Discretionary Review of Final Institution Decisions

A University System of Georgia student or employee who is aggrieved by a final decision of a USG institution may apply to the University System Office of Legal Affairs for a discretionary review of that decision pursuant to Board of Regents Policy 6.26 Application for Discretionary Review (in conjunction with Policy 4.7 Student Appeals and Policy 8.2.21 Employment Appeals). Review of the institution’s final decision is not a matter of right but is within the sound discretion of the Office of Legal Affairs. Students can apply for review of any final decision EXCEPT admissions (including program admissions), residency, student grades, and traffic citations. Employees may apply for review of ONLY termination, demotion, or other discipline that results in a loss of pay. If your matter does not fall into one of these categories, your application may still be reviewed if (1) the record suggests that a miscarriage of justice might reasonably occur if the application is not reviewed; or, (2) the record suggests that the institutional decision, if not reviewed, might reasonably have detrimental and system-wide significance.

A student or employee who wishes to apply for a discretionary review must do so within 20 calendar days following the final institution decision by following the instructions outlined below. For questions about the discretionary review process, please contact the Office of Legal Affairs by e-mail at usg-legal@usg.edu or phone at (404) 962-3255.

Instructions for Applications for Discretionary Review:

To assure a thorough and complete consideration of your application for discretionary review, please send the following information in a single pdf to the Office of Legal Affairs at usg-legal@usg.edu:

• In five pages or fewer, please state a summary of your position why the final institution decision was in error; the relief you seek; and why intervention is appropriate.
• Submit or attach copies of any correspondence or other documents, including the final institution decision, which you believe support or otherwise relate to your application for review.
• Explain briefly and precisely on a separate page all hearings or reviews which have been held at the institution, if applicable. Include the names and titles of individuals who heard the complaint and the names and addresses of any witnesses who appeared on your behalf. If available, please include a transcript of the hearing; if not, please include a brief summary of the oral evidence presented at the hearing. Responsibility rests solely on the applicant for transcription of any entered audio evidence.
• Describe briefly any evidence that you believe supports your contentions and whether such information was considered at previous hearings.
• Provide your email address, mailing address, and telephone number.