2.1 East Georgia College Mission Statement

The East Georgia College Mission Statement as approved by the Board of Regents on July 9, 1997, is as follows:

MISSION STATEMENT

East Georgia College, a fully accredited two-year college of the University System of Georgia, provides a wide range of credit and non-credit academic programs in an atmosphere contributing to intellectual and cultural growth. Located in Swainsboro, the College serves a fourteen-county rural region that has an economic mix of agriculture and manufacturing. The 207-acre campus, opened in 1973, provides all of the intellectual and physical resources necessary to maintain a high quality general education opportunity. Although most students commute to the campus, the College extends its mission through the East Georgia College Center at Statesboro, the Liberty County Center, and through the cooperative Associate of Applied Science programs with neighboring technical institutes. East Georgia College is committed to a positive and growing impact on its constituency--an impact that will:

• demystify the college experience among those for whom higher education has not been a part of their experience;

• increase college participation among those who otherwise would not have the opportunity;

• foster increased intellectual aspiration and attainment among all.

In addition, the College enthusiastically meets the needs of a developing economy through its fourteen county region. In these endeavors, the College seeks to sustain and enhance its tradition of excellence.

East Georgia College shares with other institutions in the University System of Georgia the following characteristics:

• a supportive campus climate, necessary services, and leadership and development opportunities, all to educate the whole person and meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff;

• cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity in the faculty, staff, and student body, supported by practices and programs that embody the ideals of an open, democratic, and global society;

• technology to advance educational purposes, including instructional technology, student support services, and distance education;

• collaborative relationships with other System institutions, state agencies, local schools and technical institutes, and business and industry, sharing physical, human, information, and other resources to expand and enhance programs and services available to the citizens of Georgia.

East Georgia College shares with other two-year colleges in the University System the following characteristics:

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

• a commitment to a teaching/learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom, that sustains instructional excellence, functions to provide University System access for a diverse student body, and promotes high levels of student learning;

• a high quality general education program that supports a variety of well-chosen associate programs and prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate programs, learning support programs designed to insure access and opportunity for a diverse student body, and a limited number of certificate programs to complement neighboring technical institute 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 college's scope of influence;

• a commitment to scholarship and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and meet local needs.

East Georgia College is known for its strong academic standards, its dedicated and skillful faculty, and its commitment to quality improvement through a college-wide comprehensive assessment process. East Georgia College, proud of its role as a learning resource for the people of rural east central Georgia, seeks to build upon its strength and to justify recognition as one of the most student-oriented, community-centered, and academically respected institutions of its kind.

2.2 Educational Assumptions or Objectives

East Georgia College’s institutional goals and priorities and those of the divisions, departments, and offices are based on several premises:

• That the faculty and staff of East Georgia College value excellence;

• That we value integrity in the conduct of all activities;

• That we value sensitivity to our community;

• That we value dedication to success; and

• That, above all, we value people as our most important resource.

                         -- (Strategic Plan, p. 3)

General education at East Georgia College strengthens the students’ foundation of general knowledge and skills important for success in the 21^st century. It fosters continued acquisition of information, individual patterns of behavior, and intellectual inquiry. General education nurtures thinking critically, engaging in active learning, and understanding the environment in which the students reside. In particular it includes educational and cultural experiences that enrich the students’ lives and provides opportunities for individuals to explore interests and develop aptitudes. 

2.3 Organization of the College 

To accomplish the institution’s goals and objectives, East Georgia College is organized into eight major areas of responsibility under the supervision of the President (who is directly responsible to the Chancellor of the University System), and under the leadership of the following administrators:

1. The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

2. The Vice President for Fiscal Affairs

3. The Director of Computer Services and Instructional Technology

4. The Head Librarian

5. The Director of Enrollment Services/Registrar

6. The Director of Public Information

7. The Director of GREDC/LEADS

8. The Director of Recruitment and Alumni Relations

The administrative officers are responsible to the President for administering their particular area of responsibility. The specific duties of each administrative officer are described in detail in the East Georgia College Statutes.

The instructional divisions are organized as follows:

• The Math/Science Division

• The Social Science Division

• The Humanities Division

• The Learning Support Division

2.4 Academic Calendar

The academic calendar XE "Calendar:Academic" is maintained by the Office of the Registrar. A copy of the calendar can be found on the EGC website.

2.5 Re-affirmation of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policies

It continues to be the policy of East Georgia College that no person shall, on the ground of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, or disability be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by East Georgia College. Affirmative action shall be taken to ensure fulfillment of this policy including, but not limited to, the following personnel actions:

• Recruitment, enrollment and educational practices of students

• Hiring, placement, upgrading, transfer or promotion

• Treatment during employment

• Recruitment, advertisement or solicitation for employment

• Rates of pay or other forms of compensation

• Selection for training or development opportunities

• Layoff or termination of employment

• Fringe Benefits

The policy of East Georgia College is consistent with the requirements and objectives of Executive Order 11246, as amended, Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1974, as amended (#38 USC 2012), and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and their implementing regulations. It is the college’s objective to obtain, without discrimination, individuals qualified and/or trainable for positions by virtue of job related standards of education, prior training or work experience, or personal qualifications.

Responsibility for ensuring compliance and continued affirmative implementation of the policy is assigned to the vice president for fiscal affairs who is the Affirmation Action Officer for the institution. A copy of the East Georgia College Affirmative Action Plan is available for inspection by any employee, perspective employee, student or prospective student in the Office of the Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and the East Georgia College Library between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday excluding official college holidays.

2.6 Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. Employees or potential employees may self-identify any qualified disability as defined under ADA for which assistance is needed in carrying out their assigned duties. Individuals with disabilities are defined under ADA as persons who have or are regarded as having a record of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. East Georgia College will make every effort possible to accommodate any employee or potential employee needing assistance within the definitions of the law.

2.7 Harassment 

It is the policy of East Georgia College that all employees shall have the opportunity to work in an atmosphere and environment free from any form of harassment or retaliation based on race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Such forms of harassment or retaliation constitute discrimination under various state and federal laws and will not be tolerated by the college.

General

Harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward individuals because of their race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age or disability or that of their relatives, friends, or associates, and that:

• has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment; or

• has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance; or

• otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment opportunities.

Examples of harassing conduct include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts that relate to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, or disability

• Written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, or disability and that is placed on walls, bulletin boards, or elsewhere on college premises or circulated in the workplace

Sexual

• Making acceptance of unwelcome sexual advances or requests, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature a condition of employment

• Making submission to or rejection of such conduct the basis for employment decisions such as raises or promotions

• Creating an intimidating, offensive, or hostile work environment by such conduct

The following are examples of sexual harassment:

• Verbal: sexual innuendo, suggestive comments, insults, threats, jokes about gender-specific traits or sexual propositions

• Non-verbal: suggestive or insulting noises, leering, whistling, or obscene gestures

• Physical: touching, pinching, brushing the body, coercing sexual intercourse, or assault

Employees who feel that they have suffered any form of harassment or retaliation must immediately report the alleged conduct to their supervisor or department head so that a confidential investigation of the complaint can be undertaken. Alternatively, the employee may report the alleged conduct to the vice president for fiscal affairs/affirmative action officer. Further, any employee who observes conduct by another employee which he or she believes to be harassing, retaliatory, or discriminatory must report such conduct as outlined above. All complaints of harassment will be treated confidentially and will be investigated promptly and thoroughly.

Any individual found by the college to have harassed another employee will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action ranging from documented warnings to termination. Retaliation or discrimination against an employee for reporting or complaining about harassment is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

However, employees should realize that false accusations of harassment can have serious effects on innocent individuals. Making accusations which are known by the accusing person to be false is a form of misconduct which will likely result in serious impairment of the college’s efforts to administer this policy properly and effectively for all employees. Accordingly, such misconduct will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Please refer to the East Georgia College Sexual Harassment Plan contained in the Faculty Handbook and also contained in the appendices to this publication.

It is our belief that all college employees will continue to act in a responsible and professional manner to establish a pleasant environment free of discrimination and harassment.

2.8 Drug-Free Workplace

East Georgia College has a clear responsibility to our students and their parents, and also to our employees. This involves providing the very best academic atmosphere for the students and a drug-free working environment for all employees.

Any element which may hinder the efforts to carry out these responsibilities cannot be tolerated. Employees involved with drugs pose such a hindrance. Therefore, employees should realize that drug-related convictions could lead to termination of employment.

East Georgia College abides by the terms and provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and has adopted the following as its drug-free workplace policy:

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

It is unlawful for any employee of East Georgia College to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance on any property of this institution.

Effective March 18, 1989, every institution receiving federal funds for grants, regardless of value, must comply with the substantial requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act, or suffer the penalty or suspension or termination of the contract or grant, and debarment from receiving federal grants or contracts for as long as five years.

By this notice, East Georgia College is certifying that this institution will maintain a drug-free workplace for all employees. Further, as a condition of employment, each employee will:

1. abide by the terms of this statement, and

2. notify the vice president for fiscal affairs of any drug statute conviction for a violation no later than five calendar days after such conviction.

East Georgia College has established a drug-free awareness program to inform employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, about available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs, and about the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.

Possession or use of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited on the East Georgia College campus.