The Multifaceted Role of the Dean of Students at Georgia Tech

The Dean of Students position at Georgia Tech is a critical one, encompassing a wide array of responsibilities that touch on nearly every aspect of student life, academic integrity, and community well-being. This role requires a dynamic individual capable of balancing leadership, advocacy, and administrative oversight to foster an environment conducive to academic excellence and personal growth. The Dean of Students is an advocate for students, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met, while also upholding the standards of conduct and academic integrity expected of all members of the Georgia Tech community.

Academic Governance and Curriculum Committees

The Dean of Students plays a role in academic governance through participation in curriculum committees. These committees are essential for shaping the educational experience at Georgia Tech, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant, rigorous, and responsive to the evolving needs of students and the demands of the professional world.

Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee

The Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (IUCC) focuses on all matters related to undergraduate education. The Dean of Students, along with the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education and the Associate Provost for Academic Effectiveness, represents the Administration on this committee. The IUCC is composed of representatives of the Administration, the Academic Faculty, and the Students. The Registrar serves as the Secretary.

The IUCC's responsibilities include:

Recommending undergraduate degree requirements and proposing changes to curricula.
Evaluating proposals for new undergraduate courses and degree programs.
Recommending guidelines for student petitions related to course substitutions and grade corrections.
Ruling on student appeals for exceptions to academic rules and regulations.
Reviewing new instructional methods and techniques.
Reviewing proposals for deactivation or reinstatement of undergraduate degree programs.

Institute Graduate Curriculum Committee

The Institute Graduate Curriculum Committee (IGCC) mirrors the IUCC but focuses on graduate-level education. The Administration is represented by the Vice-Provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Affairs and the Associate Provost for Academic Effectiveness, with the Registrar as Secretary. The IGCC is composed of representatives of the Administration, the Academic Faculty, and the Students.

The IGCC's duties include:

Recommending minimum requirements for graduate degrees and proposing changes to graduate curricula.
Evaluating proposals for new graduate courses and degree programs.
Establishing guidelines for research activities within graduate programs.
Ruling on student appeals for exceptions to academic rules and regulations.
Developing policies for graduate admissions, candidacy, and degree awarding.
Determining which undergraduate courses can be accepted for graduate credit.
Developing policy for faculty qualifications for teaching graduate courses and directing thesis research.
Developing policy for awarding graduate fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships.
Reviewing proposals for deactivation or reinstatement of graduate degree programs.

Administrative Unit and Multi-disciplinary Academic Unit Curricular Matters Subcommittee

The Administrative Unit and Multi-disciplinary Academic Unit Curricular Matters (AMCM) Subcommittee, established in 2023, addresses curricular matters from administrative units and multidisciplinary academic units.

The AMCM Subcommittee evaluates and recommends proposals, primarily for new courses, from administrative/non-academic units such as Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP); the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL); Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS); and the Office of International Education (OIE), to the IUCC or the IGCC. It also evaluates proposals involving course subject codes using the GT prefix, and addresses curricular matters related to these subject codes. The Subcommittee handles curricular matters such as microcredentials, badges, and certificates. It works with the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, and the Registrar’s Office.

The Subcommittee votes on proposals and makes recommendations to the IUCC and IGCC. If approved at the IUCC/IGCC level, the proposal must be approved by the Academic Faculty Senate.

Student Conduct and Community Standards

The Dean of Students plays a central role in maintaining community standards and addressing student conduct issues. This involves educating students about the Institute's expectations, enforcing the Student Code of Conduct, and providing support and resources to students navigating disciplinary processes.

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Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct (the “Code”) outlines the expectations for student behavior and the procedures for addressing violations. The Code applies to all Georgia Tech Students, Registered Student Organizations, and Groups. The Dean of Students has a significant role in interpreting and applying the Code.

Key aspects of the Student Code of Conduct include:

General Provisions: The Code educates the Georgia Tech Community about the Institute’s expectations and Students’ rights. The Institute has the authority to enforce its policies and procedures. The Code is not a criminal statute. Students may be charged under multiple sections of the Code. Students may be held accountable to civil or criminal authorities and the Institute. Proceedings under the Code may occur before, during, or after civil or criminal proceedings.
Jurisdiction: The Institute addresses student conduct on Institute property, at Institute-sponsored or affiliated events, or that violates Institute policies. Academic misconduct is addressed regardless of where it occurred. Non-academic misconduct is addressed when it occurs on Institute Premises; at Institute-sponsored activities; at Student Group or Organization Activities; online or through an electronic medium; or off Institute Premises when conduct adversely affects the Institute and/or the pursuit of its objectives.
Inappropriate Classroom Behavior: Instructors manage the classroom environment. The Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students administers longer suspensions from a class.
Registered Student Organization Discipline: Registered Student Organizations are subject to the Code.

Definitions within the Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct includes specific definitions for terms used within the document to ensure clarity and consistent interpretation. These definitions are crucial for understanding the rights and responsibilities of students, faculty, and staff involved in the conduct process. Here are some key definitions:

Administrative Conference: A meeting between the Respondent and the Student Conduct Administrator and/or Investigator at the start of the Conduct Process.
Administrative Resolution: A decision by a Student Conduct Administrator on whether the Respondent is responsible for the alleged violation.
Advisor: An individual chosen by the Respondent or Complainant to assist with the Conduct Process. The Advisor may provide advice and counsel but shall not participate directly during the investigation and/or resolution process unless it is a Title IX proceeding.
Appellate Officer: The person authorized by the Institute to consider an appeal of a disciplinary decision.
Business Day: Any day in which the Institute is open for its full hours of operation.
Chair: A member of a Student Conduct Panel who oversees the proceedings during a hearing.
Complainant: An individual who is alleged to be a victim of conduct that would violate any Board of Regents or other applicable Institute policy, including but not limited to, the Code.
Community: Includes any Student, Staff, Faculty Member, Institute Official, Affiliate, or any other person employed by the Institute.
Conduct Process: The process that begins upon receipt of complaint, to include, the Administrative Conference, the investigation of misconduct allegations, and all other meetings and proceedings of the investigatory and/or resolution process.
Faculty Member: Any person hired by the Institute to conduct classroom, teaching, or research activities or who is otherwise considered by the Institute to be a member of its Faculty.
Group: Persons who are associated with each other, but who have not complied with Institute requirements for chartering or annual registration as a Registered Student Organization.
Group or Organization Activity: Any activity on or off Institute Premises that is directly initiated for, or supervised by a Group or Registered Student Organization.
Information: Any Witness testimony, documents, statements, or tangible material presented to an Investigator, Student Conduct Administrator, or Student Conduct Panel.
Institute and Georgia Tech: Each refer to the Georgia Institute of Technology, its respective campuses, and all of its undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, divisions, and programs.
Institute Official: Defined as Faculty Members, administration, or staff, including students serving as Institute employees, who are acting on behalf of the Institute.
Institute Premises: Includes all land buildings, facilities, grounds, utilities, resources, and other property in the possession of, or owned, operated, leased, controlled, or supervised by the Institute.
Investigator: A person or entity charged with reviewing allegations of misconduct.
May: Used in the permissive sense.
Office of Student Integrity or OSI: The office designated by the Institute to oversee the Code.
Policy or Policies: Any written rule or regulation of the Institute, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
Preponderance of the Evidence: The standard of review used in determining responsibility and means whether a Respondent is more likely than not to be in violation of the Code.
President: The Institute's President or their designee.
Registered Student Organization or RSO: Means persons who have complied with or are in the process of complying with, the Institute requirements for chartering or annual registration requirements pursuant to the Registered Student Organizations Policy.
Respondent: A Student, Group, or RSO who is alleged to be in violation of the Code. The individual designated as the highest-ranking member of the Group or RSO shall represent the Group or RSO as the Respondent.
Sanction and Supplementary Requirements: The conditions imposed upon a Respondent found responsible for a violation of the Code.
School/Student Organization: An organization in which two or more of the members are enrolled students or alumni, including local affiliate organizations, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
Student: Any person who is taking or auditing classes of the Institute, either full-time or part-time; is participating in academic programs; or is pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies.
Student Conduct Administrator: An Institute Official as authorized by the Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students to lead the Administrative Conference, recommend violations based on an investigation of alleged misconduct, or impose Sanctions upon any Student(s) found to have violated the Code.
Student Conduct Panel: A set of persons authorized by the Institute to determine whether the Respondent has violated the Code.
System Director: Refers the University System of Georgia’s System Director of Equity & Investigations.
Substantial Evidence: Means evidence a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
Weapon: Means any object or substance designed, intended, or used to inflict or threaten bodily injury.
Will and shall: Are used in the imperative sense.
Witness: Defined as a person providing information during the Conduct Process.

Prohibited Non-Academic Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct outlines specific behaviors that are considered violations of non-academic conduct. Any Student, Group, or RSO accused of committing or attempting to commit one or more acts of non-academic misconduct is subject to the Conduct Process. Examples of prohibited non-academic conduct include:

Alcohol violations:
- Underage use or possession of alcohol.
- Possession or consumption of alcohol in an unauthorized area.
- Use or possession of fake identification.
- Distribution of alcohol to underage person(s).
- Behavior while under the influence of alcohol that endangers any person.
- Disorderly conduct associated with the use of alcoholic beverages.
Illegal drugs and other substance violations:
- Use or possession of illegal drugs (without valid medical or dental prescription).
- Behavior while under the influence of illegal drugs that endangers any person.
- Manufacturing, furnishing, selling, or distributing any narcotic or dangerous drug controlled by law.
- Disorderly conduct associated with the use of illegal drugs.
Unjustifiably pushing, striking, or otherwise intentionally causing reasonable apprehension of such harm to any person.
Disorderly conduct:
- Boisterousness, rowdiness, obscene, or indecent conduct or appearance.
- Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, or other Institute activities.
- Breach of the peace.
Behavior that endangers any person(s), including self.
Unauthorized use of Institute Premises:
- Unauthorized entry into any Institute Premises or remaining without permission in any building after normal closing hours.
- Possessing, using, making, or causing to be made any key or other means of access to any Institute Premises without proper authorization.
Furnishing false information to any Institute Official.
Forgery, alteration, replication, or misuse of any document, record, or identification upon which the Institute relies, regardless of the medium.
Hazing.

The College of Sciences and its Dean

While the Dean of Students focuses on student life and conduct, the Dean of each College, such as the College of Sciences, has distinct responsibilities related to the academic and research mission of their respective college. Although distinct from the Dean of Students, understanding the role of a College Dean provides context to the overall academic environment at Georgia Tech.

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The College of Sciences comprises the Schools of Applied Physiology, Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology, and the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC).

The Dean of the College of Sciences is responsible for:

Leadership and Strategic Planning: Directing and overseeing the programs of the College and developing its strategic directions in alignment with the Georgia Tech Strategic Plan, ensuring the excellence of the College faculty and their teaching and research programs.
Faculty Appointments: Recruiting, appointing, reappointing, promoting, and tenuring faculty.
Budgetary and Administrative Oversight: Managing the College's budget, supervising school chairs, associate/assistant deans and staff, and facilitating extramurally funded research.
Stewardship and Development: Representing the College to external constituents and articulating its philanthropic aspirations.
Multidisciplinary Partnerships: Managing the College’s engagement in cross-campus, multidisciplinary partnerships.

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