Accreditation and Compliance

Limitation of Institutional Liability

In the event that an administrative hearing officer or a court of record determines that publications issued by Fort Valley State University create a contractual or quasi-contractual relationship with any person, the amount of damages recoverable by the parties shall be limited to the amount of consideration paid by the person for the privilege of admission, enrollment, continued enrollment, or other service rendered by the University to such person. As used herein, the term publications (without limiting the generality of the normal meaning of the term) shall be deemed to include any and all written forms or other documents issued by Fort Valley State University concerning applications for admission, enrollment or continued enrollment, waivers of liability, consents to medical treatment, residence hall occupancy, and all other documents, letters, or other materials issued by the University in the furtherance of its educational mission.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

It is the policy of Fort Valley State University to provide affirmative action and equal opportunity for all employees, students and applicants for employment or admission without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin or disability or veteran status.

Fort Valley State University does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment with regard to any opportunity for which the employee is qualified. For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, employees and applicants should contact the Equal Opportunity Officer. 

Every member of the Fort Valley State University community is expected to uphold this policy as a matter of mutual respect and fundamental fairness in human relations. All members of the faculty, staff, and student body are expected to ensure that Fort Valley State University is committed to a policy that ensures the fulfillment of equal opportunity without unlawful discrimination for all applicants for employment, employees, and students. This policy is administered without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. The university complies with the requirements of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, Executive Order 11246, as amended, the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II), as amended, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 and the Georgia Fair Employment Act of 1978, as amended. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and their implementing and supplemental regulations, save for any Eleventh Amendment legislative and/or judicial interpretations to the contrary.

Faculty, staff and students who feel that any of their rights under these regulations have been violated are entitled to request a review of the matter.  Any complaints dealing with any type of discrimination should be addressed to the University’s Equal Opportunity Officer (EOO).

Gena S. Wilson - Chief Human Resource Officer

Gena.wilson@fvsu.edu
478-825-6301
www.fvsu.edu/say-something

Constitution Day

The signing of the Constitution took place on September 17, 1787 at the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution:  We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

To remain complaint with the legislation passed by Congress for institutions receiving Federal funding, Fort Valley State University will hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year. The full text of the authorizing legislation can be found in Section 111 of Division J of Pub. L. 108-447, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,” Dec. 8, 2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344-45 (Section 111).

FVSU Accreditation and Memberships

Fort Valley State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and education specialist degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Fort Valley State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Other University degree programs which are accredited by discipline associations are:

• The Veterinary Technology Program, accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• The Social Work Program, accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE)
• The Family and Consumer Sciences Program, accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
• The Electronic Engineering Technology Program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
• The Master of Public Health Program, accredited by the Environmental Health Accreditation Council (EHAC)
• The College of Education and Professional Studies, accredited by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). 
• The School Counselor Education Program, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP)
• The Clinical Rehabilitation Program, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP)
• The Clinical Mental Health Program, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP)

The University also maintains the following memberships:

• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
• American Association of State Colleges and Universities
• American Council on Education
• American Association for Higher Education
• American Library Association
• American Personnel and Guidance Association
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (A.C.B.S.P.)
• Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc.
• Association of Administrators of Home Economics
• Association of American Colleges
• College Entrance Examination Board
• College Placement Council, Inc.
• Committee for the Humanities
• Conference on College Composition and Communication
• Conference of Southern Graduate Schools
• Council for Social Work Education
• Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
• Council of 1890 College Presidents
• Council of Rehabilitation Education
• Georgia Library Association
• National Association of Campus Activities
• National Association of College Deans, Registrars and Admission Officers
• National Association of College and University Business Officers
• National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
• National Association of Remedial Learning Support Services in Post-Secondary Education
• National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Inc.
• National Collegiate Athletic Association
• National Council for Black Studies, Inc.
• National Education Association
• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
• Southern Regional Library Association
• The Georgia Consortium, Inc.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Fort Valley State University is covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. FERPA is a federal law that protects the confidentiality of student educational records and the individual student’s rights to privacy. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA rights belong to the student’s parent or legal guardian until the student reaches the age of 18 or attends a postsecondary institution.  FERPA applies to students who are enrolled in and attend an educational institution. This excludes students who are auditing courses and applicants for admission. Under FERPA, students have the right to:

• Inspect and review their education records within 45 days after the date the school receives the request. A student must submit a FERPA Request Form found online at  https://www.fvsu.edu/ferpa/. FVSU reserves the right to deny a student the right to inspect a parent or legal guardian’s financial records, confidential letters of recommendation requested by the student, and documents revealing non-directory information about other students.
• Seek amendment of education records believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy. A student should submit a written request to the custodian of record.
• Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
• File a complaint with U.S. Dept. of Education regarding the University’s alleged failure to comply with FERPA.

Questions regarding FERPA should be directed to the University’s Compliance Coordinator/FERPA Privacy Officer:

Michelle M. Clarington, J.D.
Office of Legal and Government Affairs
E-Mail: michelle.clarington@fvsu.edu

Phone:  478-825-4321

Title IX

Sexual Harassment, Prohibited Conduct, and Non-Discrimination Policy

In accordance with applicable federal and state law the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and the Fort Valley State University (“FVSU” or the “University”) adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. FVSU does not discriminate in its admissions practices (except as permitted by law), in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender (including gender and pregnancy discrimination), age, disability, national origin, race, religion, genetic information, or veteran status of any person, to discharge without cause, to refuse to hire, or otherwise discriminate against any person with respect to any matter directly or indirectly related to employment or academic standing.

As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, FVSU is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status.

FVSU also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the institution. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by this Policy.

This Policy ensures compliance with federal and state laws including: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VI”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), Title II of the Genetic Information Act of 2008 (“Title II”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and any another other applicable federal and state law.

When harassment, prohibited or discrimination does occur, all members of the FVSU community are strongly encouraged to report it promptly through the procedures outlined in this Policy. This Policy applies to all members of the FVSU community. This Policy is not intended to infringe or restrict rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution including free speech under the First Amendment, or the due process clauses of Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

The University follows the USG Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy 6.6, USG Sexual Misconduct Policy 6.7 and USG Sexual Misconduct Policy 4.6. The University also follows USG Policy to Prohibit Discrimination & Harassment as it relates to employees.

When prohibited conduct does occur, all members of the FVSU community should report it promptly to the Title IX Coordinator or a Responsible Employee. 

Title IX Coordinator Contact Information:

Karin D. Vinson, J.D.

Huntington Hall, Rm. 106

Fort Valley State University

1005 State University Drive

Fort Valley, GA 31030

Office Phone: 478-825-4284

Cell Phone:  478-662-6901

Email: Karin.vinson@fvsu.edu

The report may be made directly to the Title IX Coordinator in multiple formats to include:

• In writing by completing the online form or obtaining the form by requesting via email at titleIX@fvsu.edu
• Phone: 478-825-4284 or 478-662-6901
• Fax: 478-827-3100
• Mail-FVSU Office of Legal and Government Affairs 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030
• In person: Office of Legal and Government Affairs, 1st Floor Huntington Hall, Rm. 106
• USG Ethics Hotline or you can also make a report via telephone by calling the number below toll-free 24hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-877-516-3466.

For the complete Policy please visit:

FVSU Sexual Harassment, Prohibited Conduct, and Non-Discrimination Policy

USG Sexual Misconduct Policy

It is unlawful to retaliate against an individual for filing a complaint or for cooperating in an investigation of complaint regarding Title IX.  FVSU will take action if retaliation occurs.  Any individual found to have retaliated against an individual reporting, filing or cooperating in a Title IX matter is subject to the university’s disciplinary procedures up to and including expulsion or termination.

FVSU email

All members of the university family are required to have an FVSU email account.  Because of the expanding reliance on electronic communication at FVSU, it is necessary to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students have access to information sent via email.  Each member of the university family is responsible for ensuring that their FVSU email account is functioning properly.  Failure to receive messages will not position the university to adjust deadlines.  FVSU email will serve as the official method for communication with the university family therefore, faculty, staff and students are expected to check their FVSU email account daily.  

Board of Regents’ Policy on Access to Records

Any student, regardless of age, who is or has been in attendance at Fort Valley State University has the right to inspect and review his/her education records within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 45 days) after making a request. However, the student shall not have access to: (1) financial records of parents, (2) confidential letters of recommendation placed in the record prior to January 1, 1975, or (3) letters of recommendation concerning admission, application for employment or honors for which the student has voluntarily signed a waiver.

When the student and the official responsible for a particular record are unable to resolve questions as to the accuracy of information contained therein, the student shall have an opportunity for an impartial hearing to challenge the contents of his record. For additional information please contact the Office of the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.