and timely manner.
• Students will complete an Attendance Verification Quiz for courses set up in Folio. This quiz will report the students as “Attending” or “Not Attending” their courses for the term. Students that are marked as not attending will be removed from the course(s).

• Attendance is verified for all courses including non-lecture courses such as directed study, thesis, practicum, internship, and online courses (non-eCore/GOML and miscellaneous eMajor courses) through this 0-credit Attendance Verification Quiz within Folio.

• Attendance must also be verified for students who have a “Hold Seat” status. If the student does not start attending following the date which the student was expected to return, the student should be marked as “Did Not Attend” and dropped from the course.

• Students in online courses are required to meet the same standards for Attendance Verification as those in face-to-face courses. If the online student does not complete the Folio Attendance Verification Quiz to verify that they are attending the online class, then the student will be marked accordingly by the instructor. Once the drop/add period is over, students will be removed from the course for non-attendance.

This policy applies to all levels of courses and includes on-campus, off-campus, distance learning, two-way interactive video, and online classes. For online classes, students are usually required to make a discussion posting or send an email to the course instructor on the first day. It is the student’s responsibility to verify course drops and check that fees are adjusted.

If additional assistance in submitting attendance information is needed, contact the Office of the Registrar at 912-478-5152 or email regrecords@georgiasouthern.edu.  

Class Attendance

University policy requires students to attend the first class meeting of all classes in which they are registered. Attendance reporting is conducted through the Attendance Verification quiz or course instructor. Students who are verified as “Not Attending” a course will be dropped. This policy applies to all levels of courses and includes on campus, off campus, distance learning, two-way interactive video, and internet (online) classes. Students who have verifiable extenuating circumstances which prohibit them from attending the first day of classes must contact their instructor to avoid being dropped from the course. Students who have been recorded as “Not Attending” may not receive financial aid. Attendance will be officially verified before financial aid will be disbursed.

Students are expected to attend all classes. Specific policies concerning class attendance beyond the first class meeting, including excused and excessive absences will be set by each professor.

Attendance and Student Responsibility

Students are expected to attend all classes. Each instructor has the responsibility for setting specific policies concerning class attendance beyond the first class meeting, including whether they will accept excused absences and whether they will allow missed work to be made up. Instructors should have clearly stated attendance policies in their course syllabus and should make clear what constitutes excessive absences. Departments may establish policies concerning class attendance provided there is unanimous agreement by faculty members within the department. The effect of attendance on course grades is left to the discretion of instructors.

Students are responsible for knowing everything that is announced, discussed, or lectured upon in class, as well as for mastering all outside assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of their course schedule at all times. It is imperative that the student verify the accuracy of their course schedule during the attendance verification period. Students are responsible for dropping all classes that they do not plan to attend or complete. Students are also responsible for registering or adding classes for which they wish to receive credit. Drop/adds must be completed during the drop/add period which is defined on the academic calendar for each term or part of term.

For financial aid reasons, student attendance must be verified before financial aid will be disbursed. Students who have been marked as “not attending” may not receive their financial aid and may be dropped from the class roster. Students may check their attendance status via WINGS.

Authorized Activities

Students participating in authorized activities as an official representative of the University (i.e., athletic events, delegate to regional or national meetings or conferences, participation in university-sponsored performances) will not receive academic penalties and, in consultation with the instructor of record, will be given reasonable opportunities to complete assignments and exams or given compensatory assignment(s) if needed. The student must provide written confirmation from a faculty or staff advisor to the course instructor(s) at least 10 days prior to the date for which the student will be absent from class. The student is responsible for all material presented in class and for all announcements and assignments. When possible, students are expected to complete these assignments before their absences. In the event of a disagreement regarding this policy, an appeal may be made by either the student or the instructor of record to the corresponding college dean.

Exemption for Military Obligations

A student whose military obligations require their absence from class for more than the first day may seek an exemption from the class attendance policy. The student will need to contact the college associate dean to request an exemption from the class attendance policy. Students must also provide the associate dean(s) with a copy of their military orders. The associate dean(s) will contact the appropriate department chair(s) and course instructor(s) with the exemption request. The course instructor(s) will carefully consider the request and will base their decision upon the course attendance policies and the student’s ability to address any missed coursework upon the student’s return.

Excused Absences

The University does not issue an excuse to students for class absences. In case of absence as a result of illness, representation of the University in athletic and other activities, or special situations, instructors may be informed of the reasons for absences, but these are not excuses.

Holiday Observance

It is the policy of the University to permit students, faculty, and staff to observe those holidays set aside by their chosen religious faith. The faculty should be sensitive to the observance of these holidays so that students who choose to observe these holidays are not seriously disadvantaged. It is the responsibility of those who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their instructor(s).

Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct is the official University publication governing student conduct and behavior. It is the responsibility of each Student to become familiar with the rules and regulations governing student life.

Student conduct procedures, appeal procedures, and disciplinary sanctions are found in the Code of Student Conduct at students.georgiasouthern.edu/conduct. Georgia Southern University reserves the right to change the Code of Student Conduct when it becomes necessary to ensure the orderly operation of the University. For additional information, call the Office of Student Conduct at (912) 478-0059 or visit the web.

Complete Withdrawal

To discontinue enrollment prior to the first day of University classes, a student should complete and submit a Voluntary Cancellation/Withdrawal Form. Any student who wishes to withdraw from all remaining courses for the current term must also complete and submit an official Voluntary Cancellation/Withdrawal Form. Failure to complete and submit an official form will result in the assignment of failing grades in all courses for which the student registered. A withdrawal is not permitted after the last day of classes. Grades of “W” will be given for all courses if the withdrawal is before the last day to withdraw without academic penalty. Grades of “WF” will be given for all courses if the withdrawal is completed after the last day to withdraw. A “WF” grade is calculated in the GPA as an “F” grade. Students will not be able to withdraw from all of their classes via WINGS. WINGS prevents students from withdrawing from their last course over the web.

Before withdrawing, students should speak with their instructors, academic advisors, and financial aid counselors. While there can be good reasons for withdrawing from the term, a student should understand the consequences in regards to their degree program, progress towards graduation, and financial aid.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Students are allowed to withdraw from a course up to and including the last day to withdraw (published on the University Calendar for each semester) without academic penalty. Withdrawing from a course requires submission of withdrawal via WINGS. Fees will not be reduced if a student withdraws from a course and a grade of “W” will be recorded on their transcript.

Before withdrawing from a class, students should speak with their instructors, academic advisors, and financial aid counselors. While there can be good reasons for withdrawing from a course, a student should understand the consequences of withdrawing from a course in regard to their degree program, progress towards graduation, and financial aid.

Credit Hour Policy

Georgia Southern’s Credit Hour Policy follows the Federal Definition and the policies in effect at our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) as well as at the University System of Georgia (USG).

Policy Statement

The Federal Definition

“A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than -

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or 10 to 12 weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credits.

SACSCOC Credit Hour Policy

www.sacscoc.org

As part of its review of an institution seeking continuing accreditation, SACSCOC conducts reviews of an institution’s assignment of credit hours. Academic credit has provided the basis for measuring the amount of engaged learning time expected of a typical student enrolled not only in traditional classroom settings but also laboratories, studios, internships, and other experiential learning and distance and correspondence education. Students, institutions, employers, and others rely on the common currency of academic credit to support a wide range of activities, including the transfer of students from one institution to another. For several decades, the federal government has relied on credits as a measure of student academic engagement as a basis of awarding financial aid. The University System of Georgia’s definition of credit hours states, “The academic year shall consist of two (2) regular semesters, each not to be less than fifteen (15) calendar weeks in length excluding registration….A minimum of 750 minutes of instruction or equivalent is required for each semester credit hour.” (USG Policy Manual Section 3.4)

Georgia Southern Credit Hour Policy

The Georgia Southern Credit Hour Policy applies to all courses at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) that award academic credit on an official transcript regardless of the mode of delivery including, but not limited to, fully online, hybrid, lecture, seminar, laboratory, studio, directed study, or study abroad. The academic units are responsible for ensuring that credit hours are awarded only for work that meets the requirements outlined in this policy.

Lecture Courses

Traditional lecture-based courses that meet only in a face-to-face format must meet for 750 minutes for each semester credit hour, whether offered in a full-semester, half-semester, or 5-week format. When courses are offered in hybrid or fully online format, 750 engaged minutes are still required and expected for each hour of credit and course content and learning outcomes should be equivalent to those established in face-to-face sections of the same course.

Laboratory/Studio/Clinical Courses

Georgia Southern will require 1500 engaged minutes for each semester credit hour. In the case of laboratory, studio, or clinical courses, most of these engaged minutes will be spent in the actual execution of the laboratory, studio, or clinical exercises. When the laboratory, studio, or clinical is offered in an online format, 1500 engaged minutes are still required for each hour of credit and course content and learning outcomes should be equivalent to those established in face-to-face sections of the same course.

Additionally, there is an expectation that students spend a minimum of two hours on course work outside of class for every hour spent in class. Out-of-course-work might include, but not be limited to, such assignments as course related readings, research activity, project development, written theme or research papers, preparation for examinations, participation in discussion boards or focused chat rooms.

DegreeWorks

DegreeWorks is a degree auditing system. It is a web-based program that provides easy access for students and advisors to track courses completed and plan for those still needed in preparation for registration and graduation. It allows for easier, more efficient advising and it assists advisors in tracking student and advisor meetings. DegreeWorks should be used to enhance face-to-face advisement meetings. Using DegreeWorks will help students and the University with planning needs.DegreeWorks functions can be used similarly for Undergraduate and Graduate students. Information is the same for both unless otherwise noted. em.georgiasouthern.edu/registrar/students/degreeworks

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is the grade average on all work for which the student is enrolled excluding learning support and proficiency credit eaned at Georgia Southern. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits attempted (GPA hours). Institutional GPA is calculated using only the courses enrolled in and completed at Georgia Southern University. Transfer courses are not included in this calculation.

The institution GPA is used for determining a student’s academic standing. A student shall be in good academic standing unless they have been suspended from the University and not readmitted. An undergraduate student may repeat any course and the highest grade becomes the official grade for the course. In computing the Regents grade point average all grades will be used. Students should be aware that all grades earned at Georgia Southern will appear on the Georgia Southern transcript.

A GPA is computed for each level (undergraduate, masters, specialist, doctorate) of course work. For example, a student who has been enrolled as both an undergraduate and a masters student will have one GPA for all undergraduate course work and one GPA for masters course work. 

Grading Systems

All institutions of the University System of Georgia (USG) shall be on a 4.0 grade point average system, calculated to and truncated at two significant digits. The following grades are approved for use in institutions in the determination of the Grade Point Average (GPA):

The following symbols are approved for use in the cases indicated, but will not be included in the determination of the Grade Point Average (GPA):

¹ Please see “Military Withdrawals” for further information.

Other Transcript Designations

Hardship Withdrawal

In the event a student faces circumstances of extreme duress beyond their control, the student may request a hardship withdrawal from the university. Hardship withdrawals are not meant to be used for appealing academic matters (e.g. grades) but should be used when a student seeks to withdraw from all classes and leave the university for the remainder of that semester. Students must apply for a Hardship Withdrawal with the Dean of Student’s Office prior to the last day of classes for the term they have experienced the hardship.

Hardship withdrawals should fall into one of three categories: medical, personal, or financial. Students will be required to justify their withdrawal with documentation. In instances where a student’s circumstances warrant only a partial withdrawal, documentation will be required to substantiate why this student is able to continue with some coursework but not all coursework. If the hardship withdrawal is granted, the student will receive “W” grades for courses that they enrolled in during the semester.

Hardship Withdrawal Documentation

Personal Statement of Hardship: The written personal statement of hardship should explain how and/or why the non-academic emergency impacted studies. It is essential that the student provide accurate details about the circumstances surrounding the hardship, date(s) of the hardship event(s), and an account of how the event(s) specifically prevented the completion of coursework. In addition, the student will provide official documentation supporting their hardship. This documentation should be consistent with the student’s personal statement, and all documentation will be verified prior to the rendering of any decision regarding the student’s hardship withdrawal.

Categories of Hardship and Documentation Requirements

• Medical (e.g. physical or psychological emergencies): Students may petition for a hardship withdrawal from the University when significant physical or psychological impairments beyond the student’s control interfere with the ability to meet academic requirements.
  • The student will supply a physician’s report on official letterhead. This document will include the physician’s name, address, phone number, nature of the patient’s illness or accident, dates of treatment, prognosis, and the reason they feel that the student can no longer complete their coursework. This document must be signed and dated.
• Personal (e.g. severe medical illness within family, death in the family, arrests, etc.): The student will supply appropriate documentation that builds a case for hardship withdrawal due to personal issues. These documents may include but are not limited to death certificates, obituaries, police reports, or physician’s letters. The student should obtain documents that contain contact information, are dated, and, if possible, are notarized.
  • Students seeking withdrawal for personal reasons must apply with the Dean of Student’s Office prior to the last day of classes for the semester they have experienced the personal hardship.
• Financial (e.g. loss of sole-supporting job, mandatory job changes): The student will supply documentation from an employer or supervisor that clearly states the mandatory change and the date that these changes took place or will take place. This document should contain contact information for an organizational representative that can verify these changes, preferably a human resource professional.
  • A student’s inability to have financial aid in place at the start of a semester is NOT grounds for hardship withdrawal due to financial issues.
  • Students that wish to apply for a Hardship Withdrawal for financial reasons must apply with the Dean of Student’s Office prior to the last day of classes for the semester that they have experienced the financial issue.

SPECIAL NOTE: Application for a Hardship Withdrawal does not guarantee the student a grade of W.

Financial Aid Implications

All students seeking either a partial or full hardship withdrawal from the University are strongly recommended to make an appointment with a financial aid counselor. This is of utmost importance if the student has received financial aid (e.g. scholarships, grants, loans. etc.). The granting of a hardship withdrawal may affect the student’s ability to receive future financial aid and may greatly affect the student’s ability to meet the Federally mandated Standards of Academic Progress. Students should be advised that the granting of a hardship withdrawal does not negate the requirements of meeting the Standards of Academic Progress or the policies regarding mandatory Return of Title IV funds.

Institutional Testing Schedule

(Dates are subject to change, please verify dates at (georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing)

American College Test (ACT) - Residual/On-Campus

The ACT-R is offered in both Statesboro and Savannah by group appointment or by private appointment. Learn more about the ACT-R concerning testing dates and registration by visiting the testing website.

Testing is available by appointment Monday through Friday at 8:30 am. To schedule, a private appointment in Statesboro or Savannah contact the Savannah Testing Office at 912-344-2582 or the Statesboro Office at 912-478-5415. The ACT-Residual Exam is not administered from September 1 - October 31, each year.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

(https://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/mat/)

The MAT is offered in both Savannah and Statesboro. Learn more about the MAT concerning testing dates and registration by visiting the testing website.

Testing is also available by appointment Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. To schedule a private appointment in Statesboro or Savannah, contact the Savannah Testing Office at 912-344-2582 or the Statesboro Office at 912-478-5415.

*The MAT will be phased out in November of 2023.

HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) Nursing Entrance Exam

(georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/net)

The HESI is offered in both Savannah and Statesboro by group appointments with registration information and testing dates listed on the HESI website. Testing is available by private appointment Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. To schedule a private appointment in Statesboro or Savannah, contact the Savannah Testing Office at 912-344-2582 or the Statesboro Office at 912-478-5415.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

(georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/clep)

Offered in both Statesboro and Savannah.

The CLEP allows students to earn credit for certain courses by taking a CLEP exam. To learn more about CLEP Exams and which exams are accepted at Georgia Southern University, see the CLEP website. To schedule an appointment in Statesboro or Savannah, contact the Savannah Testing Office at 912-344-2582 or the Statesboro Office at 912-478-5415.

DSST

(georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/dsst)

DSST allows students to earn credit for certain courses by taking a DSST exam. To learn more about DSST Exams and which exams are accepted at Georgia Southern University, see: georgiasouthern.edu/ success/testing/dsst.

To schedule a private appointment in Statesboro or Savannah, contact the Savannah Testing Office at 912-344-2582 or the Statesboro Office at 912-478-5415.

TEAS-Allied Health

(georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/teas)

The TEAS -Allied Health Exam - is only offered in Savannah. To learn more about registration and testing dates see the TEAS website. For questions contact the Testing Office in Savannah at 912-344-2582 or testingsav@georgiasouthern.edu.

MAPP

(georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/mapp)

The MAPP is only offered in Savannah. To learn more about registration and testing dates see the MAPP website. For questions contact the Testing Office in Savannah at 912-344-2582 or testingsav@georgiasouthern.edu.

Major Fields Test (MFT)

(georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/mft)

The MFT is offered both in Savannah and Statesboro. To learn more about registration and testing dates see the MFT website. For questions contact the Testing Office in Savannah at 912-344-2582 or testingsav@georgiasouthern.edu or for Statesboro call 912-478-5415 or testing@georgiasouthern.edu.

Contact Information

Office of Testing Services

Savannah:
912-344-2582 or testingsav@georgiasouthern.edu

Statesboro:
912-478-5415 or testing@georgiasouthern.edu

Military Withdrawals

A student who is called to active duty to serve in the military while attending courses at Georgia Southern is eligible to receive a Military Withdrawal. Students receiving this type of withdrawal are withdrawn for the semester. A 100% refund is issued. The student will receive “WM” grades for all courses that they enrolled in during the semester. The “WM” grades that are assigned will not affect the student’s GPA. To process this type of withdrawal, the student needs to submit a “Voluntary Cancellation/Withdrawal Form.” The student will need to provide the Office of Military and Veterans Services with a copy of their orders stating the date and place of deployment assigned by the military. 

Music Program

Each academic year, the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music presents more than 100 public concerts, including performances in the Faculty Artist Series, Guest Artist Series, concerts by large and small ensembles, and student recitals. Most performances on the Statesboro Campus take place in the 287-seat Carol A. Carter Recital Hall in the Foy Building; most performances on the Armstrong Campus take place in the Fine Arts Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building.

The School’s performing ensembles include the Georgia Southern Symphony, Southern Chorale, University Singers, Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, Commercial Music Ensemble, Southern Pride Marching Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and Georgia Southern Opera, as well as numerous chamber ensembles.

Individual students perform in graduation, junior, senior, and graduate solo recitals. Information about theFred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music, including the Concert Calendar, is available from the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music web page.

National Testing Schedule

(Dates are subject to change)

American College Test (ACT)

(www.actstudent.org)

The Office of Testing Services in Statesboro offers the National Saturday ACT Exam. To learn more about the testing dates and registration information visit the ACT website.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

(sat.collegeboard.org)

The Office of Testing Services in Statesboro offers the National Saturday SAT Exam. To learn more about the testing dates and registration information visit the SAT website.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Subject Tests

(www.ets.org/gre)

The Office of Testing Services in Statesboro and Savannah offers the GRE-Subject Test. To learn more about the testing dates and registration information visit the GRE-Subject website.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

(www.lsac.org)

The Office of Testing Services in Statesboro offers the LSAT Exam. To learn more about the testing dates and registration information visit the LSAC website.

American Council for Exercise Exams (ACE)

(acefitness.org)

These exams are offered on the computer by appointment through Scantron in both Savannah and Statesboro. For registration information visit acefitness.org.

Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE)

(gace.ets.org)

The GACE is offered in both Savannah and Statesboro. To learn more about the GACE, check the website for the testing dates and to register for the exam. dates. The site number for Savannah is STN14607A and Statesboro STN14503A and STN13816A.

HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) Nursing Entrance Exam

(georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing/net)

The HESI is offered in both Savannah and Statesboro by group appointments with registration information and testing dates listed on the website. Testing is available by private appointment Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. To schedule a private appointment in Statesboro or Savannah, contact the Savannah Testing Office at 912-344-2582 or the Statesboro Office at 912-478-5415.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

(www.ets.org/toefl)

See the TOEFL website for the testing dates and to register for the exam. The exam is only administered in Statesboro in the STN13816A.

Board of Certification (BOC) Athletic Training Certification Exam

(bocatc.org)

This exam is offered on the computer during the national testing periods through Scantron.

For more information concerning testing or registration for a test, check the Office of Testing Services web page at georgiasouthern.edu/success/testing or call (912) 478-5415 or email testing@georgiasouthern.edu for Statesboro or (912) 344-2582 or testingsav@georgiasouthern.edu.

Petition to Review/Change a Grade

The evaluation of the quality of a student’s performance is the prerogative of the instructor. Nothing stated below is intended to place a limitation on this prerogative and the instructor will be involved in the review at each stage in the appeal process. All grade appeals should be viewed as confidential matters between the student, the instructor, and the appropriate administrators.

If a student does not understand the reason for a grade, it is the student’s responsibility to consult the instructor of the course about the grade. If after such consultation the student does not agree with the basis on which the grade was assigned, the student may initiate an appeal according to the procedures given below. The burden of proof will rest with the student. There are four stages of appeal available to a student and they must be followed sequentially. This policy applies to Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Stages Two through Four must be completed during the semester immediately following the semester in which the grade was assigned unless an extension is authorized by the Provost. At the completion of each stage of the appeal, the student is to be notified of the decision in writing.

Procedures

Stage One: An appeal must be initiated within 14 working days after the first day of class of the semester which immediately follows the semester for which the grade was awarded. The student should petition the instructor in writing, giving salient reasons for the grade appeal. The student should retain a copy of the written appeal for personal records.

Stage Two: If the student is not satisfied after the review by the instructor, the student should consult the department chair and submit a copy of the written appeal. The department chair will attempt to resolve the grade appeal. The chair will meet with the instructor and may consult with other persons who have relevant information.

Stage Three: If all efforts to resolve the grade appeal at the departmental level are unsuccessful, the student may submit the written appeal to the dean of the appropriate college. The dean will examine the appeal and other pertinent materials submitted by the student. The dean will meet with the instructor and may also request from the instructor materials deemed relevant. In an attempt to resolve the grade appeal, the dean may interview the student, instructor, and others who may have pertinent information. If the dean determines the need for a review committee to examine the issue, the committee shall consist of:

• One faculty member from the department
• One faculty member from the college, but not from the department of the instructor
• One faculty member from another college
• Ex Officio: A staff member from Student Affairs recommended by the Vice President for Student Affairs

The committee, if appointed, will advise the dean regarding the grade under appeal. Whether the dean chooses to appoint a committee or not, the dean will render a final decision on the grade appeal at the college level.

Stage Four: If all efforts to resolve the grade appeal at the college level are unsuccessful, the student may submit the written appeal to the Provost. The Provost will examine the appeal and other pertinent materials submitted by the student. The Provost will meet with the instructor and also may request materials deemed relevant. In an attempt to resolve the grade appeal, the Provost may interview the student, instructor, and others who may have pertinent information.

If a committee was constituted at the college level, the Provost will review the process, the committee findings, and the decision of the dean and render a final University decision. If a committee was not appointed at the college level, the Provost has the option of appointing a review committee which will conform to the composition described in Stage Three. The committee, if appointed, will advise the Provost regarding the grade under appeal. Whether the Provost chooses to appoint a committee or not, the Provost will render a final University decision.

Policy for Changing a Student’s Final Examination

A change in a student’s final examination schedule will be approved only for emergency reasons, such as serious illness (a note from Health Services or family physician is required) or the death of an immediate family member (a letter or phone call from a parent, guardian, or physician is required). Letters and phone calls should be directed to the appropriate faculty member.

Final examination schedules will not normally be changed for any of the following reasons: wedding of the student, relative, or friend; parttime or full-time job or job interview; internship or field study; vacation; graduation of relative or friend; convenience of travel schedule; or only one final examination remaining at the end of the week. Exceptions to these guidelines can be made, but should be based on a very compelling case.

Using these guidelines, the student may submit a Request to Reschedule a Final Examination form to the instructor, who, with approval of the department chair, has authority to reschedule the final examination to a new time not conflicting with other regularly scheduled examinations or classes if they desire. This form is available on the Provost Office website under the Forms section entitled Reschedule Final Exam Form.

Policy for Changing a Student’s Final Examination if There is a Conflict

A conflict is defined as three exams in a calendar day or two exams at the same time. Conflict Periods are scheduled at the stated times in the semester exam schedule, which can be accessed at: em.georgiasouthern.edu/registrar/students/classinformation/. To resolve a conflict in which a student has two examinations scheduled for the same period, the instructor of the lower numbered course shall reschedule the exam to another time mutually agreed on by the instructor and the student, or to one of the Conflict Periods.

To resolve a conflict in which a student has three examinations scheduled in one calendar day, the examination scheduled for the middle period shall be rescheduled to another time mutually agreed on by the instructor and the student, or to a Conflict Period on another day. It is incumbent upon the student to petition their professor no later than the last week of classes so that an alternative arrangement can reasonably be made. The form is available on the Provost Office website under the Forms section entitled Reschedule Final Exam Form.

Policy for Dropping Courses

A student who drops a course before the drop/add period is over does not receive a grade in the course and the course does not appear on the academic transcript. Courses dropped for non-attendance or for non-payment will also not appear on the academic transcript.

Retroactive Withdrawal

A student who wishes to leave the University for non-academic reasons is expected to withdraw during the current semester as described in the Complete Withdrawal section. Requests to withdraw after the semester is over are rare and considered only if the student was somehow unable to withdraw. For example, students who were hospitalized or incarcerated, asked to perform military service on short notice, or seriously debilitated by a physical or mental illness may be unable to withdraw during the semester in which they are enrolled. In such cases, students may submit a letter of appeal to the Associate Provost along with the appropriate documentation (medical records, court documents, etc.) during the next long-session semester after the grade is reported. Requests made after that time will not be considered. Retroactive withdrawals will not be considered if the student has completed all course requirements such as a final examination and/or a final project.

Transcripts

All requests for an official transcript for students on the Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty campuses will be submitted via Student WINGS or by using the information listed below:

Georgia Southern University has retained Parchment to accept electronic and paper transcript orders over the Internet.

There will be a charge for any orders placed via the website below. Electronic transcripts are $10.00 per order. Paper transcripts are $10.00 per order. Rush delivery of paper transcripts will be an additional charge above the $10.

To request your official transcript click on the link below:

Click Here to visit the Transcript Ordering Services site for pricing details and to place your order.

Click Here to keep track of your order through the Parchment Self Service portal!

University Advancement

The Division of University Advancement consists of Alumni Relations, Development & Annual Giving, and Advancement & Foundation Services. University Advancement is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with campus and external constituencies of the University. The Division nurtures the financial support and goodwill of alumni, parents, friends, businesses, corporations, and foundations on behalf of Georgia Southern’s mission. It also serves as a liaison for the Georgia Southern University Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation oversees private funds given to meet educational and institutional needs at the University not addressed by state appropriations.

The Office of Alumni Relations serves the University by establishing and cultivating lifelong relationships with alumni and friends that result in their participation in and contribution to the growth of the University.

The Office of Development identifies, cultivates, and secures philanthropic gifts in support of Georgia Southern University. Fundraising programs include annual campus and community campaigns, and major and planned gift solicitations.

Advancement Services facilitates fundraising by overseeing gift processing, constituent tracking, relationship management, fund management, and the stewardship of philanthropic gifts. They guide the overall business decisions of University Advancement and the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc.

Learn More about Policies

University-Wide Policies

• Academic Dishonesty
• Accreditation
• Auditing Courses
• Class Attendance
• Code of Student Conduct
• Complete Withdrawal
• Course Withdrawal Policy
• Credit Hour Policy
• DegreeWorks
• Grade Point Average
• Grading Systems
• Hardship Withdrawal
• Institutional Testing Schedule
• Military Withdrawals
• Music Program
• National Testing Schedule
• Petition to Review/Change a Grade
• Policy for Changing a Student’s Final Examination
• Policy for Dropping Courses
• Retroactive Withdrawal
• Transcripts
• University Advancement

Undergraduate

• Academic Alerts  
• Academic Intervention Policy  
• Academic Renewal Policy  
• Academic Standing Policy  
• Classification  
• Course Load  
• Dean’s and President’s Lists  
• Employment Programs  
• Graduate Credit for Seniors (Senior Privilege)  
• Grade Forgiveness Policy   
• Registration Time Tickets and RANs  
• Scholarship Programs  
• Transient Students  

Graduate

• Academic Common Market - Graduate  
• Academic Intervention Policy  
• Academic Standing Policy  
• Border County Fee Waiver  
• Continuous Enrollment Requirements  
• Correspondence Study  
• Degree Requirements  
• Degree Time Limit  
• Enrollment in Dual Programs  
• Exclusion  
• Full-Time/Half-Time Enrollment  
• Grade Requirements  
• Graduate Academic Advisement  
• Graduate Courses  
• Graduate Final Comprehensive Examination  
• Inactive Status  
• Independent Study  
• Internal Credit Sharing Between Graduate Degrees  
• Non-Medical Leave of Absence  
• Off-Campus Research  
• Prior Learning Assessment  
• Probation  
• Program of Study  
• Records  
• Registration Policies  
• Reinstatement Appeal  
• Theses and Dissertations