Catalogue: Online Campus
Student Life
Belhaven University 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 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 University 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 University.
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 Appeals
Grading is viewed by Belhaven University as a contractual relationship between faculty member and student; and although students have the right to protest, actual changes in grades are both rare and at the discretion of the faculty member. The Dean will intervene only in extreme circumstances or when the course materials or curricular items are concerned. Currently enrolled students wishing to file grievances on academic issues should submit written appeals to the
academic appeals committee,. Academic appeals of grades must be made before the end of the next semester following the issuance of the grade.
Should a student believe there is concrete reason to protest a grade for a course, the procedures are as follows:
- The student should contact the faculty member for discussion within seven days of receiving the grade.
- If the student continues to feel justified in making a grade appeal, a petition to change a grade form can be accessed from Student Services.
- The form and necessary supporting documentation (i.e. documented correspondence and copies of graded works in question) should be submitted to Student Services.
- The Dean will meet with the Academic Appeals Committee and reach a decision (committee shall consist of the Dean of Faculty and the discipline representative [i.e. Dean of Business, Dean of Education, etc.])
- When the Committee or university official takes action, the student will be notified in writing of the decision and a copy of all correspondence will be forwarded to Student Services and the Registrar’s Office for placement in the student’s file.
- Decisions made by the Academic Appeals Committee are final and may not be appealed.
Academic Grievances
Academic grievances concerning a faculty member or an online campus course should be directed to Dean of Online Studies who can be reached by contacting Belhaven University, 1500 Peachtree St., Box 282, Jackson, MS 39202 or by calling 601-968-5942.
Belhaven University 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 Student Services 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 University 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 Dean of Academic Enhancement shall serve as the complaint coordinator.
- Applicants or students shall file complaints, in writing, with the coordinator. A complaint shall contain the name and address of the person filing it and a brief description of the alleged violation. If the complainant needs an accommodation in order to file the complaint, he/she should inform the person taking the complaint.
- Such complaints must be filed within forty-five calendar days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
- An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The coordinator will conduct the investigation.
- The coordinator shall issue a written determination regarding the complaint and a description of the resolution. The coordinator shall forward a copy to the complainant within a reasonable time.
- The complainant may request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he/she is dissatisfied with the resolution. Persons with complaints should make requests for reconsideration to the provost within thirty calendar days of the date of the written determination issued by the coordinator. The provost shall issue a decision regarding the appeal within a reasonable time, and the decision of the provost shall be final.
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, and reference materials for all fields of study at Belhaven.
The Online 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, 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 35,000 e-books. These e-books are accessible 24/7 through netLibrary from any computer with an internet connection.
The library is open 80 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.
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.
Bookstore
In addition to textbooks and supplies, the Belhaven Bookstore, located in the McCravey-Triplett Student Center, offers a variety of Belhaven memorabilia such as shirts, mugs, trade books, and Christian books and music.
