Belhaven College believes that well-rounded personal and social development can best be accomplished within a Christian community. Therefore, in order to meet individual needs while working for the needs of the community, it is necessary to establish guidelines for conduct. Belhaven’s adult studies student handbook describes in detail guidelines governing general college regulations. The system of standards set forth in the student handbook is intended to maintain a balance between individual freedom and the good of the community. Believing that every aspect of life should be lived to the glory of God, Belhaven College seeks to apply consistently these standards with a concern for the total development of the individual.
Belhaven reserves the right to withdraw or dismiss any student who, in its judgment, displays conduct in violation of the standards of the College.
Grievance Policy for Written Student Complaints
The student grievance or complaint policy insures that students have adequate lines of communication wherein to file written complaints. Students are encouraged to inform the proper college official any time they feel one of their student rights or privileges has been denied.
Academic Grievances
Currently enrolled students wishing to file grievances on academic issues should submit written appeals to the state dean or to the academic appeals committee, which may be done through the registrar’s office. Academic appeals of grades must be made before the end of the next semester following the issuance of the grade.
Academic grievances concerning a faculty member should be submitted to the State Dean.
General Grievances
General grievances should be written and submitted to the Director of Student Services. Grievances concerning instructors should be submitted to the State Dean. Academic grievances should be submitted to either State Dean or to Academic Grievance committee but not both.
Procedure for Reporting Grievances
Academic Disability Accommodation
Belhaven College offers students disability accommodation in accordance with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The student must make his or her disability known to the office of career and academic development or to the state dean for their campus and must provide current documentation of the disability from an appropriate licensed professional and complete the Belhaven ADA Request Form for accommodation. The student must provide such a request to the office of career and academic development at least two weeks prior to the beginning of each semester for which the accommodation is requested. Approved accommodations will be made within a reasonable time period after completion of the official request.
Grievance Procedure for Disabled Students
Belhaven College has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints alleging any action prohibited by regulations implementing the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other pertinent federal, state, and local disability anti-discrimination laws. The state dean shall serve as the complaint coordinator.
Anti-hazing Policy (Florida)
In compliance with Florida statutory requirements, the following anti-hazing policy is in effect: Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purposes of initiation or admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized by Belhaven College is expressly prohibited at Belhaven College.
Career Development
Appropriate employment information that is provided by employers to Belhaven College will be posted on the online job board that is accessible through BlazeNet, the campus intranet. Students and alumni can access the job board using an assigned user name and password.
On the Jackson campus, job placement and career planning services are provided for Belhaven College students and alumni through the office of student services, located in Raymond Hall.
Warren A. Hood Library
The Warren A. Hood Library houses more than 115,000 items. In addition to book and periodical collections, the library provides access to a vast array of electronic indexes and databases, media collections, archival materials, maps, periodical indexes and reference materials for all fields of study at Belhaven.
The Virtual Library is accessed through the Library web page (www.belhaven.edu/Library) and also taps into a large collection of online full text and citation databases including EBSCOhost, EBSCO A to Z, Grove’s Dictionary of Art, Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Christian Periodical Index, Mergent Online, CQ Researcher, and Classical Music Library. Additionally, library patrons have access to more than 29,000 e-books. These e-books are accessible 24/7 through The Virtual Library from any computer with an internet connection. The Virtual Library is an invaluable resource for Belhaven users at all campuses to access important resources via the World Wide Web.
The physical library is open approximately 75 hours per week during the Fall and Spring sessions. Hours are slightly reduced during holidays, breaks and during the summer session. The library hours are intended to sufficiently provide Belhaven faculty, staff, students, and administration access to collections, services and professional assistance.
The library staff is well trained to assist all faculty and students with a wide range of research activities. It is the librarians’ intent that each student at Belhaven develops transferable skills to ensure life-long learning through instruction and skilled use of the materials (both physical and online) available through the Warren A. Hood Library as well as any library or research facility throughout the world.
The library staff strongly encourages reference consultations. Professional librarians are available for subject specific reference consultations. Advance appointments may be scheduled by contacting the library at 601-968-5948, 1-800-808-5002 or at askalibrarian@belhaven.edu. Patrons are encouraged to carefully describe their research needs at the time the appointment is made, thus allowing library staff the lead time necessary to plan the best use of the library's collections. Interlibrary Loan services are also available to ensure access to resources that are not owned by the library.
To supplement resources provided by the Warren A. Hood Library, Houston students who are Texas residents may utilize TexShare, an extensive library network of public and academic libraries. Among the services available through TexShare are remote access to online databases and a card that allows some checkout privileges at member libraries, including libraries at publicly funded state universities. The Houston Public Library system is a member of TexShare. Any Texas resident who holds a valid library card to a TexShare-member institution may take advantage of these resources. Students are responsible for any incidental fees, interlibrary loan fees, copy fees, fines, etc.
Belhaven students who are Memphis area residents are allowed library use and privileges at the University of Memphis. Students may request a “Special Privilege Card” by showing a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and completing a form which is available in the McWherter Library Circulation Department (University of Memphis, Main Library). Students are responsible for any incidental fees, interlibrary loan fees, copy fees, fines, etc.
To supplement resources provided by the Warren A. Hood Library, Belhaven College has an agreement with the University of Central Florida (UCF) to make UCF library resources and services available to Belhaven College students. The services provided through UCF’s library include circulation of materials, interlibrary loan, research and document delivery services. Students desiring to use UCF resources must first request a “Special Borrower” card from Belhaven’s Academic Dean at the Orlando Campus. Students are responsible for any incidental fees, interlibrary loan fees, copy fees, fines, etc.
In addition, Orlando students have access to services at the Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) (Orlando Campus). Available services include in-house use of library resources and circulation of up to five titles. RTS will issue a library card to Belhaven students who present a valid ID, phone number, and email address. Students are responsible for any incidental fees, interlibrary loan fees, copy fees, fines, etc.
Belhaven Bookstore
The Belhaven Bookstore, located in the McCravey-Triplett Student Center, is open from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday. In addition to textbooks and supplies, the bookstore offers a variety of Belhaven memorabilia such as shirts, mugs, trade books, and Christian books and music.
All books will be delivered one week prior to the scheduled first class meeting of a course. Any questions or comments concerning books should be directed to the office of student services.
Textbooks
Students will participate in the book borrowing plan. Students will be issued a textbook prior to each course start and must return the textbook once the course is completed before getting the textbook for the next course. Students may purchase new textbooks at a rate charged for all new textbooks or purchase books that have been used multiple time at a rate charged for used textbooks.
Accounting Office
The Aspire accounting office handles student accounts for Jackson. If at any time you have questions concerning your account, please call 601-968-8758/8948 or visit the accounting office during office hours. The accounting office is located on first floor of Raymond Hall and is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Students on distant campuses can contact the Office of Student Financial Planning concerning their tuition accounts toll-free at 1-800-960-5940 and ask for Student Financial Planning.
Writing Center (Jackson Campus)
The writing center is available to help students with composition, reading comprehension, note-taking and research/study skills. The writing center is located on the third floor of Preston Hall (Room 305A) and is in operation during the fall and spring semesters. Hours of operation vary with each semester but are posted throughout the campus. The center is not open during the summer months. Students may come by during regular business hours, or they may call (601) 968-5916 to schedule an appointment. Individual tutors are available at branch campuses.
Mathematics Lab (Jackson Campus)
The mathematics lab is available to help students with math skills. The lab is located on the first floor of Fitzhugh Hall (Room 113) and is in operation during the fall and spring semesters. Hours of operation vary with each semester, but are posted throughout the campus. The center is not open during the summer months. Students may come by during regular business hours, or they may call 968-8710 to schedule an appointment. Individual tutors are available at branch campuses.
Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
Alpha Sigma Lambda is a national honor society which was founded “to recognize adult students in continuing higher education who achieve academic excellence while managing the responsibilities to family, work, and the community.” Eligibility for the honor society is open to matriculated undergraduate Adult Studies students who
1. have earned 24 or more credits at Belhaven College, and a total of 90 credits.
2. are in the top ten percent of the student pool remaining after completion of steps one and two, and
3. have a GPA of 3.5 or above.
Letters inviting eligible students to join the honor society are issued twice a year, in May and December.
