POLICIES
University-Wide Policies
All students and student organizations must follow all policies of Georgia State. There are various policies that are explained on this page, including those that are campus-specific. Policies that will be highlighted include reserving spaces, marketing, travel policies, equipment check out and more.
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Georgia State's policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs can be found in the Policy Library.
Contracts & Insurance
Contracts
Registered student organizations at Georgia State are not permitted to enter into any contract or agreement on behalf of the University or using the name of Georgia State. Student organizations using Student Activity Fee funding to hire speakers, performers, amusements, rides or similar entertainment are required to contact the Student Activity Fee Committee via email at [email protected] 60 days prior to the event to verify whether a contract or agreement is necessary.
Insurance
Student organizations hosting large special events (such events with inflatables, rock walls, rides, attendance of over 300 individuals, or any other event at which there may be a reasonable risk of harm or injury) should contact the Safety & Risk Management Office to discuss risk, waivers, or insurance needs.
Gambling/Gaming (Casino Nights, Poker Tournaments, Raffles, etc.)
Gambling is illegal in the State of Georgia; these methods of raising money bring up serious legal issues. Events that violate state law may result in significant ramifications (e.g. student judicial procedures under the Code of Conduct, loss of University facility reservation privileges, arrest and/or monetary fines). The information below that will assist the organization with planning for successful and legal events.
The legal definition of gambling in Georgia has three components:
- Consideration- exchanging something of value for a chance to win (for example, paying/donating money in exchange for poker chips or a raffle ticket)
- Chance- taking a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome (for example, betting chips in a poker game)
- Prize- something of value received as a result of winning (even, for example, designating the charity to which donations will be given is considered a prize).
Take away any one of the above-listed three components and the activity does not constitute illegal gambling.
Casino Nights & Poker Tournaments
The nature of poker and other casino games makes it impossible to take away the element of chance. As such, groups wanting to hold legal poker/casino nights are left with removing either the element of consideration or prize. Since the prize is generally what makes potential participants want to participate, this element is probably not a practical one to remove. Therefore, the element of consideration is the one that can most realistically be removed while still allowing for a fun and successful fundraising event. To be more specific, the requirement of a “buy-in” amount, in this case, would not be allowed. A suggested donation may be requested but not required. Anyone wanting to play must be allowed to fully participate and the requested donation may not be “suggested” so strongly as to effectively comprise a requirement.
Raffles
In the case of raffles, there is an exception to the prohibition against them as illegal gambling in Georgia in certain circumstances. Specifically, raffles are legal for Georgia State registered student groups that apply for and receive a license from either the Fulton County (Atlanta) or Dekalb (all other campuses) Sheriff’s Department prior to holding the raffle. The registration fee is $100, only applies for the site location specified in the application form and is valid for one year.
Additional information regarding applying for a raffle license can be found on the Fulton County and Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department website.
Minors on Campus
Student organizations hosting programs that could include non-student minors must follow the Minors on Campus Policy. Non-student minors are guests under the age of 18 that are not enrolled students.
Events hosted by a student organization that may include non-student minors must:
- Register annually with the Office of Safety and Risk Management
- Complete the annual calendar year training with the Office of Safety and Risk Management
- Complete a program checklist to verify compliance with requirements
Please visit the Office of Safety and Risk Management Minors on Campus Policy page for more details.
Movie Showings
The laws governing intellectual property rights do not permit a public performance of a movie unless public performance rights are obtained, or one of the two exceptions described below applies.
Public Performance Rights (PPR)
Student organizations who wish to show a movie in a location other than a private residence must demonstrate that they have secured a public performance license authorizing them to do so or that one of the exceptions listed below applies to their event. A receipt from an authorized distributor/public performance licensing agent must be presented to the event venue staff prior to the scheduled event unless the event organizer has shown that an exception to the PPR requirement exists. If a student organization wishes to show a move on campus, RSOs can request assistance with securing the public performance rights using this form.
Exceptions to the PPR Requirement for Showing a Movie at an Event
If your showing fits the definition of a public performance, you can show it without PPR if one of the exceptions described below applies.
- The movie will be shown by an instructor in the course of face-to-face teaching activities in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction. The showing must be for instructional purposes (not for recreation, entertainment, or general cultural value) with the instructor or a student leader personally present. Typically, the movie must directly relate to a course’s curricular goals as described in the course syllabus. The copy of the movie being shown must have been lawfully made. A legal copy purchased or rented from a store or distributor or borrowed from a library may be used. A movie taped or recorded from television or copied without permission may not be used.
- The movie you will be showing is in the “public domain.” Generally, this means that no person or organization has any proprietary interest such as a copyright or that any copyright to the movie has expired. Even movies that are quite old may still be protected by copyright.
There is no general “educational,” “nonprofit,” or “free of charge” exception. This means that most movie showings outside the context of face-to-face classroom teaching require obtaining Public Performance Rights.
Charging Admission Fees
No admission fee may be charged for a movie showing nor may the movie showing be publicized to the general campus unless public performance rights have been secured.
Public Policy & Public Forums
Georgia State students and student organizations are supported in their right to engage in speech activities. Students may do so on campus in any place where, at the time of the speech, expression, or assembly the persons are permitted to be (including designated public forums). The exception is the distribution of printed materials is not permitted in classrooms and laboratories, dining areas, elevators, escalators, libraries, or entrances and exits to buildings.
For more information and the full university policy on the use of public forums and speech activities, please refer to the Code of Conduct.
Designated Public Forums
- Atlanta Campus:
- Lawn adjacent to Unity Plaza outside Student Center East, and Urban Life Plaza between the Urban Life Building, Sports Arena, and Student Center West
- Alpharetta Campus:
- East Patio entrance to building A-1310
- Clarkston Campus:
- The Quad area between buildings CA, CB, CC and CG
- Decatur Campus:
- Quad between buildings SA, SB, SC and SG
- Dunwoody Campus:
- Quad area NT, NE, LRC and NB
- Newton Campus:
- The south end of the lawn between building 1N and 2N
Questions
Questions about this policy may be addressed to the Office of the Dean of Student at 404-413-1515 or in-person in Student Center East, Suite 300, Atlanta Campus.
Reserving Space
Atlanta:
Registered student organizations are eligible to reserve Georgia State spaces on and off-campus. The Student Center Event Management office oversees the online reservation system. Please visit the Student Center Event Management website to learn more information on the indoor and outdoor venues, guidelines, catering information, and reservation system. To learn more information about the various recreation areas and guidelines visit the Recreational Services and for classroom spaces and guidelines visit the Office of the Registrar website.
Perimeter:
Registered student organizations are eligible to reserve Georgia State spaces on and off-campus. To learn more information about the various recreation areas and guidelines visit the Recreational Services website. The steps for organizations to reserve non-academic or academic space on a Perimeter campus are listed below.
Please visit the Perimeter College Student Organizations PIN page for a more detailed step-by-step, example and list of contacts that must be included in the email.
Student organization advisors must send an email requesting space. The requestor will receive a confirmation email with details on the request and if any changes have been made. The confirmation must be printed out and presented on the day of the event. The advisor must be present during the event.
The following information must be included in the request:
- Name of organization
- Advisor
- Number of students
- Dates requested
- Event description
- If food will be served
- Rooms requested based on availability
- Hours of meeting
- Room set up
- Tables
- Chairs
- Requestor information
- Name and title
- Campus
- Contact phone number
Please be advised, all events held on the Alpharetta campus on a Saturday must be concluded by 3 p.m. Additionally, all reservations on Sundays are now prohibited on the Alpharetta campus.
Code of Conduct
Students and student organizations must follow the Georgia State Code of Conduct at all times, both on and off-campus. The Code of Conduct includes many policies for registered student organizations, including, but not limited to:
- Non-Discrimination Policy
- Policy regarding membership and officer requirements for your organization
- Alcohol Policy
- Outlines regulations for alcohol at organization events
- Hazing Policy
- Defines hazing according to Georgia State
- Registered Student Organization Policy
- Outlines the registration and re-registration processes for registered student organizations
- Use of University Name, Logos, and Facilities
- Campus Speech, Distribution and Posting Policy
- Outlines how to post on campus, as well as how to hold a public forum on campus
Please access the Code of Conduct for the specific regulations of each policy.
Travel Policies
Student organizations planning to travel using Student Activity Fee (SAF) funding must schedule a pre-travel meeting with their campus Student Life Office a minimum of 60 days prior to travel.
Any student representing Georgia State is considered to be on official university business and is therefore governed by the Code of Conduct and other Administrative Policies. This includes students attending any conference, workshop, or other activity and while traveling to and from these events. Any violation of the Code of Conduct may result in appropriate disciplinary action as allowed by the Code.
In addition, all Georgia State students on official university travel must follow the procedures below:
Participation: Students are expected to participate fully in the conference, workshop, or other activity by attending all programs and events as outlined by the conference when feasible. If participating as a part of a group, the group will seek to attend as many different sessions as possible in order to obtain the greatest amount of information and/or resources.
Proper Dress: Students must dress appropriately for the conference event based on the guidelines provided by the conference organizers and conference materials. Any questions about proper attire should be directed to the advisor or the conference organizers prior to leaving for the conference.
Alcohol Use: Students must comply with the Alcohol Policy while on university travel.
Vehicle Privileges: All trips that require the usage of a University vehicle will follow all the rules as outlined by Student Life and/or Recreational Services. Failure to follow the rules may result in temporary or permanent loss of driving privileges. Such acts include, but are not limited to reckless driving, possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the vehicle, littering, failure to return the vehicle at the agreed time, personal use of the vehicle and using the vehicle as a taxi for students.
Prior to leaving for a trip, it is strongly encouraged that those attending be aware of the organization’s emergency protocol and complete an emergency contact card.
Use of Georgia State's Name/Logos
Registered student organizations are not authorized to use Georgia State official logos without expressed written consent from University Relations. No registered student organization may use “Georgia State University”, "Georgia State" or “GSU” as a prefix to their names or accounts. The only allowed identification is: the "Bubble Blowing Club at Georgia State University/GSU."
If your group's social media accounts/email break these guidelines, you will NOT be able to re-register. As a reminder, re-registration opens April 1st and MUST be completed by May 1st each year.
Contact Us
For general questions on any campus, email us at [email protected].
In Person
Alpharetta Campus
3705 Brookside Pkwy, Room 1310
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
770-274-5600
Atlanta Campus
Student Center West, Suite 270
66 Courtland Street S.E.
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
404-413-1582
Clarkston Campus
Building CN, Suite 1400
555 North Indian Creek
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
678-891-3225
Decatur Campus
Building SC, Suite 2130
3251 Panthersville Road
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
678-891-2740
Dunwoody Campus
Student Center, Suite NB2200
2101 Womack Road
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
770-274-5385
Newton Campus
Building 2N, Suite 1200
239 Cedar Lane
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
678-891-2683
Mailing Address
Alpharetta Campus
Office of Student Life
3705 Brookside Pkwy, Room 1310
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Atlanta Campus
Student Organizations
Georgia State University
PO Box 3973
Atlanta, GA 30302-3973
Clarkston Campus
Office of Student Life
555 North Indian Creek
Building CN, Suite 1400
Clarkston, GA 30021
Decatur Campus
Office of Student Life
3251 Panthersville Road
Building SC, Suite 2100
Decatur, GA 30034
Dunwoody Campus
Office of Student Life
2101 Womack Road
Student Center, Suite NB2200
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Newton Campus
Office of Student Life
239 Cedar Lane
Building 2N, Suite 1200
Covington, GA 30014
Alpharetta Campus
Aprille Williams
Assistant Director for Student Life
[email protected]
Atlanta Campus
Jeff Benson
Associate Director for Student Life
[email protected]
Courtney Telfort
Coordinator for Student Engagement (Student Organizations)
[email protected]
Jackie Niedbalski
Administrative Specialist, Administrative
[email protected]
Clarkston Campus
Jez Catambay-Lopez
Associate Director for Student Life
[email protected]
Decatur Campus
Anitra Patrick
Director, Student Programs & Services
[email protected]
Dunwoody Campus
Dr. Theodora Johnson
Assistant Dean of Students
[email protected]
Newton Campus
Perry Culverson
Assistant Director for Student Life
[email protected]