Regulations and Policies
Student Education Records
The University of Georgia guarantees any student, regardless of age, who is or has been in attendance at the University the right of access to inspect and review all official records, files, documents, and other materials created during the period of enrollment that relate directly to him or her, subject only to certain specific exceptions. Each student is guaranteed an opportunity to challenge the accuracy of information contained in any file or record to which he or she may have access, including the right to a hearing if so requested.
With limited exceptions, including “directory information,” no personally identifiable information from the education records of a student will be disclosed to any third party by an official or employee of the University without the written consent of the student or as otherwise required by law. “Directory Information” includes the student’s name, address, telephone listing, email address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. Students have the right to prohibit the release of “directory information” pertaining to themselves by advising the Registrar in writing.
Each student also has the right to file a complaint directly with the United States Department of Education whenever the student believes that the rights afforded him or her by the university policy or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act have been violated.
Copies of the complete University Policy Statement on Student Education Records may be obtained at the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Judicial Programs, and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Degree Withheld
The University reserves the right to withhold the degree of a student who has completed all academic requirements but who has a case of a major violation pending in the Office of Judicial Programs or an academic honesty issue pending in the Office of the Vice President for Instruction.
Records Withheld
In holding up a student’s record the University may deny him or her the privilege of registering for a subsequent semester, of securing a transcript, or of graduating.
A student’s records may be withheld for non-payment of University bills. Records can be released only by written request from the office that has check-listed them. Records are check-listed only after a student has failed to respond to repeated written notices that he or she has an unpaid obligation that must be settled by a specified date.
Students are expected to answer promptly all communications received from University offices. Failure to respond to repeated written notices will result in the withholding of the student’s records.
Under certain circumstances a student may not register for a subsequent semester until he or she presents to the Registrar evidence of having satisfied specific admissions or readmissions requirements. In these instances students are advised of the specific requirements to be met and from which office the necessary clearance may be obtained.
Withdrawal from The University
A student against whom disciplinary charges are pending will not be permitted to withdraw from the University with a clear record until such charges shall have been resolved.