Student Handbook and Policies

Governors State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992, as amended, and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as well as other federal and state legislation.

This legislation applies to the opportunities that must be available to students choosing to attend an institution of higher education. Under ADA, students pursuing a post-secondary education are responsible for documenting and requesting accommodations for their specific needs. Students are responsible for identifying themselves as students who have a disability. The student must provide the University with appropriate documentation regarding their disability and recommended accommodations.

For more information and/or to arrange for appropriate accommodations, please contact Access Services for Students with Disabilities. 

The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (also known as the Clery Act) is a federal mandate that requires all current students and employees be provided with information on policies and procedures involving campus security, the reporting of criminal action or other emergencies, and the enforcement authority of security personnel. The Department of Public Safety publishes the Annual Security Report online.

The Demonstration and Public Protest Policy (Policy 79) states that Governors State University provides necessary resources to support the exercise of constitutional rights provided by the First Amendment. The policy is intended to provide for the safety of all persons and property associated with the planned or spontaneous acts of demonstration or protest. Additional information about restrictions associated with demonstrations and public protests are listed in policy 79.

Registered Demonstrations: Organizers of demonstrations and public protests are encouraged to seek registration of their events at least 2 business days in advance by emailing the University Events office and following the office's instructions.

Non-registered or Spontaneous Demonstrations: GSU welcomes demonstrations and public protests without prior registration so long as all participants comply with all other terms of the policy. Organizers and participants are encouraged to select one of the following locations for the event and if the demonstration involves a larger group, the group may be limited to the following locations:

• The Columbus Carillon Area (Bell Tower), immediately south of the University's Main Entrance (D Building) between parking lot East 1 and parking lot West 1.
• GSU Main Entrance (D Building) sidewalk, at least 25 feet from the doorway, from the eastern limit of D Building to the eastern limit of C Building.
• GMT Building, outside sidewalk between roadway/parking Lot West 2 and GMT main entrance
• D-Building Atrium (between main entrance and the Hall of Governors entrance)

GSU is committed to addressing comments, questions, and concerns related to students' experiences. Students may file complaints or grievances should they wish to provide feedback or resolve an issue at the university.

Prior approval from the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs is required to post materials on Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs bulletin boards. Materials for posting must be dropped off in the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs (A2100) for review.

The Concealed Carry policy was developed in response to the Illinois Firearms Concealed Carry Act, 43 ILCS 66 [the “Act”]. The Act prohibits anyone from knowingly bringing a firearm onto property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education.

For more detailed information, please see the GSU Concealed Carry policy.

The health and safety of every student is important to GSU. The Office of the Dean of Students recognizes that the potential for conduct action may deter students from seeking medical assistance for a fellow student or themselves. As a university, we support and encourage all students to reach out for assistance in cases of a medical emergency and/or when you see others in need. Through the Good Samaritan/Amnesty practice, students are encouraged to be active bystanders and respond to potentially risky circumstances (such as alcohol or drug intoxication) without fear of consequence from the university. For medical assistance, contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 708.534.4900 or dial 911.

In January 2016, the State of Illinois enacted a new law (Public Act 099-0278) that allows students the opportunity to authorize a person to contact for mental health emergencies. This individual would be outside the emergency contact person you provided when you enrolled in the university. This mental health emergency contact will be used should you experience a mental health crisis where you are determined to pose a clear danger to yourself or others.

More information about your right to designate a mental health emergency contact is available through the Counseling Center. 

GSU is committed to providing a safe campus environment that enhances student learning and development. The campus acknowledges the important role of parents and families in supporting and facilitating their student's success in college.

In accordance with federal law, GSU may notify a student’s parents of the student’s violation of federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the University regarding the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance, if the student is under age 21 at the time of the notification and if GSU has determined that the student has violated university policy.

Governors State University will not discriminate against students for observing religious holidays and will reasonably accommodate the religious observances of individual students in regard to admission, class attendance, as well as the scheduling of examinations and academic work requirements.

The full policy is detailed in Reasonable Accommodation for Students' Religious Observances (Policy 38).

If you experience sexual misconduct or know someone who has, we encourage you to report it so that we can help create a university community free of any such conduct. Sexual misconduct can include sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating/domestic violence, or other sexual violence.

Information about the Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) policy and procedures is available on the Title IX Website.

In accordance with (110 ILCS 64/) the Smoke-Free Campus Act, as of July 1, 2015, Governors State University prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products indoors and outdoors on campus property, including parking lots and in parked cars. Littering the remains of tobacco products or any other related waste product on campus property is further prohibited.

For more information please review the GSU Smoke Free Policy.

Student Athletes can review information about the athletic program, including academic, behavioral, and compliance requirements in the Student Athlete Handbook.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student information maintained by the university. FERPA deals with the release of your student education record and ffords you certain rights with respect to your education records.

Questions about FERPA, including waivers to share information with parents/families, should be directed to the Registrar.

University Housing publishes a Housing Handbook with information about key policies, residence hall security features, and other important housing information about living on campus.