FACULTY HANDBOOK

Table of Contents

Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The University System Of Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Institutions Of The University System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Brief History Of Valdosta State University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Mission Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The Main Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The North Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Administrative Organization 9

Academic Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

General Administrative Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Vice President for Academic Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Deans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Department Heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

University Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Policy on Evaluating Administrators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Non-Academic Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Non-Academic Administrative Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Vice President for Business and Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Other Non-Academic Administrators 12

Assistant to President for Equal Opportunity Programs and

Multi-Cultural Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Assistant to President for Information Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

The President's Cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Academic Units Of The College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

The College of Arts and Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The College of Business Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The College of Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The College of the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 14

The College of Nursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Graduate Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Division of Aerospace Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Division of Social Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Office of International Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Department of Developmental Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Odum Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

The Office of the Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

The Office of Admissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Faculty Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

The Faculty Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Committees of the Faculty Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Statutory Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Standing Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Special Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Faculty Grievance Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Grievance Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Faculty Rights And Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Academic Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Academic Programs: Board of Regents Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Professional Standards: An Academic Code of Professional Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Additional Professional Expectations and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Intellectual Properties Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Open Records Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Employment of Relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 38

Office Hours and Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Advisement of Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Assignment and Use of Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Outside Consulting Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Political Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Sexual Harassment Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

A Drug-Free Work Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Tobacco Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Academic Convocations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Grade Posting Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Final Exam Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Student Grade Appeals and Student Academic Irregularities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Process for Proposing New Curriculum or Revising Existing Curriculum . . . 56

Timely Assessment of Student Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Academic Renewal Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Emergency Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Faculty Evaluation Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Board of Regents Policy Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Evaluation Policies for Promotions, Salary Increases, and Tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61

Promotions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Salary Increases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Pre-Tenure Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Post-Tenure Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Non-Tenure Track Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Tenure for Non-United States Citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Availability of Evaluation Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Graduate Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Criteria for Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Additional Graduate Departmental Admissions Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 75

Employment Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Appointment to the Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Equal Opportunity Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Contracts and Payroll Periods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

General Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Intention to Renew Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Signing of Faculty Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Payroll Deductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Direct Deposit of Paychecks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Work Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Overload Teaching and Extra Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Summer Quarter Teaching and Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Leaves of Absence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Termination of Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Emeritus Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Resignations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Non-Renewal of Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Exiting Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Health and Psychological Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Sick Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Vacation Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Worker’s Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Retirement Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Tax Sheltered Annuities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Group Insurance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Long Term Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Basic Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Supplemental Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Dependent Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Health Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Supplemental Health Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Dental Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Flexible Benefit Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Open Enrollment Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Benefits at Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Benefits at Non-Renewal of Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

The Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

American Express Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Academic And General Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Library Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Library Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Faculty Borrowing Privileges and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Periodical Subscriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Interlibrary Loan Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Use of University System Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Information Services Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Computer Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Government Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Circulation of Reference Books and Periodicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Audio-visual Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Videos & Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Reserve Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Copyright Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Computer Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Division of University Advancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Advancement Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Alumni Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

University Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Philanthropic Support of Valdosta State University: A Policy Statement . . . . 94

Office of Institutional Research and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Office of Grants and Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Faculty Development and Research Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Public Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

The University Bookstores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Food Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

University Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Campus Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Postal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Programs, Organizations, And Cultural Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

University Honors Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

International Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Guidelines for VSU Faculty and Staff Participation in International Programs . . . 100

Other Organizations and Cultural Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

American Association of University Professors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

American Association of University Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Recreational Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Appendix I: Annual Faculty Evaluation Form and Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Appendix II: Graduate Faculty Application Form and Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Appendix III: Organizational Chart of Valdosta State University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Appendix IV: Flow Chart for Post-Tenure Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Appendix V: Post-tenure Review Implementation/Priority Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Appendix VI: Forms for Evaluating Administrators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Appendix VII: Campus Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY HANDBOOK

REVISED, 1992

REVISED, 1995

REVISED, 1997

FORWARD

This 1997 Edition of the Valdosta State University Faculty Handbook reflects as closely as possible the numerous recent policy and procedural changes of the Board of Regents and the University — including especially the establishment of the Faculty Senate. It is the intention, therefore, of the Faculty Handbook Committee and the editors to provide current and accurate informa­tion pertinent to faculty interests and responsibili­ties.

The information provided here is derived in large part from official documents of both the Board of Regents and Valdosta State University. These documents include the Board of Regents' Policy Manual and the Board of Regents' Academic Affairs Handbook. The latter is a reference guide to the Policy Manual, and contains material derived primarily from the following sections of the Manual: Academic Affairs (Section 300), Student Affairs (Section 400), and Personnel (Section 800). Also included is the Valdosta State University Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, which contains policies both of the Board of Regents and of the local institution. Copies of all three documents are available at the Reserve Desk of Odum Library. Institutional documents include the Valdosta State University Statutes, Faculty Senate Bylaws, Undergradu­ate Bulletin, Graduate Bulletin, Faculty/Staff/Students Directory, and Student Handbook. The latter four publications are revised annually. In addition, Valdosta State College, The First Half Century, by Thera Hambrick, has proved helpful in developing the early sections of the Handbook. This resource is also available at the Reserve Desk of Odum Library.

As to future editions of the Faculty Handbook, the Committee has expressed an interest in providing more frequent revisions than has been the case in the past. University personnel are therefore requested to forward notices of omissions, errors, or policy and procedure changes to the Committee -- either directly, or through the Executive Secretary of the Faculty Senate. Suggestions regarding format, wording, and style are likewise solicited. These communications will be reviewed by the Committee during the present academic year, with a view to incorporating them into plans for the next Edition of the Handbook.

The Faculty Handbook has been prepared by numerous individuals affiliated with the University and is meant to accomplish no more than to provide a brief summary of Board of Regents and local institu­tional policies, procedures and benefits, and serve as a concise orientation to the University and its organization and services. This Handbook does not constitute a contractual obligation on the part of the institution. Board of Regents policy, together with federal and state laws, will prevail should conflicts in information, policy or procedure occur.

THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

The University System of Georgia includes all state-operated institutions of higher education in Georgia. These thirty-four public institutions are located throughout the state.

A fifteen-member constitutional Board of Regents governs the University System, which has been in operation since 1932. Appointments of Board members -- five from the state-at-large and one from each of the state's eleven Congressional Districts -- are made by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Georgia Senate. The regular term of Board members is seven years.

The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and other officers of the Board are elected by the members of the Board. The Chancellor, who is not a member of the Board, is the chief executive officer of the Board and the chief administrative officer of the University System.

The University System Advisory Council, with thirty-six committees, engenders continual System-wide dialogue on major academic and administrative matters of all types. It also makes recommendations to the Chancellor, for transmittal to the Board of Regents as appropriate, regarding academic and administrative aspects of operation of the System.

The Advisory Council consists of the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, and all Presidents as voting members; and it includes other officials and staff members of the institutions as nonvoting members. The Advisory Council's twenty-two academic committees and fourteen administrative committees are made up of representatives from the institutions. The committees dealing with matters of University System-wide application include, typically, at least one member from each institution.

INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Albany State University

Armstrong Atlantic State University Atlanta Metropolitan College

Augusta State University Bainbridge College

Clayton College and State University Coastal Georgia Community College

Columbus State University Dalton College

Darton College DeKalb College

East Georgia College Floyd College

Fort Valley State University Gainesville College

Georgia College & State University Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Southern University Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia State University Gordon College

Kennesaw State University Macon College

The Medical College of Georgia Middle Georgia College

North Georgia College & State University Savannah State University

Skidmore Institute of Oceanography South Georgia College

Southern Polytechnic State University University of Georgia

Valdosta State University Waycross College

State University of West Georgia

University System of Georgia

244 Washington Street, S.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

HISTORY OF VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

The idea of establishing a state university in the Valdosta area originated with local citizenry. State Representative C. R. Ashley and State Senator William S. West presented bills proposing the establishment of a university in Valdosta to the House of Representa­tives and the Senate, respectively, in 1906. By an act of the Georgia State Legislature in 1906, the establishment of an agricultural, industrial, and normal university in South Georgia as a branch of the University of Georgia was approved.

The institution was named the South Georgia State Normal College in 1914, and was designated for women only. All functions of the College were located in one building, Converse Hall. The state approved operating budget for the first year was $50,000. In the initial quarter of the operation, the College had two chief administrators (Dr. R. H. Powell, President, and J. M. Guilliam, Superintendent of the Training College), ten faculty members, a matron, a secretary and a bookkeeper.

An act of legislature in 1922 changed the name to Georgia State Woman's College, and authorized a four-year program leading to the bachelor's degree. The Board of Regents made the College coeducational in 1950 and changed the name to Valdosta State College. In 1992 the name was changed to Valdosta State University to reflect the changing mission of the institution.

As a regional university in the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University offers undergraduate degree work leading to the Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, the Bachelor of Arts in thirteen major programs, the Bachelor of Science in nine major programs, the Bachelor of General Studies, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Bachelor of Science in Education in seven major programs, the Bachelor of Business Administration in six major programs, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in four major programs, the Bachelor of Music in two major programs. Graduate degrees offered are the Master of Education in eleven major programs, the Master of Arts with majors in English and History, the Master of Science with majors in Psychology and Sociology, the Master of Public Administration, the Master of Science in Nursing, the Master of Social Work, the Master of Music Education, the Educational Specialist in nine major programs, and an Doctorate in Education with majors in Adult and Vocational Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Leadership.

MISSION STATEMENT

VSU, including the administration, faculty, staff, and students, through a system of shared governance and the fostering of a climate that supports academic freedom will continue to develop as a regional university serving its south Georgia constituency.

Since 1913, Valdosta State University has been a major provider of educational services for south Georgia. The beauty and consistency of its Spanish Mission style of architecture are indicative of its dedication to preserving the region's heritage while developing programs and services to enhance its future.

Valdosta State University shares with other regional universities of the University System of Georgia the following core characteristics:

• a commitment to excellence and responsiveness within a scope of influence defined by the needs of a specific region of the state, and by particularly outstanding programs or distinctive characteristics that have a magnet effect even beyond the region;

• a commitment to a teaching/learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom, that sustains instructional excellence, serves a diverse and well-prepared student body, promotes high levels of student achievement, offers academic assistance, and provides developmental studies programs for a limited student cohort;

• a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary academic programming at the baccalaureate and masters levels, as well as a range of professional programs at the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels, including a limited number of professionally-oriented doctoral level programs;

• a commitment to public service, continuing education, technical assistance, and economic development activities that address the needs, improve the quality of life, and raise the educational level within the university's scope of influence;

• a commitment to scholarly and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and to encourage faculty scholarly pursuits, and a commitment to research in selected areas of institutional strength and focused on regional need.

As a regional university in south Georgia, Valdosta State cooperates with other University System institutions to insure that the region receives the services it needs. To expand its programmatic outreach, it develops and offers programs by distance learning and at off-campus locations throughout the region. It will continue to exercise a leadership role, particularly in providing access to doctoral programs, primarily in education, and to applied research.

VSU prides itself on offering nationally accredited programs in Art, Business, Music, Nursing, Sports Medicine, Speech and Language Pathology, School Psychology, and Teacher Education which have a magnet effect beyond the institution's primary setting. In its academic credit programming, VSU will place a priority on developing existing programs that aid the educational, economic, cultural, and social advancement of its region and new programs in health related professions and public administration. The programs will continue to be supported by strong preparatory courses and majors in the humanities, sciences, and social studies. VSU also remains committed to pre-professional programs preparing its undergraduate students for medical, legal, technical, and other professional study.

In its service to students, VSU concentrates on those from the region including a large number of older, non-traditional students who live and work off campus and many who transfer from other institutions. To serve its region and to attain maximum educational benefits, the university promotes an atmosphere which attracts a diversified student body, of which a representative proportion will be minority students.

VSU promotes a successful learning experience by maintaining services for minority, disabled, veteran, international, and other special students. To aid in developing the whole student, it provides counseling, health services, academic advising, special assistance, honors programs, international programs, career planning, and many co-curricular activities.

VSU is committed to providing life-long learning and to the economic and cultural development of its region. It offers various non-credit programs and services through the South Georgia Institute, ArtSouth, the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, the Music Society, and other organizations. Community relations are enhanced through alumni services and VSU-TV and Radio. Community service and technical assistance are offered by faculty and staff in a variety of forms.

Research, scholarship, and creative endeavors exist primarily to meet the regional needs of schools, businesses, and other organizations, and to promote faculty development and instructional improvement.

VSU aspires to improve continuously the quality of its programs, scholarship, and student services. Assessment of programs, the raising of standards, and the refinement of learning technologies will improve the university. To aid in this objective, institutional research and planning, external funding, and collaborative relationships with other institutions will be promoted and programs will be implemented that meet student needs and provide the maximum opportunity for faculty development.

THE CAMPUS

The Main Campus

West Hall, named after State Senator William S. West, the author of the University's charter­ and the President of its first Board of Trustees, has long been known as the symbol of Valdosta State University, and was recently restored and expanded in accordance with the original design for the building.

Nevins Hall, dedicated in 1966, is named in honor of the late Beatrice I. Nevins, Head of the Biology Department for many years.

Powell Hall, is named for Richard H. Powell the first president of the University.

The Fine Arts Building opened in 1969. In addition to classrooms, laborato­ries, offices, and many specialized areas, the building contains an art gallery, TV studios, two auditoriums and the Pine Room. The Whitehead Auditorium contains a fine concert pipe organ, a gift to the University by the late Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Whitehead. In apprecia­tion of their generosity, the auditori­um is named in memory of Mr. Whitehead's parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Q. Whitehead. Sawyer Theater is named after Louise Sawyer, former Head of the Communi­ca­tion Arts Department.

Odum Library, completed in 1972, is the center of academic life for the campus. In August of 1990, Odum Library was named for Gertrude Gilmer Odum, in memory of a major benefactor of the University and former faculty member in the English Department. The Odum Library is the center of academic life for the campus.

The Education Center was completed in 1973, and is located adjacent to the Oak Street parking lot. Several computer labs provide the most modern facilities for training students interested in becoming teachers, school administrators, and other specialists in educa­tion.

Brookwood Hall, is located on Patterson Street across from Brookwood Plaza.

Campbell Hall is located at 1515 North Patterson Street.

The Alumni House is located at 1603 N. Patterson Street.

Campus Security Headquarters are located at 103 E. Brookwood Place.

Radio House, 203 W. Brookwood is across from the Fine Arts Building.

Baytree Offices are at the corner of Baytree Road and N. Oak Street. They house University apartments used for visiting Scholars-in Residence.

University Center is located on the site of a former shopping center, and has been remodeled for usage since 1995.

Regional Continuing Education Center is located at 901 N. Patterson Street.

The University Union, dedicated in 1966 and expanded in 1976, contains the Blazer Cafe, the University Bookstore, and the Post Office. It is built around the swimming facility which is used for physical education aquatic classes and recreation.

The Palms Dining Center, renovated in 1969, seats 1,000 diners at a time. Featuring cafeteria-style serving, this food service facility is under direct supervision of a trained dietician.

The Physical Education Complex was completed in the Spring of 1982 at a cost of approximately $6,000,000. This modern facility, one of the finest in the South, seats 5,500 people for basketball and 6,000 for graduations and concerts. Classrooms, weightroom, training rooms, varsity and physical education dressing rooms for men and women, a Human Performance Laboratory, athletic training room, and the VSU Health Fitness Center are also included in the building.

The Old Gymnasium was renovated extensively in 1982.

The Plant Operations Building is located next to the Old Gymnasium.

Ashley Hall, named for C. R. Ashley, State Representative, houses faculty and staff offices.

The VSU Day Care Center is off campus and provides day care for special needs children and other children.

University Residence Halls include Converse Hall, named in honor of State Representative W. L. Converse; Reade Hall, remodeled in 1987 and named in honor of Frank R. Reade, third president of the University; Hopper Hall, named in honor of the University's first Dean of Women, Anne Powe Hopper; Brown Hall, named in honor of Joseph M. Brown, Governor of Georgia when the institution opened its doors in 1913; Lowndes Hall, named in apprecia­tion of the county in which the University is located; Georgia Hall, named for the State and for the avenue on which the building is located; Langdale Hall, named for one of South Georgia's pioneer families and leading citizens; and Patterson Hall, named after the street on which the building is located.

The President's Home, acquired for the University in 1948, is the scene of numerous receptions and other functions throughout the year. Located at the Northwest corner of Main Campus on Georgia Avenue, the residence was first occupied by the institution's fourth president, J. Ralph Thaxton. In 1966, Sidney Walter Martin was named president to succeed the retiring President Thaxton. The home was redecorated and an additional room for small student and other group meetings was added. Hugh C. Bailey became the sixth president of Valdosta State College in August, 1978 and now resides in the President's Home.

Williams House is located at 218 Georgia Avenue adjacent to the University President’s home. The Williams House was purchased by the University in December, 1994 from the family of the late Conrad T. Williams.

North Campus

Barrow Hall, named in memory of David Barrow, Chancellor of the University System at the time that the University began opera­tions, was remodeled in 1971.

Pound Hall, named after Dr. Jere M. Pound, the second president of the University, underwent massive renovation in 1990 and provides a large lecture hall as well as classrooms, the Decision Center and an Auditorium.

Thaxton Hall, named after Dr. J. Ralph Thaxton, VSC's fourth president, was remodeled in 1972.

Plant Operations Warehouse and Greenhouse are housed in the frame structure to the rear of the North Campus.

Billy Grant Field, named in memory of a former Director of Athletics at V.S.U., and other recreational facilities, are also located on the North Campus.

See the Campus Telephone Directory for locations of all campus offices. See Appendix VII for a campus map.

The University provides bus service to connect the two campuses.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

Academic Administration (See Appendix III for the VSU Organizational Chart)

The President

The President of Valdosta State University is elected by the Board of Regents upon recommendation by the Chancellor. He or she is the executive head of the University and all of its departments and exercises such supervision and direction as will promote the efficient operation of the institution. The President is responsible to the Chancellor for the operation and management of the institution and for the execution of all directives of the Board and the Chancellor. The President recommends to the Board of Regents, through the Chancellor, the election or re-election of the faculty and other employees of the institution, the salary of each, and all promotions and remov­als. The Presi­dent is the chair­person of the Ad­minis­trative Council and an ex-officio mem­ber of the Aca­demic Com­mittee (see Stat­utes, Chapter­ 1, Article III).

General Administrative Officers

The general Administrative Officers of the University are as fol­lows: The Vice President for Academic Affairs; the Vice President for Business and Finance; the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students; the Director of University Rela­tions, who supervises all affairs that relate to the clientele of the University; the Director of Public Services, who supervises the continuing education programs of the University; and the Director of Development, who supervises private fund raising and other developmental activities. General administrative officers report directly to the President at regular intervals concerning activi­ties and programs in their respective areas. These officers are appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Regents, and hold office at the pleasure of the President.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs

The Vice President for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer of the University and is an ex-officio member of the undergradu­ate faculty, graduate faculty, and committees charged with considering matters pertaining to the faculty and the curriculum. The Vice President for Academic Affairs has adminis­trative jurisdiction over academic matters, academic personnel, and student welfare and provides leadership in the development of proper academic goals for the institution and its schools through school and faculty instrumentalities. In the absence of the President, the Vice President is the presiding officer of all bodies over which the President normally presides (see Statutes, Chapter 2, Article II)

Deans

The chief executive officer of each College is the dean. Each dean is an ex-officio member of the University faculty.­ Deans report to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and are responsi­ble for the development and coordination of the programs of their Colleges. With the exception of the Dean of Graduate Studies, deans recommend appointment, reappointment, promotion, tenure, and dismissal of faculty members. They also prepare annual reports and budgets of their Colleges (see Statutes, Chapter 2, Article III).

Department Heads

The head of a department is appointed by the President after consultation with the appropriate faculty, the dean of the College, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The department head, who must be approved by the Board of Regents, is the representative of the department in all official communica­tions and is responsible for the general direction of the work of the department, the quality of instruction, the coordination of instruction, the preparation of a budget, the advisement of students who are majoring in the depart­ment, and recommenda­tions for appointment, promotion, tenure, dismissal and salary increases for faculty (see Statutes Chapter 2, Article VIII).

University Faculty

The University Faculty consists of the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Business and Finance, the Dean of Students, the Registrar, the Director of Admissions, the Director of Develop­ment, and the University Librarian, and librarians, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, and administrative personnel designated by the President. The faculty meets at least once each quarter during the academic year and at other times as may be necessary and desirable. Attendance of all members of the teaching faculty at these meetings is expected.

It is the responsibility of the faculty in each College to establish entrance requirements, define courses of study, establish requirements for degrees offered in the College, provide guidance and advising for the students in the College, and adopt regula­tions to govern its own procedures for the orderly and efficient administration of the school (see Statutes, Article IV, Section I).

The faculty is responsible for regulations affecting academic activities, the general educational policy of the University, the welfare of the faculty, and other matters as may main­tain and promote the best interest of the faculty and of the University. The representa­tive and legislative agency of the faculty is the Faculty Senate.

Policy on Evaluation of Administrators

It is the belief that the purpose of the evaluation is to assist the administrator in determining his/her effectiveness. The Faculty Affairs Committee in collaboration with those whom the evaluations will include and with the assistance of the Office of Institutional Research, shall be responsible for developing instruments used for the evaluation. In addition, the Office of Institutional Research shall be responsible for distributing and collecting evaluations. The timeline for evaluations should parallel administrative evaluations of faculty. Distribution of evaluations to the administrator being evaluated should occur by mid-January with results available by February 15.

Evaluations shall occur at each administrative level as specified below:

a. Department Head: Summary results from faculty members will be reported to the Department Head and to the appropriate Dean.

b. Dean: Summary results from faculty members (including Department Heads) of the College will be reported to the Dean and to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs.

c. Vice-President: Summary results from faculty members (including Deans and Department Heads) will be reported to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and the President.

d. President: Summary results from all evaluations will be reported to the President and to the Chancellor of the Board of Regents.

It is recommended that each administrator share evaluation results with faculty for whom the administrator is responsible.

Non-Academic Administration

Non-Academic Administrative Officers

These officers report directly to the President. The President may establish or create additional non-academic administrative positions to implement the programs of the University; however, some positions are subject to the approval of the Chancellor and the Board of Regents. All non-academic administra­tive officers hold office at the pleasure of the President (see Statutes, Chapter 6, Article I).

The Vice President for Business and Finance

The Vice President for Business and Finance, an ex-officio member of the University Faculty and the Faculty Senate, has responsibility for the coordination and supervision of all matters assigned to the Office of Business and Finance, especially the financial operation of the University (see Statutes, Chapter 6, Article II).

The Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

The Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, an ex-officio member of the General Faculty and the Faculty Senate, has responsi­bili­ty for the coordination and supervision of activities assigned to the Division of Student Affairs. This includes the coordination of all student programs not under the jurisdiction of the President or the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the supervi­sion of all student organizations, meetings, and activities outside of instructional areas (see Statutes, Chapter 6, Article III).

Other Non-Academic Administrators

Other non-academic administrators who report directly to the President are the Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs and Multi-Cultural Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Information Technology, the Director of Development and Assistant to the President for Institutional Advancement, the Director of Institutional Research and Planning, the Director of Grants and Contracts, the Internal Auditor, and the Athletic Director (see Statutes, Chapter 6, Article IV).

Other non-academic administrators who report directly to the Vice President for Business and Finance are the Director of Auxiliary Services, the Director of Financial Services, the Director of Personnel Services, the Director of Business Services, the Director of Plant Operations, and the Director of Public Safety. ­

The Director of Management Information Services reports directly to the Assistant to the President for Information Technology.

Other non-academic administrators who report directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students are the Associate Dean of Students, the Testing Officer, the Director of the Counseling Center, the Director of Career Planning and Placement Center, the Director of Health Services, the Director of Financial Aid and the Director of Residence Life.

Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs and Multi-Cultural Affairs

The Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs and Multi-Cultural Affairs reports to the President of the University. The Assistant is responsible for developing Affirmative Action policy statements and programs, and assists in the identification and solution of problems related to Affirmative Action, Minority Affairs, and Special Services. In addition, the Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs and Multi-Cultural Affairs serves as the University’s liaison with racial minorities, women, veterans, handicapped persons, and other organizations to ensure that all members of protected groups are afforded a full opportunity and are encouraged to participate in all University sponsored educational, training, recreational, and social activities. The Assistant to the President also directs the Minority Peer Advising Program, which is designed to assist minority students in particular with their adjustment to academic and social activities on this predominately majority campus.

Assistant to the President for Information Technology

The Assistant to the President for Information Technology is a senior-level position recently established to provide centralized strategic planning and coordination of campus computing, networking and other related technology activities. The incumbent in this position also plays a key role as the primary interface to the Office of Information Technology, Board of Regents, to insure that VSU receives the priorities and allocation of resources available from that office. On a day-to-day basis the Assistant manages the Information Technology (IT) Division, a major campus organization comprised of three formerly separate computing and communications activities - Microcomputing and Network Services, Management Information System, and Financial Computer Systems. Its mission is to continue all of the services and support those units have been providing to the academic, research and administrative community at VSU but in an integrated manner aimed toward optimizing VSU's scarce resources in order to provide an information technology delivery system that rivals any in the State.

The President’s Cabinet

The President’s Cabinet is advisory to the President on administrative matters pertaining to all operational areas of the University and serves as the administrative strategic planning committee for the University. The Cabinet consists of the President, Vice Presidents, the Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs and Multi-Cultural Affairs, the Director of Development and Assistant to the President for Institutional Advancement, and the Director of Athletics (See Statutes Article X, Sections 1 and 2).

ACADEMIC UNITS OF THE UNIVERSITY

Valdosta State University presently consists of five Colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Adminis­tra­tion, the College of Education, the College of Nursing, the College of the Arts. There are also one School and one Division: the Graduate School and the Division of Aerospace Studies. Developmental Studies is also provided at Valdosta State University. At the undergraduate level, the University offers to all students a general education program through the core curriculum and majors in a wide variety of fields. For a detailed account of the numerous degrees and majors offered, see the undergraduate and graduate Bulletins.

The College of Arts and Sciences

Ten academic departments comprise the College of Arts and Sciences: Biology; Chemistry; English; History; Ma­thema­tics and Computer Science; Modern Foreign Languages; Philoso­phy; Physics, Astron­omy, and Geology; Political Science; and Sociolog­y, Anthro­polo­gy, and Criminal Justice. The College of Arts and Sciences instructs students in the principles of analytical thought and the ski­lls of communi­cation, introduces them to a specialized block of subject matter, and assists them in interrelating the contents of various fields. The faculty of Arts and Sciences takes as its major objective the develop­ment of an intellectual atmosphere that is creative and challenging. It desires that its graduates prize above all the free exchan­ge of ideas under the rules of intellectual integrity.

The College of Business Administration

The College of Business Administration consists of three departments: the Department of Accounting and Finance; the Department of Management and Business Information Systems; and the Department of Marketing and Economics.

The College of Education

The College of Education consists of eight departments: the Department of Vocational Education; the Department of Early Childhood and Reading Education; the Department of Middle Grades Education; the Department of Educational Leadership; the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics; the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Guidance; the Department of Secondary Education; and the Department of Special Education. The College of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs to prepare professional personnel for careers in education. The College and its faculty seek to provide programs and courses of outstanding quality which prepare professionals to hold school positions in instruction, student services, media and i­nstructional technology, administration, and supervision, and to assist in-service teachers in their develop­ment. This pre-service and in-service orientation creates a center for the study of education and the dissemination of educational developments that will improve education.

The College of the Arts

The College of the Arts is organized into three academic departments: Art, Music, and Communication Arts and offers instru­ction in art, music, spee­ch communica­tion, theater, public relations, and radio-television. The emphasis is upon artistic and intellectual development, and the students are expected to share with the faculty the responsibility for this development. Not only are courses designed for students majoring in the arts, but many are appropriate for general and professional education.

The College of Nursing

The emphasis of the College of Nursing is upon the development of the student as a responsible and effective individual who is prepared for the practice of the profession of nursing. Registered nurses seeking a B.S.N. may also be accepted into the program with special arrangements for the completion of the degree.

Graduate Studies

Graduate course work is taught by faculty members serving on the graduate faculty. The purpose of the College is to provide opportunities for the dedicated student who has completed a baccalaureate degree to pursue the mastery of an area of learning and to develop the qualities of scholarship and academic discipline necessary to provide creative contributions to the chosen field of work or interest (see Appendix II for Graduate Faculty Application and Procedures and Evaluation).

The Division of Aerospace Studies

The Division of Aerospace Studies offers a program of study to complement the student’s academic major. The Division offers both a two-year and four-year program which culminates in the student being tendered a commission in the U. S. Air Force upon graduation.

The Division of Social Work

The Director of the Division of Social Work reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The primary goal of the Master of Social Work degree program is to educate students for advanced generalist practice in social work in rural and small communities. A related goal of this program is to provide professionally oriented continuing education for social service workers who are not seeking advanced degrees.

The Office of International Programs

The Office of International Programs provides central coordination for the University's comprehensive range of services and activities in the area of internation­al education. Additional activities are listed in the Section entitled Programs, Organizations and Cultural Opportunities (pp. 100ff).

The Department of Developmental Studies

The Developmental Studies program, implemented throughout the University System of Georgia in 1974-75, is designated to provide students who are under prepared in the basic fundamentals of English language arts, reading, mathematics, or study skills, with a program of special study which enhances their prospects for a successful university experien­ce.

Developmental Studies courses do not carry university level credit toward a degree; however, they do count as institutional credit toward a student's academic load. A Developmental Studies student is not permitted to take any course which has as a prerequisite the knowledge or skills of developmental courses.

Educational, vocational and personal counseling is an integral part of the Developmental Studies program. The instructors, counselors, and tutors serving in the program are especially selected for their sensitivity to students' needs. At Valdosta State University, the Developmental Studies program is headed by the Director of the Learning Skills Laboratory. A listing of the Developmental Studies courses may be found in the Bulletin.

Odum Library

The University Librarian is an ex-officio member of the Faculty and has charge of the administration of the library, its materials, and its programs. Professional members of the library's staff hold faculty rank and the library is considered an academic unit of the Faculty Senate. With the recommendation of the Library Affairs Committee, the University Librarian appropriates budgets to departments and is responsible for the proper administration of those and all library allocations. See also pp. 88-92 of the Faculty Handbook for further information on library policies and procedures.

The Office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar has the primary responsibility of maintaining the academic records of the students and the university and making them available to all other officers of the university. In addition, the Office is responsible for registration, for making grade reports to the students and to their advisors, for maintain­ing and providing transcripts of students' records, for clearing students for graduation, for certifying student enrollment, and for veterans affairs. Subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act, the Office of the Registrar attempts to provide all information needed by the faculty to assist in their work with students.

The Office of Admissions

The Office of Admissions has the primary responsibility for recruiting prospective students for the University, and for receiving and processing all admission and readmission requests.

FACULTY GOVERNANCE

The Faculty Senate

The Senate is the representative, deliberative, advisory, and legislative body of the University Faculty. Subject to the approval of the President, the recommendations of the Faculty Senate become the official policy of the University to be implemented by the administra­tion. It is the body to which the Statutory, Standing, and Special Committees of the Senate report.

Membership in the Faculty Senate includes elected faculty and designated administrators. The administrators included as the ex-officio members of the Faculty Senate are the President, the Vice Presidents, the academic Deans, and the University Librarian. The President of the Student Government Association and one other student are also ex-officio members of the Faculty Senate.

Senators are elected by the General Faculty of the various colleges, together with the faculties of Odum Library and Develop­mental Studies. The ratio of elected Senators to ex-officio Senators is four to one. The Senatorial seats are assigned by the Committee on Committees, according to the number of full-time faculty in a unit.

The officers of the Senate include the President of the University, who serves as Chairperson of the Senate, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who is Vice Chairper­son, and the Executive Secretary, who is a faculty member elected annually by the Senate and confirmed by the General Faculty. The Senate Executive Committee consists of the officers of the Senate and the chairpersons of the Statutory Committees.

Committees of the Faculty Senate

In addition to the Senate Executive Committee, the Faculty Senate structure includes three further categories of committees: Statutory Committees, Standing Committees, and Special Committees. They act for the Senate and are responsible to the Senate. The Grievance Committee carries out its statutory responsibilities under procedures approved by the Senate. The membership and responsibilities of the Statutory Committees are given in the Statutes, Chapter 4, Article VI, Section 5. The membership and responsibilities of the Standing Committees are given in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, Article VII, Section 6. Membership on Statutory and Standing Committees, unless otherwise stated, is for three years.

Statutory Committees

The five Statutory Committees are listed below. The Chapter, Article, and Section notations refer to the Statutes of the University.

Committee on Committees (Chapter 4, Article VI, Section 5a)

Academic Committee (Chapter 4, Article VI, Section 5b)

Institutional Planning Committee (Chapter 4, Article VI, Section 5d)

Faculty Affairs Committee (Chapter 4, Article VI, Section 5e)

Faculty Grievance Committee (Chapter 4, Article VI, Section 5c)

Standing Committees

Standing committees of the Senate are created by the Senate and assigned responsibility for specific areas of concern. The size and composi­tion of all Standing Committees, as well as tenure and method of selection of membership, are set forth in the Senate By-laws. Unless otherwise specified in the Statutes or Senate By-laws, membership on Standing Committees is available to anyone on the General Faculty and may include professional staff, classified personnel, and students.

The tenure of a Standing Committee is for no more than three years, at which time the Senate shall renew, modify, or discontinue the commit­tee.

Special Committees

Special Committees are created by the Senate for the purpose of dealing with specific and timely matters that do not fall within the jurisdic­tion of an existing Statutory or Standing Committee. Normally, Special Committees will have a tenure of no more than one year.

The Faculty Grievance Committee

The Faculty Grievance Committee is a part of the appeals process of the University on matters relating to due process. Eight members are selected by the General Faculty, one by each College and one by the faculties of the School of Social Work, Odum Library, and Developmental Studies. They serve only when notifica­tion of a grievance is given.

Grievance Procedures

These procedures for processing a faculty grievance were developed by the committee which prepared the ByLaws of the Faculty Senate, and were adopted, as amended, by the Faculty Senate at its meeting of April 23, 1992. (Amended by Faculty Senate, April 22, l993; March 24, l994; May 25, 1995; November 2, 1995.)

A. Scope

The Faculty Grievance Committee has authority to conduct inquiries into grievances by faculty who have exhausted the Universit­y's appellate channels from the department, to the college or divi­sion, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs; to attempt the resolution of those grievances by mediation; and to present to the President its recommenda­tions for appro­priate response to the grievances it has considered.

B. Initiating a Grievance

l. A faculty member should attempt to resolve a grievance by discussing the matter with

a. the Department Head;

b. the Dean of the College;

c. the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

A faculty member has the right to bring a chosen ob­server to these meetings.

2. If efforts at resolution fail after the faculty member discusses the matter with the Department Head, the Dean, and the Vice President, the faculty member may seek advice informally with a member of the Faculty Griev­ance Commit­tee or initiate one of the following formal procedures. The faculty member who does not follow one of the following formal procedures places his or her right to a hearing by the Faculty Grievance Committee at risk.

a. The faculty member may appeal to the elected Faculty Griev­ance Com­mittee after attempting to resolve a grievance by discussing the matter with the Department Head, the Dean of the College, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. (See Chapter 4, Article VI, of the Statutes for details of election and composition of the Faculty Grievance Committee.)

OR

b. The faculty member may appeal to the President. Such appeal must be in writing. If efforts at resolution fail after the faculty member appeals the matter to the President and receives a final decision, the faculty member may appeal to the Board of Regents.(See Board of Regents Bylaws, 03/02/93, "Appeals," pp. 21-22.)

The President is understood to have made a final decision when that decision is put in writing.

C. Appealing to the Faculty Grievance Committee

1. If a faculty member chooses route B2a above, then the petitioner will send to the Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee a written request for a hearing, stating the particulars of the grievance. Copies are to be sent to the other parties involved in the grievance.

2. The Chairperson will convene the entire Faculty Grievance Committee for a plenary session within seven days of receiving a written request for a hearing.

3. The petitioner will be invited to appear in person at the plenary session and the Faculty Grievance Committee will then decide, based on the written request for a hearing, whether or not to hear the particular grievance.

a. If the Faculty Grievance Committee decides not to hear the grievance, the Chairperson will notify the President and all parties involved within seven days of the decision not to proceed with a hearing.

OR

b. If the Faculty Grievance Committee does decide to hear the grievance, the Chairperson will notify the petitioner and all involved parties within seven working days of the Committee's decision that the Committee will form a Hearing Panel. The petitioner may at any time waive the right to a Hearing Panel. In this case the Faculty Grievance Committee will evaluate all available evidence and the Chairperson will send its recommendations to the President and all parties to the grievance within seven working days of its completed evaluation.

D. The Formation of a Hearing Panel

l. Two members and a first and a second alternate from the Faculty Grievance Committee are to be chosen by the petitioner, and two members and a first and a second alternate are to be chosen by the other party to the grievance. The names of these nominees will be sent to the Chairperson of the Committee within two working days of the notice of a Hearing. Members so chosen may recuse themselves because of conflicts of interest, in which case the replacement(s) are to be chosen in the same manner as the recusants(s). One member from the Faculty Grievance Committee will be chosen by the four selected members to complete the five-member Hearing Panel.

2. The Chairperson of the Hearing Panel is chosen by its five members.

3. The Chairperson of the Hearing Panel will notify all parties to the grievance of the membership of the Hearing Panel.

E. The Procedure of a Hearing Panel

l. Written notice of the hearing, listing the specific charges and the date of the hearing, will be sent by the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel to all parties involved, no more than ten working days after the formation of the panel and at least seven days prior to the hearing.

2. The hearing must be convened within fifteen working days of the date of the written notice of the hearing unless both parties to the grievance and the Hearing Panel determine that there are substantive reasons for delay. The Hearing Panel will be the final adjudicator in granting or denying a delay.

3. During the proceedings, any party to the grievance is permitted to have present one personal and one professional adviser.

4. Within seven working days of the date of the written notice of the Hearing, each party to the grievance must provide the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel with a complete list of counsel, faculty adviser, and expected witnesses. The Chairperson of the Hearing Panel will communicate this information to each party of the grievance. Additional witnesses must be approved by the Hearing Panel.

5. The Hearing Panel has the right to choose a faculty advisor and/or legal counsel for its benefit. The cost for the counsel will be borne by the institution.

6. The Hearing Panel, in consultation with all par­ties, will decide whether the hearing shall be public or private.

7. The Hearing Panel will accept no substantive information from any party prior to the hear­ing except the written request presented to the full Faculty Grievance Committee stating the particulars of the grievance.

8. A tape recording and an official transcript of the proceedings are to be made with the exception that an official transcript may be waived upon agreement of both parties to the grievance. The Hearing Panel is the final authority in this decision. On request, copies of the tape recording and/or official transcript are to be made avail­able to all par­ties to the grievance. The cost of recording, transcrip­tion, and one copy thereof for each side of the grievance will be borne by the institution. Costs for additional copy(is) will be borne by the party requesting the additional copy(is).

9. The Hearing Panel may grant adjournments to enable any of the parties to investigate newly presented evidence.

10. All parties shall be afforded the opportunity to obtain necessary witnesses, documents, or any other evidence. The grievant should expect reasonable cooperation from the institution in this respect. Each party has the right to reasonable discovery as it relates to witnesses and documentation.

11. All parties will have the right to confront and cross-examine all witnesses. Where the witness cannot appear, the Hearing Panel may by affidavit record the sworn statement of the witness, and, if possi­ble, provide interrogatories.

12. In the hearing of charges of incompetence against a faculty member, testimony may include that of qualified peers. The burden of proof that adequate cause exists rests with the institution.

13. The Hearing Panel will not be bound by formal rules of legal evidence. However, every possible effort will be made by the Hearing Panel to obtain the most reliable evidence, and to distinguish fact from mere hearsay. The Hearing Panel, with the advice of counsel when appropriate, is the final authority on the admissibility and reliability of evidence.

14. The recommendation of the Hearing Panel is to be based solely on the presented oral and written record. At any time prior to the formal conclusion of the proceedings, the Hearing Panel may seek a satisfactory settlement agree­able to both parties. The Hearing Panel may designate a faculty member not involved in the hearing to serve as a mediator between the parties to the grievance to seek a satisfactory settlement agreeable to both parties. These attempts are permitted until the hearing is closed.

15. Within fifteen working days of the close of the hearing, the Hearing Panel must prepare a written recommendation which the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel will send to the Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee and to the President. Copies of this recommendation are sent to all parties to the grievance.

16. With the submission of the Hearing Panel's recommendations to all parties to the grievance, the Hearing Panel is discharged.

17. Within thirty working days of receipt of the Hearing Panel's recommendation, the President will officially inform the Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee and all parties involved in the grievance regarding actions taken in response to the Hearing Panel's recommendation. The Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee will notify the members of the Hearing Panel of those actions.

18. Appeals in response to the President's action by the involved parties will be filed in writ­ing with the Executive Secretary of the Board of Regents. The filing of an appeal must transpire within ten days of receipt of notice of the President's actions.

19. The Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee will be the custodian of the evidence presented in the hearing. The Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee will retain this evidence in a secure fashion for one year from the date of the Hearing Panel's written recommendation, after which the Chairperson will destroy all the evidence. The cost of securing the evidence shall be borne by the Faculty Senate.

20. Within ten working days after the President has officially informed the Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee regarding actions taken (see E17), the recommendations of the Hearing Panel and the official response will be made available under the provisions of the Georgia Open Records Act.

21. Within ten working days after the President has officially informed the Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee regarding actions taken, the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel will send the recording and/or transcript of the hearing to the Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee. The Chairperson of the Faculty Grievance Committee will be the custodian of the recording and/or transcript of the hearing. The costs for maintaining these records shall be borne by the Faculty Senate.

FACULTY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Freedom

The following statement regarding Academic Freedom is included in the Statutes of Valdosta State University, revised December 11, 1991.

Section 1. Teachers¹ are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.

Section 2. Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject.

Section 3. Teachers are citizens, members of a learned profession, and officers of an educational institution. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.

_________________________

¹The word “teacher” as used in this document is understood to include the investigator who is attached to an academic institution without teaching duties (See Statutes, Chapter 3, Article VI).

Academic Programs: Board of Regents Statement

Academic programs of the University System of Georgia are administered under broad Board policies which grant considerable authority and responsibility to the presidents and faculty of the System institutions. The Board of Regents’ Policy Manual states the general policy, in part, as follows:

The Board of Regents shall rely on the Chancellor, the presidents of the several institutions in the System, and their deans and faculties to develop, adapt, and administer the academic methods and procedures deemed by them to be most effective in promoting efficiency of operations and most appropriate to the advancement of learning.

The Board of Regents shall expect of each president, the faculty and staff, the deans and the faculties of each institution in the System efficient service measured by approved academic standards, and shall look to them to promote effective higher education, having in view resources available to them, and, in the discharge of its duties as a Board, must hold them responsible for a failure to achieve these results. The Board is of the opinion that it would not be reasonable to make academic authorities in the System accountable for results obtained and at the same time deny them the power to choose ways and means they believe to be best adapted to achieve the ends desired. (Board of Regents’ Policy Manual, Section 301).

Professional Standards: An Academic Code of Professional Ethics

The following Academic Code of Professional Ethics was adopted by the General Faculty on April 29, 1991. Editorial changes have been made wherever necessary to reflect alterations of institution­al structure and nomenclature mandated by the revised Statutes of the University and Bylaws of the Faculty Senate.

AN ACADEMIC CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

1.0 The Ethics of Adopting an Academic Code of Professional Ethics

1.1 The purpose of a code of professional ethics, academic or otherwise, is to provide a uniformly respected incentive to the appropri