Calling for Leadership Changes at Georgia Southern University Health Services
The Issue
Petition Calling for Leadership Changes at Georgia Southern University Health Services
Petition for the Resignation of Dr. Julie Gauss and Kim Packer
We, the undersigned, call upon the leadership of Georgia Southern University to request the resignations of Dr. Julie Gauss and Kim Packer based on concerns regarding their handling of a mental health matter involving a student and the university’s subsequent response.
This petition is based on the belief that students deserve mental health care that is compassionate, ethical, transparent, and respectful of their rights. When students seek help during vulnerable moments, they should be able to trust that they will be treated with professionalism and fairness.
The concerns motivating this petition include:
- The handling of a mental health interaction that, in the petitioner’s view, caused significant harm rather than providing appropriate support.
- Concerns about the fairness and professionalism of the university’s response after the incident was reported.
- A belief that accountability and meaningful review were lacking.
- A desire to restore student confidence in Georgia Southern University’s Health Services.
This petition does not seek to punish individuals without due process. Rather, it calls upon university leadership to recognize that public confidence in student health services depends upon accountability and responsible leadership.
Accordingly, we insist that Georgia Southern University:
- Request the resignations of Dr. Julie Gauss and Kim Packer.
- Conduct an independent review of the events surrounding this matter and the university’s response.
- Review and strengthen policies governing student mental health care, crisis response, patient privacy, and complaint investigations.
- Commit to greater transparency and accountability when students raise concerns regarding Health Services.
Students should never fear seeking mental health care because they worry they will not be treated fairly or respectfully. We believe Georgia Southern University can better serve its students by ensuring that those entrusted with their care are held to the highest ethical and professional standards.
By signing this petition, we express our support for increased accountability, transparency, and reforms that place student well-being first.
4
The Issue
Petition Calling for Leadership Changes at Georgia Southern University Health Services
Petition for the Resignation of Dr. Julie Gauss and Kim Packer
We, the undersigned, call upon the leadership of Georgia Southern University to request the resignations of Dr. Julie Gauss and Kim Packer based on concerns regarding their handling of a mental health matter involving a student and the university’s subsequent response.
This petition is based on the belief that students deserve mental health care that is compassionate, ethical, transparent, and respectful of their rights. When students seek help during vulnerable moments, they should be able to trust that they will be treated with professionalism and fairness.
The concerns motivating this petition include:
- The handling of a mental health interaction that, in the petitioner’s view, caused significant harm rather than providing appropriate support.
- Concerns about the fairness and professionalism of the university’s response after the incident was reported.
- A belief that accountability and meaningful review were lacking.
- A desire to restore student confidence in Georgia Southern University’s Health Services.
This petition does not seek to punish individuals without due process. Rather, it calls upon university leadership to recognize that public confidence in student health services depends upon accountability and responsible leadership.
Accordingly, we insist that Georgia Southern University:
- Request the resignations of Dr. Julie Gauss and Kim Packer.
- Conduct an independent review of the events surrounding this matter and the university’s response.
- Review and strengthen policies governing student mental health care, crisis response, patient privacy, and complaint investigations.
- Commit to greater transparency and accountability when students raise concerns regarding Health Services.
Students should never fear seeking mental health care because they worry they will not be treated fairly or respectfully. We believe Georgia Southern University can better serve its students by ensuring that those entrusted with their care are held to the highest ethical and professional standards.
By signing this petition, we express our support for increased accountability, transparency, and reforms that place student well-being first.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on August 4, 2026