Glossary
POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES
Policy: A written statement (rule or principle) used to govern the actions of Georgia State University’s employees, faculty, students, visitors, and others who come in contact with Georgia State University. For the purposes of this document, academic policies are those pertaining to scholarly programs (e.g., program degree requirements), or the students’ progress through those programs (e.g., program prerequisites, financial aid, registration). Non-academic policies are those pertaining to functions that only indirectly support the students’ academic endeavors (such as housing, recreation, or parking).
University-Level Student Policies: Policies established under the authority of the university and applied to all students in all colleges. These policies are implemented and enforced by central academic or administrative offices (for example, the Registrar’s Office, the Student Financial Aid Office, or the University Library).
College-Level Student Policies: Policies established under the authority of a college and applied to all students enrolled in courses or programs offered by that college: Andrew Young School of Policy Studies; College of Arts and Sciences; College of Education; College of Health and Human Sciences; College of Law; Robinson College of Business.
Procedure: A guideline that explains how policies are to be carried out or implemented; may or may not be in writing
Practice: A commonly accepted way or pattern of doing things; typically not in writing.
ARBITRARY, DISCRIMINATORY, INEQUITABLE
Arbitrary: In an unreasonable or capricious manner, in disregard of facts, or without determining principle.
Discriminatory: In a manner that is unfair or denies privileges to persons because of their race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
Inequitable: In a manner that fails to treat similarly situated persons the same way.
COMPLAINTS , PETITIONS and APPEALS
Complaint: An objection to a decision, action or practice with a request that it be changed or reversed; a claim seeking remedy, relief, or resolution. Complaints may be against a decision or action that was based on either University-level or College-level policy.
Petition for Waiver or Variance: A request for a suspension ( waiver ) or modification (variance) of a particular policy which, if applied normally, would cause undue hardship for the individual
Waiver: An agreement that suspends a particular policy for an individual in a specific situation due to the special circumstances of that individual . ( When a waiver (o r suspension) of a policy is granted, the individual does not have to comply with some or all of the particular requirements set within that policy )
Variance: An agreement that modifies a particular policy for an individual in a specific situation due to the special circumstances of that individual . ( When a variance (modification) of a policy is granted, the individual must comply only with the modified requirements . )
Appeal: A request that a decision on a complaint or petition be reconsidered at a higher level in the University.
PEOPLE
Academic Administrator: The head of a centralized university office or department that has responsibility for academic-related student processes (such as the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Admissions, the Student Financial Aid Office, the Office of Student Accounts, the Student Advisement Center); typically reports through an Associate Provost .
Administrator in Charge: The head of a University office with responsibility for non-academic student processes (such as the Housing Office, the Office of Parking and Transportation, the Bookstore); typically reports through a Vice President.