The University System of Georgia mandates that we ask a series of questions on all applications for admission to the University of Georgia. This section reads as follows:

The University of Georgia is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment while providing students from all backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a college education. Prior misconduct, criminal history, etc. are reviewed and may require an applicant to provide additional information; however, applicants are infrequently rejected due to these issues, and we strongly encourage those applicants to apply. Applicants providing an affirmative response to any question may be contacted to provide additional information. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their application process.

• Have you ever been convicted of or pled guilty to a crime other than a minor traffic offense?
• Are there any criminal charges currently pending against you?
• Do you currently have disciplinary or academic misconduct charges pending against you from a high school, college, or university?
• At the time you left your previous high school(s), college(s) or universities, were you the subject of any disciplinary or academic misconduct proceeding?
• Have you ever been disciplined, suspended, or expelled for conduct code violations from a high school or a postsecondary educational institution?

If a student answers “yes” to any of these questions, they should also submit a full statement of facts relevant to the incident(s) including circumstances leading to the event, dates of the event, and sanctions imposed.

Applicants need not respond “yes” for infractions involving attendance or dress code violations at a high school, college, or university.

As is true for all sections of the application, applicants should respond to criminal and conduct questions within the application in a forthright and detailed manner. Students should keep in mind that they are required to sign the University of Georgia’s Honor Code and Validation Statement within the application that states, in part:

By my signature below, I understand that I am subscribing to the University of Georgia’s Honor Code and agreeing to be bound by such in the event that I am admitted and subsequently enroll as a student at the University. I understand that, until I enroll, I have a continuing obligation to update the information submitted to the University in my Application for Undergraduate Admission. I further attest that to the best of my knowledge all of the information I have supplied in this application, or will subsequently submit, is complete and accurate and that any omission or misrepresentation will invalidate any further consideration or subsequent admission.

Failure to respond completely and honestly to these questions could result in having all action stopped on the processing of an application and/or the invalidation of current and future applications to the University of Georgia. Until they enroll, students, including admitted students, have a continuing obligation to update the Office of Undergraduate Admissions regarding any conduct or criminal incidents that may occur after an application has been submitted.

Limited members of the admissions staff will conduct an initial review of all conduct and criminal disclosures. Depending on the nature, severity, and history of each case, the application may be moved forward to the academic review process. The application may also be subject to further review by a Faculty Admissions Committee. This committee consists of a panel of UGA faculty and staff that may include members of the teaching faculty, the School of Law, the UGA Police Department, University Housing, Counseling and Psychiatric Services, and the Office of the Dean of Students.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions may require an applicant to submit additional documentation to aid this review process. Documentation requested could include a more detailed explanation from the applicant, a criminal history record, a letter of good standing from a current or past institution, additional official court documentation, and/or other relevant documentation.

After careful consideration, the Faculty Admissions Committee will make recommendations regarding each file they review. The Committee may recommend an application move forward in the academic review process; alternatively, they may recommend an application not be considered for further admission review. In some cases, an applicant may be invited to reapply for a future term once certain conditions have been met (e.g., completion of probation or other court mandated sanctions).

Items of consideration for each conduct or criminal case include:

• Patterns of repeated behavior
• How recently the incident(s) occurred
• Completed and ongoing sanctions
• Evidence of responsibility
• Evidence of rehabilitation
• Nature and severity of the incident(s)
• Age at the time of the offense(s)

All pending charges should be reported. The Committee may recommend your case reach resolution before admissions consideration is given. Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis.

No application for admission is automatically denied based on conduct or criminal disclosures. Each application is given thoughtful and individual consideration. In some cases, the Faculty Admissions Committee may recommend an application not move forward in our academic review process.

Applications that do not move forward in our academic review process at the recommendation of the Faculty Admissions Committee do not receive an admission decision. Decisions not to review an application further for admission may not be appealed.