Welcome to the University of Georgia

	Michael F. Adams President, University of Georgia
	Rodney D. Bennett, Ed. D. Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Welcome to the University of Georgia, the nation’s oldest chartered state university, established on January 27, 1785. You are now a part of a great institution with a long and distinguished history. As Georgia’s premier institution of higher learning, the University continues to strive for excellence through its student body, faculty, facilities, and opportunities for education and growth.

You are arriving at UGA at an exciting time. You are joining classmates who are among the best and brightest from this state, this nation, and, indeed, around the world. From the classroom to the concert hall, the athletic field to the computer lab, University of Georgia students are modeling success. In recent years we have produced Rhodes Scholars, Truman Scholars, Goldwater Scholars, Academic All-Americans, Fulbright Fellows, Olympic medalists, and a National Student Volunteer of the Year from amongst our student body. This institution is dedicated to fostering a University community that provides students with a top-quality education and prepares them to be future leaders.

As proud as we are of our students, we are also justly proud of the accomplishments of our faculty, which includes nine members of the National Academy of Sciences, a Pulitzer Prize winner, a founding member of the Canadian Brass, internationally recognized chemists, ecologists, legal scholars, biotechnologists, and authorities in American poetry, fiction, literary criticism and art history. We have faculty who live in the residence halls, extending the academic experience beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom. As you walk through the campus, you will encounter faculty whose research and teaching are changing the way we think and live.

You will have the opportunity to utilize some of the best facilities in the land. The Student Learning Center, a state-of-the-art complex complete with a wireless library, classrooms and study spaces – all the Ethernet portals into which you can connect laptop computers. The Ramsey Student Center for Physical Activities has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the top student recreational facilities in the nation. You may study abroad in UGA’s year-round facilities in Oxford, England; Cortona, Italy; San Luis, Costa Rica; as well as many other locations around the world. The Performing Arts Center and Georgia Museum of Art have enabled our University community to enjoy world-class fine arts programming and exhibits. Our residence facilities provide comfortable and secure on-campus housing options in residential communities where academic success and personal growth of our students are encouraged and supported.

I am delighted that you have chosen to attend The University of Georgia – a place where you will enjoy fulfilling experiences and build long-lasting relationships. I look forward to celebrating with you your accomplishments as a student, and I wish you the best throughout your years at The University of Georgia.

Michael F. Adams, President
University of Georgia

Welcome to new and returning students:

I am pleased that you have selected The University of Georgia as an institution to pursue higher education. The University has worked hard to maintain a standard of excellence that encourages leadership development, scholarship, and service to both the campus and local communities. This handbook will serve as your guide to a variety of services and programs aimed at helping you achieve your academic and personal goals. It is my hope that you will refer to the handbook often and consider it among your most valued resources while enrolled as a student at UGA.

As you encounter situations not addressed in the handbook, I encourage you to seek assistance from the appropriate Student Affairs office. A complete list of departments, including telephone numbers and email addresses can be found by visiting the Student Affairs website at www.uga.edu/campuslife . If you are unable to determine where to go for help, please feel free to call the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for immediate assistance.

Again, welcome to the University of Georgia and have a safe, productive, academic year.

All the best,

Rodney D. Bennett, Ed. D.
Vice President for
Student Affairs and Dean of Students

The Student Handbook is published by the Division of Student Affairs. Since the programs and services described herein are subject to continuous review and evaluation, this document is intended for informational use only. Any portion of this handbook in conflict with the policies of the Board of Regents shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever.