University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby announced Thursday a new Campus Safety and Security Committee that will review and develop recommendations on matters related to public safety at the system's 31 public colleges and universities.

Georgia Southern University will have two representatives on the committee: Student Government Association President Azell Francis and Director of Equal Opportunity Gary Gawel.

"The safety and well being of our students, our faculty and staff on our campuses is both a concern and a priority," said Huckaby. "Looking ahead in the University System, as we work to be more student-focused in the academic performance of students, I have concluded that we must simultaneously sharpen our focus on campus safety and behavior."

The committee will conduct a comprehensive review of policies and procedures at University System institutions and deliver a report with recommendations to the chancellor not later than the Board of Regents' May meeting.

More specifically the committee will be asked to report on:

• Title IX: campus and system-level policies, procedures, and practices for responding to and addressing sexual harassment and violence, offenses against persons off and on campus, in compliance with Title IX requirements.
• Campus law enforcement — agency assessment recommendations for compliance with state and federal laws, relationships with the campus community, local law enforcement, training and resource needs.
• Campus Safety, "Clery Act" — related policies, procedures, programs, and practices for ensuring accurate reporting of campus crime information.