Belhaven University Adult, Graduate, and Online Handbook

Table of Contents

• Welcome
• Our Vision
• Our Statement of Faith
• Belhaven Mission Statement

• Adult and Graduate
• Online

• Program Objectives
• Accreditation
• Transferability of Credits
• Prior Learning Assessment Credit
  • Standardized Testing
  • Foreign Language Proficiency Exams
  • Military Credit
  • Documented and Experiential Learning Credit

• Academic Plans
• Administrative Withdrawal
• APA and Writing Guidelines
• BioSig-ID
  • Protocols
• Classification
• Course Cancellation
• Course Load
• Course Withdrawal/Drop
• Grading Policies
• De-Registration
  • Academic Appeals
  • Academic Suspension, Probation, Warning
  • Forgiveness Policy
  • Incomplete Grades
• Orientation
• Personal Change of Status
• Privacy of Student Records
• Program Withdrawal
• Reentry
• Student End-of-Course Evaluation

• Blazenet
• Bookstore
• Career Development
• Student Financial Services
• Warren Hood Library
• Transcripts

• Financial Aid
• Class Participation Verification
• Verification of Enrollment Status
• Student Loan Acceptance
• Student Loan Disbursement
• Disbursement Dates
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
  • SAP Status
  • Appeal Process
  • Reestablishing Financial Aid
• Course Withdrawal
• Fees and Expenses
• Financial Regulations
• Other Financial Aid Programs
  • Veteran’s Benefits
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
• Other Financial Policies
• Refund Policy
  • Tuition Refund
  • Program Withdrawal

• Alcohol and Drug Policy
• Code of Conduct
  • General Code
• Disability Policy
  • Grievance Procedure for Disabled Students
• Disciplinary Procedures
  • University Student Discipline
• Honor Code
  • Disciplinary Process for Violation of Academic Honor Code
• Emergency Procedures
• Sexual Harassment
• Smoking, Tobacco, and e-Cigarette Policy
• Standards on Plagiarism
  • Responsible Research
  • Plagiarism Defined
  • Consequences of Plagiarism
  • Tools to Help Students Avoid Plagiarism
  • Specific Practices to Avoid
• Student Identification Cards

• Cancellation of Campus Class Meetings
• Class Attendance
  • Online Courses
  • Doctoral Dissertation Courses
• Class Design
• Policy for ILS Courses
• Student Responsibilities in the Classroom
• Texts and Materials
• Student Technology

• Responsibilities & Rights

• Academic Honors
• Alumni Association
• Awards
  • Nehemiah Graduate Studies
  • James W. Park Academic Administration
  • Who’s Who in American Colleges
  • Social Services
  • Student Citizenship
• Ceremony Participation
• Changing the Graduation Date
• Completion of Course Work
• Diplomas
• Graduation Application
• Graduation Dates
• Graduation Fee
• Graduation Requirements
• Transcripts
• Verification of Degree Completion

• Concept
• Purpose
• A Conducive Learning Environment
• Appeals
• Conflict Management and Resolution
• Covenant
  • Sample Team Covenant
• Evaluation and Grading
• Grading Team Presentations
• Forms
• Oral Presentations
• Policies
• Responsibilities
• Successful Team Interaction
  
   

The Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff at Belhaven University welcome you. Our programs are designed to both challenge you and meet your educational needs and goals. The format with weekly class sessions, online discussions, and Project Team meetings enables students to learn not only from the instructor and the printed materials but also from the sharing of work and life experiences with each other. The Belhaven University staff is available to assist you in your spiritual, educational, and personal goals. May God bless you in the commitment you have made to continue your education!

 

Our vision is to prepare men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.

 

We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, and only infallible, authoritative Word of God, which exercises ultimate authority over the individual, the Church, and human reason.

We believe that repentant sinners through faith alone, without works, receive justification through Christ. We believe that God, by his Spirit, progressively transforms the lives of those who are justified by God. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

Belhaven University prepares students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.

Belhaven University affirms the Lordship of Christ over all aspects of life, acknowledges the Bible as the foundational authority for the development of a personal worldview, and recognizes each individual’s career as a calling from God. Each academic department is committed to high academic goals for its students and clarifies the implications of biblical truth for its discipline. Belhaven upholds these commitments in offering undergraduate or graduate programs, by conventional or technological delivery modes, and in local, national, and international venues. The University requires a liberal arts foundation in each undergraduate degree program in order to best prepare students to contribute to a diverse, complex, and fast-changing world.

By developing servant leaders who value integrity, compassion, and justice in all aspects of their lives, the University prepares people to serve, not to be served.

 

ADULT AND GRADUATE

ONLINE

• Develop students’ potential, enabling them to face the future with confidence and determination.

• Prepare students for leadership and service in their chosen vocation.

• Apply critical thinking and reasoning skills to identify problems and to develop problem-solving abilities.

• Apply theoretical knowledge to solve real-life problems through teamwork within the context of an active learning environment.

• Facilitate social development and effectiveness in interpersonal relationships through developing personal values and constructive attitudes toward work, other people, and the quality of life.

• Form a broad base for a detailed study in a major discipline while giving Christian perspective on the world of ideas.

• Foster and promote a sense of Biblical ethics and values to be applied in the students’ personal and professional lives.

• Facilitate spiritual growth by examining personal and corporate values from a Christian worldview.

• Understand the functional components of business-economics, marketing, accounting, finance, law, management.
  
   

Belhaven University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Belhaven University.

Belhaven University holds specialized accreditation in dance (National Association of Schools of Dance), music (National Association of Schools of Music), theatre (National Association of Schools of Theatre), and the visual arts (National Association of Schools of Art and Design). Additionally, Belhaven University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs in the following degrees, which are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE): Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Management and Bachelor of Sports Administration.

Students who have questions or concerns regarding Belhaven’s state licensure should browse here for contact information for their respective state.

 

Belhaven University usually allows full credit to transferring students for work completed at other regionally and nationally accredited institutions; some courses, which are not regarded consistent with a liberal arts curriculum (including remedial work or other work to be determined by the Registrar) may not be credited toward a degree.  For students applying for an undergraduate degree, a grade of a “D” will be accepted for credit if the student has a general average of a “C” on transferable credit from that school. For students applying for a graduate degree, a grade of “C” will be accepted for credit if the student has a general average of a “B” on transferrable credit from that school. In cases of transcripts submitted from more than one institution, each transcript is evaluated as a separate unit in chronological order.

• Associate of Arts Degree: A maximum of 45 semester hours of transferable credit is permitted; thus, a minimum of 17 credit hours must be earned through Belhaven University.
• Bachelor Degree: A student may transfer a maximum of 64 semester hours of credit from a junior or community college. Once a student has earned 64 hours of junior and/or senior college credit, he/she may not transfer in any more junior college credit. A minimum of 60 semester hours must be completed at Belhaven University or at another senior college, and once enrolled at Belhaven all remaining course work in the Bachelors’ core curriculum must be completed at Belhaven University.
• Master Degree: No more than 6 graduate hours of credit may be transferred.

The transferability of credit is at the discretion of the accepting institution, and it is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not another college of the student’s choice will accept credits from Belhaven University.
 

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT

Belhaven University requires of all candidates for an undergraduate degree a minimum residence of one year. The last 31 semester hours of work must be earned in residence with the exception that students who have completed at least 90 hours at Belhaven University may request permission from the registrar to complete the final 12 hours required of their degree at another accredited senior college or university. Students who have completed at least 60 hours at Belhaven University may complete nine hours off campus; those with at least 31 hours at Belhaven University may complete six hours.

For full information on academic programs and transfer of credits please see our catalogue here.

 

All alternative credit must not exceed 45 credit hours toward the undergraduate degree.
 

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Belhaven University recognizes the CLEP, AP and ACT PEP standardized tests for credit and accepts the recommended score scale. Alternative credit, including CLEP, AP, and ACT PEP may not exceed 30 hours. Students may not CLEP core courses in their major. CLEP courses, when allowed, become Gen Eds or electives and a part of the alternative credit limit. CLEP of the basic Gen Ed courses ENG103/108, MAT202 is not permitted.
 

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY EXAMS

Foreign students may not register for credit in their native language. Students may earn college credit for Spanish, French, or German only by taking the CLEP examination at the elementary or intermediate levels for their major in a single language through completion of the CLEP examination with the CLEP examination with a minimum score of 50 or above or through proficiency credit. The CLEP standardized examination will preclude the use of departmental examinations except in those areas where CLEP examinations are not available.

The method of testing and the level of proficiency to be awarded for languages other than Spanish, French, or German will be determined by the chair of the foreign language department or their designee. For testing other than CLEP, a $100 fee is charged for administering a proficiency exam; an additional fee of $100 is charged if the exam is completed, and can be transferred in as elective credit.
 

MILITARY CREDIT

Credit for military service may be awarded as four credit hours of physical education if credit has not already been achieved in this area. These credits are awarded as non-academic hours. Other military training courses are individually assessed by the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations.
 

DOCUMENTED AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CREDIT (MAXIMUM 30 HOURS)

Belhaven University is among more than 600 colleges and universities involved in assessing documented learning for academic credit toward an undergraduate degree. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), an educational association founded in 1974 to promote the acceptance of the awarding of college credit for documented and experiential learning, has led the way in developing and implementing assessment techniques. Belhaven University uses the guidelines developed by CAEL. In order for the credit to be granted officially and recorded on the transcript, the applicant must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of academic course work at Belhaven University. This type of credit is not necessarily transferable into or out of Belhaven University.

BU294 PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO
This course is designed to assist the student with the development of an experiential learning portfolio. This includes developing a resume, reflecting on the personal journey through an autobiographical essay, application of a Christian worldview, and identifying knowledge and skills learned from previous work educational and work experiences in the experiential essays. The portfolio will be the basis of evaluation of work and life experiences for possible college credit. Students may write for up to 12 hours of credit for each occurrence of BU294 (resulting in a total possible of 15 credits, 3 from BU294 and up to 12 experiential credits). Students must register for BU294 in term 1 of the semester prior to the semester of graduation. BU294 may be repeated if more than 12 credit hours of PLA credit need to be assessed, not to exceed the limit of 30 credit hours from this option, including the credits earned through BU294. (Note: BU 294 may only be taken twice.)

BU29X PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO 1-3 CREDITS
This course is designed to assist the student with the development of an experiential learning portfolio. This includes developing a resume, reflecting on the personal journey through an autobiographical essay, application of a Christian worldview, and identifying knowledge and skills learned from previous work educational and work experiences in the experiential essays. The portfolio will be the basis of evaluation of work and life experiences for possible college credit. Students may write for 1-3 hours of credit in BU290. Students must register for BU291, BU292, or BU293 (depending on the number of elective credits needed) in term 1 of the semester prior to the semester of graduation. BU291, 2, or 3 are Pass/Fail courses.

 

NOTE: Any appeals by students in regard to the number of semester hours of credit awarded through the portfolio process may be made to the campus Dean.

Credit from alternative credit programs may be given in a specific area in which a student wishes to major or minor, dependent upon departmental policy. The maximum total of such credit listed above, in any combination, is 45 semester hours, not to include more than 30 hours of experiential credit. Hours earned through alternative credit programs do not carry quality points and therefore are not considered as residential hours for honors calculations.

 

An academic plan will be established for students upon admission to Belhaven. They can be viewed by logging on to Blazenet. Login information for Blazenet is sent to the student’s Belhaven email address.
 

Students must keep their own records of their academic progress; ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student to see that he/she is completing the correct courses for the degree he or she is pursuing.

 

Students may be administratively withdrawn for nonpayment of tuition, unacceptable conduct, and/or noncompliance with academic policy.

 

All students are expected to submit original work. All assignments should be written in APA format unless syllabus states differently. Regardless of subject matter, students will be held to the appropriate standard of writing, including grammar, syntax, organization, and style. Students should review metrics for writing within the course grading rubrics and faculty feedback on writing errors so that students can grow in their ability to write effectively. Belhaven uses the style adopted by the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition for all of the courses. Writing resources are available to students under “Help & Resources” as well as in the “Student Resources & Canvas Basics” course in Canvas.

 

Belhaven University is required by government regulators to confirm the identity of all students who take online courses. Authenticating students’ identities throughout their coursework ensures the academic integrity of the institution while also preserving the quality of the online degree you earn. To meet the requirements of federal law and regional accreditation, Belhaven University requires online students to authenticate their identity through BioSig-ID. 

BioSig-ID requires that you create a biometric password with a mouse, stylus, or your finger on a variety of computers and devices. Your biometric password cannot be replicated by someone else. You may be required to authenticate your identity with BioSig-ID prior to completing quizzes and exams as well as periodically throughout each course. All authentications take place within Canvas. Instructions on how to set up your BioSig-ID credentials will be provided in your Canvas course - you will only need to do this one time and the same credentials will be used for all your Canvas courses.
 

BIOSIG-PROTOCOLS FOR FOLLOWING UP

1. First violation. You will receive a warning letter that your account may be compromised and you must change your password.
2. Second violation. You will receive a 2nd letter with a stronger and more precisely worded warning that if the violations don’t immediately stop, there will be repercussions, including a failing grade for the course.
3. Third violation. You will receive a 3rd letter notifying you that you will receive a failing grade for the currently enrolled course. Your professor will mark your final grade as ‘F.’
4. Fourth Violation. You will be notified that you will receive a failing grade for the currently enrolled course AND be suspended from enrolling in Belhaven for any further courses for six months. Your professor will mark your final grade as an ‘F,’ and student services SS will withdraw you from any courses and programs.
   
    

A student’s classification is determined by the number of semester hours he/she has to his/her credit. For sophomore standing, a student is required to have earned 24 hours of credit; for junior standing, 54 semester hours; for senior standing, 90 semester hours; and for graduation, 124 semester hours and 240 quality points.

 

Students and faculty will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of any course cancellation except in emergency situations.

 

Normal course load in a four-month period for undergraduate students should not exceed 12 semester hours.  Requests to take more hours must be approved by Student Services and the Dean.  Approval will be on the basis of the student’s previous record of achievement and the course in which he/she wishes to enroll.  No student may receive credit for more than 18 hours in a four-month period.

Undergraduate students may choose to take two courses at once or to “double up.”  Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, complete the appropriate approval form, be taking no more than 18 credit hours in a term, and have sufficient funds to pay for the additional coursework.  

The normal course load in a four-month period for graduate students is 6 semester hours. Graduate students may double up on classes with approval from the Dean.

 

A student who drops a course is not considered to have withdrawn from the school. A course drop occurs: 

• When the student drops the course prior to and including the Friday of the first week of class.
• Course drops cover only one course.  If a student does not return at the end of the course drop and does not withdraw from the program with the Director of Student Services, there may be financial aid ramifications.
• A student may drop a course, but he/she must consider that financial aid may be affected.
• Any missed required courses must be completed at a later date in order to complete the program.
  
   

Deregistration is a process by which a student’s registration in a course is removed from their schedule for the semester. Deregistration occurs when a student does not take the course competency survey by Tuesday of the second week of class or no financial arrangements (including financial aid or payment plan) have been made to pay for class. Deregistration is processed on day 10 (the Wednesday morning after the first week of class) of a course. The student’s full-time status, financial aid, or international status may be affected by deregistered courses. Notice of course deregistration will be sent to the student’s Belhaven email address. Students who are deregistered from courses will not have access to the course after deregistration, nor will they receive credit for the course.
 

At the conclusion of an Adult Studies course, final grade reports will be available on BlazeNet. In the graduate teacher education program, final grade reports are available on BlazeNet at the end of each term or session. The Office of the Registrar will not show students their grades. Grades will not be discussed or given out by phone or e-mail. Course grade reports will indicate course completed, credit received, and grades assigned.

The meaning of the course grade is as follows:

The grades S (satisfactory) and U (unsatisfactory) are used for courses completed on the pass/fail option. The grade ES (examination satisfactory) is used for credit given by examination in foreign languages and mathematics. The grade CR (credit) is given for nonacademic courses to indicate that credit has been earned. The Course Grading Scale is as follows:

A quality point index is calculated at the end of each semester by dividing the number of quality points earned by the number of semester hours attempted, grades of F being counted as hours attempted. Only the grades listed immediately above carry quality points. Cumulative totals are also computed following each completed grade period.

Transfer work does not affect the Belhaven cumulative grade point average (GPA). Final GPAs used in calculating honors and a student’s overall GPA do not include transfer coursework.

Note: A graduate student may have no more than two grades of C, C+, or C-.
 

ACADEMIC APPEALS

Should a student believe there is concrete reason to protest a grade for a course, the procedures are the following:

1. The student should contact the faculty member for discussion within seven days of receiving the grade.
2. If the student continues to feel justified in making a grade appeal, the student should complete the Academic Grievance form (Appendix) and email it to the Dean describing the circumstances and including supporting documentation for the appeal.
3. The Dean sends the appeal information to the Instructor who has two (2) business days to respond.
4. The Dean forwards all the material to the Registrar’s office for the Academic Appeals Committee to render the appropriate disposition.
5. The Academic Appeals Committee will make a decision regarding the appeal and notify the Dean, who will notify the student in writing (email) of the decision and the Registrar’s office.

All decisions by the Academic Appeals Committee are final.


Procedure for appeals for grade changes on individual assignments.

1. Student works with the Instructor to resolve dispute. If no resolution is achieved, the student may appeal to the Dean.
2. The Dean will review the appeal and work to find a resolution.
3. The Dean’s decision is final regarding appeals related to individual assignments.

All decisions by the Academic Appeals Committee are final.
 

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION, WARNING, AND PROBATION

A quality point index is calculated at the end of each semester.

All UNDERGRADUATE students are required to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 with no quality point index deficiency, regardless of their classification. The formula for calculation of quality point index is: Belhaven earned quality points - (Belhaven attempted GPA hours times two) = quality point index.

1. At the end of each semester a student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of one to ten quality points will be given an academic warning.
2. A student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 10.01 to 23 quality points will be placed on academic probation.
3. A student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 23.01 to 35.99 quality points will be academically suspended for one semester. This student will be eligible to reenroll after remaining out of school for one semester.
4. A student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 36 or more quality points will be academically dismissed. This student will not be eligible for readmission to Belhaven University.

All GRADUATE students are required to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 with no quality point index deficiency, regardless of their classification. The formula for calculation of quality point index is: Belhaven earned quality points - (Belhaven attempted GPA hours times three) = quality point index.

1. At the end of each semester a student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of one to three quality points will be given an academic warning.
2. A student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 3.01 to 9 quality points will be placed on academic probation.
3. A student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 9.01 to 15 quality points will be academically suspended for one semester. This student will be eligible to reenroll after remaining out of school for one semester.
4. A student whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 15.01 or more quality points will be academically dismissed. This student will not be eligible for readmission to Belhaven University.
    

FORGIVENESS POLICY

An undergraduate student may request in writing to repeat up to four courses (or 12 hours) for forgiveness. A graduate student may request in writing to repeat up to two courses, or 6 hours for forgiveness. Both grades will appear on the permanent record. The forgiveness policy can be used one time per course. Repeating a course may influence a student’s financial aid or sports eligibility.

The following stipulations apply to this policy:

1. The student cannot use this option to repeat a course in which a grade of C or higher was earned. This can only be used to replace a grade of C- or below. Graduate students can use this option to repeat a course in which a grade of B- or lower was earned. A grade of F will not forgive a grade of F; both F’s will be calculated in the GPA.
2. The highest grade earned will be the one used to recalculate the GPA.
3. The student cannot use the forgiveness policy to replace a grade that was earned at another school, nor may grades earned at Belhaven be replaced by grades earned at another school. This policy will only affect the Belhaven grades and quality point index.
4. A course intended to be used for the forgiveness policy cannot be taken as independent study and must be taken at Belhaven University.
    

INCOMPLETE GRADES

Students may receive an “incomplete” grade due to extenuating circumstances that have prevented course completion. Faculty should contact the Dean for approval before granting the incomplete. Once approved, faculty enters a grade of “I” for the final grade in Blazenet. The expiration date should be set for 30 days after the final day of the course (this 30 days includes time for the instructor to grade missing material and my vary by situation). The “I” grade will automatically become an “F” if the grade is not changed, so it is important that students know the deadline.

 

Prior to class beginning, students are encouraged to attend a live Foundations via Zoom with student services where the following will take place:

• Meet Belhaven staff
• Discuss Belhaven’s program format and schedule information
• Review program policies and degree completion planning
• Review book distribution and information on downloading class modules
• Receive assignment for first class
• Receive parking decal and information (if applicable)
• Review any individual questions
   

Students are also strongly encouraged to complete an online orientation in Canvas.

Tuition must be paid or financial aid paperwork completed prior to the first class of the course.

 

Students are required to notify the university of a:

• Change of address.
• Change of phone number or email address.
• Change of name (must have name documented on social security card) must be made with the Registrar’s Office.
   

Forms can be found on Blazenet.

 

Certain information is considered to be “public” or “directory” information while other information is private in nature. Directory information is identified as the following: student’s name, address, telephone listing, e-mail address, enrollment status, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of participants in intercollegiate athletics, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. University officials will release directory information to the public as deemed appropriate. Students not wanting directory information released should contact the Director of Student Services. Other personally identifiable student records are not released without the student’s prior written consent or pursuant to judicial or administrative subpoena with the following exceptions: teachers and university officials who have a legitimate educational interest and other persons or agencies as described by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

 

• A student who withdraws from the program is required to fill out an official withdrawal form after notifying the Office of Student Services, except in cases of administrative withdrawal due to nonattendance or low GPA.
• The date the withdrawal form is submitted is the official date for withdrawal and will be used to calculate tuition charged and the student’s grade in the course.  
• The tuition refund policy is stated in this handbook in the “Financial Information” section.
   

It is advised that a student withdrawing from the program speak with a Student Finance counselor so that the student understands any financial ramifications of the withdrawal, including the return of Title IV funds and any payments that might be due from the student.

A Program Withdrawal will affect the grace period of any outstanding student loans and may cause the student to enter into immediate repayment.

 

A student who has previously withdrawn and desires reentry into the program will:

• Contact Student Services at least one week prior to reentry to review the student’s academic status and to set up a reentry schedule.
• Student Services will then contact the Accounting Office, Student Accounts, Office of Student Financial Services, and the Registrar for re-entry clearance.

A student who has been out of the program for six months or longer will reenter under all current program polices, including changes in degree requirements.
 
A student who has been out of the program for one year or longer will need to re-apply for admission.

 

The Student End-of-Course Survey is administered at the end of each course of instruction and asks students to evaluate the performance of the Instructor, the quality of the curriculum materials, and the administrative services utilized during the course.

 

BlazeNet is Belhaven’s Intranet system, providing online information to current students, faculty, and staff. From BlazeNet, students can view their account balance, financial aid status, academic plan and grades online, use their Belhaven e-mail account, download forms, use online library resources and get developmental information such as Christian, career, academic help, and study skills development.

 

The Belhaven bookstore, located in the McCravey-Triplett Student Center, is open 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Friday. During the summer, it is open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Friday.

 

Appropriate employment information that is provided to Belhaven University will be posted on the Handshake website through the Center for Career and Calling.

 

Student Financial Services handles student accounts for all campus and online students. If at any time you have questions concerning your account, call 800-960-5940 or 601-968-5933.

 

The Warren A. Hood Library houses more than 100,000 items. In addition to the book collections owned by the library, there are periodical subscriptions, record and CD collections, video cassettes, maps, vertical file materials, University Archives, periodical indexes, subscriptions to web-based indexes/full text databases, reference materials for all fields, and Internet access.

The staff is well trained to assist faculty and students with a wide range of research activities. The librarians’ intent is that each student at Belhaven develops transferable skills to ensure life-long learning through instruction and skilled use of the materials available at the Hood Library and other libraries in the metropolitan area.  

Individuals using the library are strongly urged to seek all assistance possible.  Should essential library materials not be found in the library, cooperative agreements between Belhaven University and other local libraries make available some 3.5 million items to each student enrolled at the University. Appropriate credentials (available at the library’s public service desk) must be presented at the source library. For items not available locally, participation in a variety of interlibrary loan networks makes possible computer-based loan service.

While library staff cannot conduct research for classroom purposes, assistance in developing a research strategy can be invaluable.  In order to make the best possible use of a student’s time, reference consultations are encouraged.  Advance appointments should be made. Students will be expected to carefully describe their research needs when the appointment is made, allowing library staff lead time to plan the best use of the library’s collections.

The library is open 104 hours each week for the fall and spring semesters. Hours are slightly reduced during the summer terms. Please call (601) 968-5948 for library hours or check the hours listed on the University web page.

 

A student who desires a transcript should go to https://www.belhaven.edu/registrar/transcripts.htm for information on how to request a transcript. Transcript requests take 48 hours to process. The Registrar is not permitted to release transcripts for a student who is in debt to the university. The person whose record is to be released must sign the request for a transcript. The cost of each transcript is $10.00 and must be paid in advance.

 

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. The following procedures must be followed in applying for financial assistance:

NEW STUDENT:

1. Apply for admission to the University.
2. Apply for Federal Assistance by filing the Free Application for Federal Assistance (FAFSA) on the Internet at here.
    

RENEWAL PROCESS FOR CURRENT STUDENTS:

Submit the FAFSA each calendar year using prior year tax information by filing the Renewal FAFSA for the appropriate year here.


IMPORTANT: Be sure to list Belhaven University as one of the colleges to receive the results of your evaluation.  Our code number is 002397.

 

Prior to release of financial aid funds, the University must verify the student has participated in an academically related activity in each of the classes in which they are enrolled. Federal regulations define academic related activities as physically attending a class with direct interaction between the instructor and students, submitting an academic assignment, taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, participating in an online discussion about academic matters, etc. If participation cannot be verified, all Title IV funds (Pell Grants, student loans, and other grants or scholarships) cannot be disbursed.

If the student receives financial aid and does not continue participating in classes (family emergency, illness, etc.), the student needs to notify their student advisor immediately. If the student fails to participate or the faculty member fails to provide participation information to the Registrar’s Office, the Financial Aid office will not disburse financial aid funds until participation is verified. If participation is not verified, Title IV funds will be cancelled and the student will not be eligible to receive funds for that award period.

 

As part of establishing federal student aid eligibility, every institution is required by law to establish average costs associated with attending classes throughout the year, also referred to as the Cost of Attendance (COA). The Cost of Attendance is the maximum amount of financial aid from all resources that a student may receive in an academic year. The COA is not limited to only tuition and books, however. It may include on campus living costs; an average amount for travel to and from class; an average cost for classroom supplies; as well as a few incidentals. Federal law governs which expenses may be considered in the Cost of Attendance as well as how the institution may determine these averages. 

Two key factors in determining how the average costs are totaled each year to arrive at a student’s annual maximum aid eligibility or Cost of Attendance (COA) are:

1. actual tuition costs
2. the number of weeks actually enrolled.  

Each year, to provide notification of your maximum eligibility from all resources available, it is Belhaven’s policy to pre-award every student assuming fulltime enrollment and four months of attendance each semester.  However, situations can arise that prevent a student attending the full semester or meeting the fulltime definition. Therefore, as a matter of federal aid compliance, Student Financial Aid will be verifying enrollment schedules for all pre-registered students during the first month of each semester; August, January and May. Any schedule not meeting the federal student aid requirements for fulltime will require adjustments to the student’s annual cost of attendance.

 

Belhaven University participates in an active confirmation process in regards to all student loans. This means that Belhaven University will NOT accept student loans on the behalf of the student. It is the student’s responsibility to review their loan eligibility on BlazeNet and determine the amount of the offered loan to accept or decline.

Students also need to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (and PLUS loan Master Promissory Note if applicable) along with Direct Loan Entrance Counseling (and PLUS Loan Counseling if applicable) before we can disburse the loan funds.

 

Federal regulations require student loans to be disbursed equally throughout the student’s attendance pattern and that disbursements are made each semester. Disbursement dates are determined by the program or semester in which the student is enrolled. Adult and Online Students are assigned a Fall/Spring/Summer attendance pattern. This means the loan is split equally between the three award periods and disbursed accordingly.

 

Disbursement dates are approximately three weeks after the beginning of each semester to allow time for class participation verification. The student will be notified when student loan money arrives.  In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), information regarding arrival of federal aid proceeds are not discussed over the phone.

 

Financial aid will be defined as Title IV HEA federal grants, loans, and work-study, and state grants.

Institutional aid will be defined as scholarships offered by Belhaven University.

Financial aid and institutional aid policies are not directly related to policies for academic admission. The Registrar’s Office sets and monitors academic admission policies such as academic suspension and academic dismissal. Reinstatement to Belhaven University after an academic suspension or dismissal does not ensure that financial aid will also be reinstated.

A student’s SAP will be evaluated at the end of each semester.  To maintain SAP, a student must meet the following standards.

1. An undergraduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and a graduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
   1. Transfer students - Belhaven University does not transfer grades from previous schools (credits toward a degree are accepted, but grades are not accepted). Cumulative GPA will be calculated based only on the student’s work at Belhaven.
   2. Some financial aid programs require a higher GPA than what is required to maintain SAP. A student could meet the requirements for SAP, but still lose eligibility for one or more financial aid programs. A student should be aware of the requirements necessary to maintain eligibility for all of his or her financial aid programs.
2. A student must successfully complete at least 67% of his or her cumulative course work attempted. This is calculated by the number of hours earned divided by the number of hours attempted.
   1. All courses attempted and those taken elsewhere, which are recognized by the Registrar’s Office, with the exception of remedial courses, are counted as hours attempted. Remedial courses are not considered part of the student’s attempted hours.
   2. Classes from which a student withdraws (W), withdraws passing (WP), or withdraws failing (WF) are counted as hours attempted. Classes with a grade of W, WP, and WF are not considered part of a student’s GPA calculation.
   3. Credit hours earned by testing or other non-standard means are counted in the SAP calculations as both hours attempted and hours earned. This includes hours earned from exams, AP courses, CLEP, PEP, DANTES, and military credits.
   4. Repeated classes are considered part of the hours attempted. A student can receive financial aid for repeating a class as long as he or she earned an “F” in the class. A student can receive financial aid once for repeating a class that he or she has passed.
   5. A course with a grade of incomplete will be counted as hours attempted. A student may request his or her SAP be reevaluated once a final grade has been posted.
3. A student who exceeds 150% of the required hours for his or her program is not making SAP. Once a student, pursuing a 124 hour degree, attempts 186 hours (150% X 124 hours) he or she will no longer be making SAP. This is referred to as Maximum Time Frame in the Department of Education Federal Regulations. Hours used in determining whether a student has reached 150% are defined as hours attempted in #2.

*Students deemed not making SAP and taking classes during the summer can have their SAP reevaluated with their summer work included. It is the student’s responsibility to request a reevaluation.
 

A STUDENT’S SAP STATUS WILL FALL INTO ONE OF FOUR CATEGORIES

Good Standing - eligible to receive financial aid

A status assigned to a student that is meeting all the SAP requirements.
 

Financial Aid Warning - eligible to receive financial aid

A status assigned to a student who fails to meet standard #1 and/or #2 at the end of a fall or spring semester. A financial aid warning letter will be emailed to the student reminding him or her that failing to meet all the SAP standards will result in Financial Aid Probation. A student does not lose financial aid as a result of being on financial aid warning. A student can lose financial aid because he or she was not making SAP without receiving a financial aid warning.
 

Financial Aid Probation - eligible to receive financial aid

A status assigned to a student who following a semester on Financial Aid Warning fails to make SAP. The student is placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The student successfully appeals and is granted financial aid for one more semester. A student is granted one probation semester.
 

Financial Aid Suspension - not eligible to receive financial aid

A status assigned to a student who following a semester on Financial Aid Warning fails to make SAP. The student’s appeal was not granted. A student will remain on Financial Aid Suspension until he or she meets all of the SAP standards or has a successful appeal.
 

APPEAL PROCESS

Appeal

A process by which a student who is not meeting the institution’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards petitions the institution for reconsideration of his or her eligibility for title IV, HEA program assistance.

A student placed on Financial Aid Suspension has the option to appeal. The student must submit an appeal form to Student Financial Services at Belhaven University explaining, in detail, any extenuating circumstances (death of a relative, an injury or illness, or other special circumstances) that led to the student’s Financial Aid Suspension. Any documentation supporting the student’s case is welcomed. The appeal and any documentation will be presented to the Financial Aid SAP Appeal Committee. If the appeal is approved, the student will have his or her financial aid for one more semester. The student must meet all specific requirements as determined by the committee.

Following an appeal, the student will be sent an email with the ruling of the Financial Aid SAP Appeal Committee. If the appeal is granted, the email will explain any specific requirements the committee would like the student to fulfill. Failure to comply will result in the immediate termination of the committee’s granting of financial aid. Financial aid disbursed based on the committee’s decision may have to be returned.

A successful appeal to the Registrar’s Office concerning an academic suspension or dismissal does not imply a successful Financial Aid appeal. A student will have to submit a separate appeal to the Financial Aid Office to have his or her SAP status reconsidered.
 

REESTABLISHING FINANCIAL AID

For a student to reestablish his or her financial aid, the student must bring his or her cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or 3.0 respectively (see #1) and successfully complete at least 67% of his or her cumulative course work attempted (see #2). Students who have exceeded the maximum timeframe will not have their financial aid reestablished without a successful appeal.

SPECIAL NOTE:  A veteran student who has been placed on probation for three consecutive three-hour courses and does not achieve the required GPA of 2.0 will be reported to Department of Veteran Affairs as not meeting the standards of progress.

 

Failure to return on schedule, a second unscheduled interruption, or an absence not reported, may result in financial aid being canceled. This may result in beginning the grace/repayment period of your Federal student loan effective the last date of attendance. In the event a student drops from a course before the course begins with intentions to reenter the next course in sequence, the regular financial aid disbursements will be adjusted accordingly. If a withdrawal occurs after the course begins, the student may find that financial aid will not cover all course work toward the end of his/her program. Each case is individual. Students must be personally responsible for the financial aid ramifications of any withdrawal from the program.

 

Failure to return on schedule, a second unscheduled interruption, or an absence not reported, may result in financial aid being canceled. This may result in beginning the grace/repayment period of your Federal student loan effective the last date of attendance. In the event a student drops from a course before the course begins with intentions to reenter the next course in sequence, the regular financial aid disbursements will be adjusted accordingly. If a withdrawal occurs after the course begins, the student may find that financial aid will not cover all course work toward the end of his/her program. Each case is individual. Students must be personally responsible for the financial aid ramifications of any withdrawal from the program.

STUDENTS RECEIVING FEDERALLY FUNDED TITLE IV FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

If a student withdraws from a course it could result in a portion or all of financial aid funds being returned to the lender. Additionally, if a student withdraws from the University on or before the 60% point in time of the period of enrollment, calculated using calendar days, a portion of the total of Title IV funds awarded a student (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loan, or Federal PLUS Loan) must be returned, according to the provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. The calculation for the return of funds may result in the student owing a balance to the University and/or the federal government.

The refund to the Title IV programs must be returned in the following order:

1. Federal unsubsidized Direct Loan
2. Federal subsidized Direct Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan    
4. Federal Plus Loan
5. Federal Pell Grant
6. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
7. TEACH Grant
8. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
    

The federal Title IV written refund policy and method of calculation is available in the financial aid office.

 

VETERANS’ BENEFITS

Certain armed service veterans and dependents who qualify under federal laws administered by the Veterans’ Administration (VA) are eligible to receive educational benefits. Information about these programs may be obtained by writing the state veterans administration office or by visiting www.vets.gov.  Each recipient of VA benefits enrolled at Belhaven University is expected to become familiar with, and to adhere to, all academic policies stated in the current issue of the Belhaven University catalogue.

Veteran students intending to use their education benefits should notify their enrollment counselor and provide a copy of their certificate of Eligibility (COE) DD214 form for their student file. VA students who have received benefits before at another institution should complete VA form 22-1995 (Change of Program or Place) upon being admitted to Belhaven. Those applying for benefits for the first time will complete VA form 22-1990. Forms can be completed online here.
 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION BENEFITS

Individuals with physical disabilities caused by their military service may receive financial aid from state departments of vocational rehabilitation. Detailed information is available through the departments of vocational rehabilitation in the student’s home state.

 

Any account balance due for any preceding session/term must be paid before a student will be enrolled for the succeeding session/term unless satisfactory payment arrangements have been made. The Registrar is not permitted to release transcripts until all indebtedness to the University is paid. A student who has not made satisfactory arrangements with Student Financial Services regarding his account may be administratively withdrawn from Belhaven University.

Students who withdraw voluntarily or administratively and have an unpaid balance, for which satisfactory payment arrangements have not been made, will have their account sent to an outside collection agency for collections. Should this action be taken by the University, the student will be responsible for the balance and any additional collection charges and fees related to the collection of the debt. The outstanding balance will also be reported to the credit bureau. All transcripts and diplomas will be held until the balance is paid in full.

Students who are admitted to the University accept as contractual all the terms and regulations set forth in this catalogue and are liable for the payment of all charges and fees incurred during their stay at the University.

 

Since Belhaven University provides a way for students to commit to degree completion, withdrawals from the program are few. However, the following policies exist for the extreme conditions that may necessitate reimbursement.

All refunds for charges to the student’s account will be granted on the basis of the date on which notification of the student’s intentions was received.

The Application Fee is nonrefundable.

Upon notification of withdrawal received prior to the first class session, a 100% refund for tuition will be given.

If the student never attends the course, all tuition charges will be cancelled and credits will be returned to the source of the payment made on account.
 

TUITION CHARGES SHALL BE REFUNDED AS FOLLOWS

• 3 WEEK COURSES
  • Before the 8th day: 100%
  • After the seventh day: 0%
• 7 WEEK COURSES
  • Before the 8th day: 100%
  • Before the 15th day: 50%
  • Before the 22nd day: 25%
  • After the twenty-first day: 0%
• 15-16 WEEK COURSES
  • Before the 8th day: 100%
  • Before the 15th day: 75%
  • Before the 22nd day: 50%
  • Before the 29th day: 25%
  • After the twenty-eighth day: 0%
     

Fees will also be refunded at 100% should the student drop during the Add/Drop period.

* Some charges, such as student insurance or non-refundable deposits, may not be refunded after the student attends class.

Students admitted provisionally will be fully refunded only for courses not taken.

Financial aid refunds are returned to the appropriate sources.

Refunds are not allowed after the first class session of courses taken for one-hour credit.

A student who is dismissed for disciplinary reasons forfeits the right to a refund of any charges.

Students have one week to receive a full refund if they decide to cancel their admission to Belhaven University.
 

PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL

When the student fills out the withdrawal notification form on Blazenet of a student’s intent to withdraw from the University or in cases of an administrative withdrawal, a student will receive a 100% refund/credit for all courses for which the student has not attended.

 

In concurrence with state law, students or guests may not sell, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages on the campus or on the premises of any organization granted recognition by Belhaven University. Procedures for adjudicating violations of Belhaven’s alcohol policy are as follows:

• Persons/organizations in violation of Belhaven’s alcohol policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including possible dismissal from University.
• Students in violation of Belhaven’s alcohol policy will be asked to leave the campus or premises. Failure to comply will result in civil/legal action. (Hosts shall be responsible for the actions of their guests.)
• The University supports the federal and state laws with regard to drug use. No controlled substances shall be sold, possessed, or used on the Belhaven University campus, in any of its facilities, or in a facility used by an organization recognized by Belhaven University. Any person abusing controlled substances shall be subject to penalties including immediate dismissal from the University.
• Possession, sale, or consumption of alcoholic beverages or any controlled substances is prohibited at all study group meetings.
  
   

GENERAL CODE

• Disruptive behavior in the physical classroom or the virtual classroom is not permitted. Students will receive a warning and may be asked to leave the classroom if necessary.
• Tardiness for a campus or virtual class is unacceptable. Students are expected to be in the classroom when class begins and to remain there until the class is finished. Students who arrive 20 minutes late or leave 20 minutes early will be marked absent.  See complete attendance policy on page 33.
• It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the completion of exams and course work missed because of an absence from class, late arrival, late submission, or early departure. This should be arranged with the faculty member.
• It is the student’s responsibility to provide for supervision of his/her children while they are on campus for class, in a virtual class, and for all project team meetings. Children should not be brought into classrooms nor left unattended while on campus.
• It is the student’s responsibility to aid in keeping classrooms neat and orderly. Food and drink are usually allowed in the classroom, as long as students clean up after themselves.
• The use of tobacco in any form is not allowed in the classroom, the computer lab, or in any other public building on campus. Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. Cheating implies dishonesty or deception in fulfilling academic requirements. Plagiarism involves the presentation of some other person’s work or idea as if it were the work of the presenter. A faculty member has authority to grant a failing grade in cases of academic misconduct as well as referring the case to the Dean.
• Any furnishing of false information to the University by forgery, alteration, or misuse of - among other things - university documents or records or ID’s or falsifying identification to a university official is prohibited.
• Project team assignments and meetings constitute an essential element of the program’s educational format.  Project team logs are considered official documentation of attendance.  Any false information provided on a log is considered an honor code violation and is grounds for expulsion from the program.
• All accounts must be kept current. Belhaven University reserves the right to withhold grades, transcripts, diplomas, participation in graduation, and registration of students who fail to pay any university and/or university-related debts.
• Possessing any form of pornography on the Belhaven campus including the accessing of pornography through computer networks is not permitted.
• Students will avoid any type of disparaging, offensive, or threatening language directed at any Belhaven student, staff, or faculty. This includes profanity, as well as any language with racial or sexual overtones. This language must be avoided in person, by email, by text message, and in Canvas.  Upon the first offense, the student will receive a warning and may fail the course. Upon the second offense, the student may be disenrolled from the university.  
• Students, faculty, and staff are expected to dress in a manner that is respectful of others and is reflective of Christian character. The following guidelines will allow students to make wise choices about their dress on campus, for a virtual class, and at all University sponsored events:
  • Clothing with advertising, pictures and/or sayings that are contrary to the University mission and University policy is not permitted, including, but not limited to, clothing that demeans and/or dramatizes sexuality or promotes alcohol or drugs.
  • Clothing that bares the midriff and/or exposes cleavage as well as inappropriately short and/or revealing skirts, shorts, pants, and shirts are not permitted.
  • Shirts and shoes must be worn in all public buildings.
    
     

Belhaven University is in compliance with the obligations set forth under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The University does not unlawfully discriminate against persons with disabilities, and furthermore, it provides reasonable accommodations to qualified disabled students. Persons who believe that they require special accommodations should contact Student Services.
 

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 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other pertinent federal, state, and local disability antidiscrimination laws. Student Services personnel will serve as the Complaint Coordinators.

• Applicants or students shall file complaints, in writing, with the Office of Student Services. 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 45 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 30 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.
  
   

Every Belhaven University student is responsible for conforming to all university rules, expectations, and policies.  Proven failure to meet this obligation will result in the appropriate disciplinary action, which may include a fine, probation, community service, suspension from the University, and/or other sanctions.
 

UNIVERSITY STUDENT DISCIPLINE

The Director of Student Services along with the Dean are designated as the university officials responsible for the enforcement of all Community Expectations of adult students including community general policies. The Dean, in conjunction with the Assistant Vice President for Adult Studies, are designated as the university officials responsible for supporting faculty members in the adjudication of Honor Code violations.
Belhaven reserves the right to discipline any student who violates university policies and regulations.  Such discipline may include, but is not limited to, fines, suspension of certain privileges, community service, or mandatory withdrawal from the University.

DISCIPLINARY PROCESS FOR VIOLATION OF GENERAL COMMUNITY POLICIES:

1. A complaint is filed with the Office of Student Services.
2. A University official (Director of Student Services or other designee) makes a decision concerning the severity of the complaint filed. If the offense is serious, then disciplinary action takes place.
3. The following general procedure is followed on complaints deemed serious by the Director to merit official disciplinary action (note: the Director may appoint a designee to administer cases):
   1. The accused receives written notice of charges and meets with the Director to discuss the disciplinary process and to enter a plea.
   2. If the student pleads guilty, a sanction is administered by the Director. The student receives notice of any sanction in writing.
   3. If the student pleads innocent, the student will have a hearing with the Director and Dean.
   4. Steps for the hearing
      1. A hearing is held in which the accused makes a plea and witnesses may be called to testify.
      2. The Director and Dean make a decision based upon the hearing
      3. The student receives written notice of the decision and, if applicable, sanction.
      4. The student is notified in writing of the right to appeal the decision to the Assistant Vice President of Adult Studies or a designee within 48 hours of receiving the written sanction. The appeal should be written and should state the reason for appeal as one of the following:
         1. Procedural violations;
         2. Sanction inconsistencies;
         3. New evidence
      5. The Assistant Vice President for Adult Studies or a designee will consider the reason(s) for the appeal and case evidence and will render a decision based on all information. The student will be notified of the decision in writing within a reasonable time not to exceed 10 days. This decision is considered final.
          

Failure to comply with disciplinary sanctions usually results in immediate indefinite suspension from the University, without appeal.  Belhaven University reserves the right to suspend a student from campus in certain situations pending final adjudication of a case.  The nature of some situations may necessitate the immediate dismissal or removal of the person for the good of the community. Disciplinary sanctions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Disciplinary Warning - an official reprimand informing the student of the violation of the Belhaven University standards. It includes a warning concerning future behavior.
• Fines - requiring the student to pay a sum of money because of breaking a University standard.
• Restitution - replacing of damaged or stolen property, the value of such property, and reconciliation for the wrong.
• Counseling - requiring the student to enter counseling in order to explore the cause and reasons for violations of University standards.
• Community Service - requiring the student to provide service as part of restitution and/or part of a learning growth process concerning the violation of University standards.
• Disciplinary Probation - indicating to the student that further violation shall result in more severe disciplinary action, usually suspension.  This action shall be imposed for a specific period of time.
• Disciplinary Suspension - denying the student the privilege of attending Belhaven University for a definite period of time.  The suspended student must follow a written policy of appeal to re-enter the University.
• Expulsion - denying the student the privilege of attending Belhaven University.
  
   

The Belhaven University Honor Code states that:

• One will neither give nor receive aid on any form or test nor on any form of assigned work where such aid is prohibited.
• One will not steal.
• One will not make any form of false statement in official matters.
• One will not plagiarize the work of others
• Any violation of the Honor Code should be reported to the Dean.

All communication between students and other students, or between students and faculty, must be conducted in a manner that is respectful, using language that is professional.
 

DISCIPLINARY PROCESS FOR VIOLATION OF ACADEMIC HONOR CODE

Since Academic Misconduct/Honor Code violations are related to a student’s class work, the appropriate response is vested in the professor. (See the section on Plagiarism for specific information on the discipline process for plagiarism.) If a student disagrees with a professor’s handling of the incident, an appeal may be made to the Dean of Faculty. Honor Code violations may also be filed by students or faculty to the respective Dean of Faculty, depending on the location of the incident. The following general procedure is followed in Academic Misconduct/Honor Code cases:

1. The faculty member has the authority to impose a sanction in response to student academic misconduct. The student has 48 hours to appeal the faculty member’s decision in writing to the Dean of Faculty who will consider the reason(s) for appeal and case evidence and will render a decision based on all information. The student will be notified of the decision in writing within a reasonable time not to exceed 10 days. This decision is considered final.
2. The case may be referred by the faculty member to the Dean of Faculty (or a designee) who will observe the following procedure:
   1. The accused receives written notice of charges and meets with the Dean of Faculty to discuss the disciplinary process and to enter a plea.
   2. If the student pleads guilty, a sanction is administered by the Dean of Faculty. The student receives notice of any sanction in writing.
   3. If the student pleads innocent, the student will have a hearing with the State Dean of Faculty.
       

The following general procedure is followed:

1. A hearing is held in which the accused makes a plea and witnesses may be called to testify.
2. The Dean of Faculty makes a decision based upon the hearing.
3. The student receives written notice of the decision and, if applicable, sanction.
4. The student is notified in writing of the right to appeal the decision to the Assistant Vice President for Adult Studies or a designee within 48 hours of receiving the written sanction. The appeal should be written and should state the reason for appeal as one of the following:
   1. Procedural violations;
   2. Sanction inconsistencies;
   3. New evidence.
5. The Associate Vice President for Adult Studies or a designee will consider the reason(s) for appeal and case evidence and will render a decision based on all information. The student will be notified of the decision in writing within a reasonable time not to exceed 10 days. This decision is considered final.
    

Disciplinary sanctions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A failing grade on the work in progress;
• A failing grade in the course;
• Suspension from the University for a specified minimum time;
• Dismissal from the University.
  
   

FIRE EVACUATION

Students are required to exit the building immediately any time the fire alarm sounds! Students should become familiar with the fire exits in each building. Students are to evacuate the building immediately and stay at least 50 feet away from the building until the “all clear” signal is given from an appropriate staff member.
 

SEVERE WEATHER (TORNADO)

When a TORNADO WATCH is issued, students should be prepared to move to a pre-selected area of safety on the ground floor or basement. In the event of a TORNADO WARNING, students should proceed at once in an orderly fashion to a pre-selected area of safety on the ground floor or basement. All students should remain in this designated area until authorization to leave is confirmed by a Belhaven official. Should a tornado hit the campus or immediate area, everyone should restrict his or her movement until the area is cleared of hazards such as power lines, gas lines, and unstable structures.
 

SEVERE WEATHER (SNOW / ICE / HURRICANE)

Students should monitor the Belhaven web site at www.belhaven.edu, their campus Facebook pages, and/or Twitter in the event that a snow, ice, or hurricane event is projected to impact one of the Belhaven campuses. Email notifications will be sent to student Belhaven email addresses should the decision be made to close the campus. The class time missed due to a campus closure will be made up. The professor and/or Dean of Faculty will work to reschedule missed classes with the minimum of disruption to the current class schedule.

 

The University will not tolerate any untoward behavior of its students, on campus or off campus in an academic-related activity. References of a sexual or predatory nature made to students or faculty will be cause for the suspension of and possibly the reporting of the person involved in the remark or action.

Students are reminded of the efforts of Belhaven University to teach Christian morality and professional demeanor in all of its programs. The burden is upon the student to guard his/her conduct in this very serious matter. Be aware that “joking” or “kidding” could be misunderstood.

Complaints alleging sexual harassment should be reported to the Dean within 45 calendar days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. Complainants may request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he/she is dissatisfied with the resolution by making requests for reconsideration to the Provost.

 

Belhaven University recognizes the effects and costs of smoking, tobacco, and nicotine use on our society. The University is committed to promoting a healthy environment for its students, staff and visitors without the hazards associated with these products. This policy establishes the University as a smoke free institution and includes but is not limited to cigarettes, any form of tobacco, and devices such as e-cigarettes, pipes, vaporizers. The use of these items is prohibited in all property owned by the University and including vehicles and property leased by the institution, campus grounds, parking lots, garages, plazas and courtyards. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and other persons on campus, regardless of the purpose for their visit.  This policy is the same for all Belhaven branch campuses.

 

In a day in which moral relativism has become epidemic, it seems necessary to address the issue of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a practice that has become increasingly easy due to modern technology. Plagiarism is not only widespread on college campuses but has also been engaged in by leading historians. Belhaven University, with its emphasis on applying a biblical worldview to all of life and biblical ethics in the marketplace, must raise a high standard of honesty and responsibility with regard to research and writing.

The Bible teaches that God honors honesty and fair dealing.  God will bless the person who “walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks the truth” from the heart (English Standard Version, Ps. 15.2; see also Prov. 20.7). Only responsible, honest research fulfills this high ethical standard.
 

RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH

Responsible research is a critical component of a liberal arts education. Students must learn how to investigate, read, understand, systematize, interpret, and finally explain complex ideas and issues in writing. There is no shortcut to good research and writing. Students gain immensely from personal experience with the research process, the broader and deeper knowledge of areas of academic study, and the discipline of summarizing their findings in a clear and orderly form.

Responsible research includes giving credit to all materials on which students rely in the research process. Students must realize that they are not experts; they rely on experts and must therefore fully credit these expert sources. Students must acknowledge all sources of ideas, words, phrases, or sentences included in the research paper.

One of the best ways to avoid plagiarism is to read thoroughly to gain an understanding of source materials and then, without looking at the source, give one’s own summary or evaluation.

Good research and writing is hard work. The Bible teaches that God blesses diligent, righteous labor (Prov. 12.20, 27). The Bible stresses that work should be performed in such a manner as will please God who always sees not only what pleases people when they are watching (ESV, Col. 3.22-24).
 

PLAGIARISM DEFINED

Plagiarism involves the presentation of some other person’s work or idea as if it were the work of the presenter. It is a violation of the Belhaven Honor Code and is clearly unacceptable.
Plagiarism includes the following:

1. The presentation of some other person’s work or idea as if it were the work of the presenter. It is a violation of the Belhaven Honor Code and is clearly unacceptable.
2. Submitting a paper written by someone other than the student. (such plagiarism would also include parts of the paper written by someone other than the student.)
3. Quoting from source materials without using quotation marks or block indentations to show that the material quoted as required in acceptable documentation.
4. Failing to give proper credit (i.e. a reference citation or other notation) in a paper for all ideas, phrases, quotes, or concepts used in the paper. Typically, references must be made for all sources within each paragraph. Style forms may vary in the reference content. Students should consult an English handbook for more detail on plagiarism.
5. Using papers/assignments submitted in a previous course to fulfill an assignment in a current course is considered plagiarism, however, a student may quote from the previous assignment as long as it is properly cited. (self-plagiarism)
6. Enabling academic dishonesty (contract cheating), i.e. helping another student violate the standards on Academic Integrity, is unacceptable and could result in censure or disenrollment. Masking of IP addresses is not permitted when accessing the Belhaven University LMS (Learning Management System - Canvas) as it is a common method of hiding contract cheating. Examples include: allowing one’s work to be copied, working together on an assignment where collaboration is not allowed (such as a quiz or exam, etc.), doing work for another student, or submitting work for a course to an internet site which other students can use to violate these standards.
    

CONSEQUENCES OF PLAGIARISM

• The first instance of plagiarism within a course will result in a zero grade for that assignment.
• The second instance of plagiarism with a course will result in a ‘F’ grade for the course. The student will have received notice from the Instructor and Administration of the policies related to plagiarism as well as have had sufficient resources to avoid plagiarism. (If the same student plagiarizes in another course the student will receive an “F” grade for the course and the student will receive a warning that another incidence of plagiarism could result in a temporary six-month suspension from the program.)
• The third instance of plagiarism by the same student will receive an “F” grade for the course and the student may be temporally suspended, based on determination of an Administrative Committee.
• A fourth instance of plagiarism will result in the permanent dismissal from the university.
   

TOOLS TO HELP STUDENTS AVOID PLAGIARISM

• Use Grammarly
• Use correct APA formatted citations
• Start writing early and submit a draft to Tutor.com
   

SPECIFIC PRACTICES TO AVOID

• Do not attempt to get a research paper off the Internet (or anywhere else) and submit this for your paper, as this is dishonest and unethical.
• Do not merely copy from any book, article, or encyclopedia and submit this for your paper. This is not acceptable research.
• Do not fail to include references (including source and page numbers) which document every source which you have in any way relied upon for each paragraph of your paper. If sources are not properly referenced, the student has cheated the sources out of deserved credit and cheated readers out of valuable information.
• Do not use material from any other student’s paper or work unless you give that student full credit in reference notes.
• Do not use material submitted in another class.
• Do not hire someone to write your paper.
  
   

For security reasons, when on campus all students are required to have a validated Belhaven identification card. This card is used for all university-related business and activities. There is a $5.00 charge for replacement cards. Students may complete the “Security ID Form” on Blazenet and pick up their ID at the security office on campus.

 

Students will be notified by e-mail from the professor or Student Services of any cancellation of a campus class meeting due to extenuating circumstances. It is the students’ responsibility each week to check their Belhaven e-mail to assure that class has not been canceled.

 

Belhaven University believes that learning can be demonstrated through typical assessments such as tests, quizzes, papers, and class participation. However, we also believe that learning occurs beyond engaging in these assessments and that class attendance enhances learning in immeasurable ways.

DE-REGISTRATION

Students who do not complete the class participation quiz by Tuesday of the second week of class will be de-registered.
 

ATTENDANCE

Adult Studies and Virtual Interactive Live Stream (ILS) Courses

Class attendance is important for courses and missing two nights will result in a student’s final grade being lowered by one letter grade. Missing three nights or more will result in a letter grade of F for the course. Arriving more than 20 minutes late or leaving more than 20 minutes early will be counted as an absence.
 

ONLINE COURSES

Attendance is measured by a student’s interaction with the course through submitting an assignment, taking a quiz, or posting to the discussion forum. If the student performs any of these elements, he or she is marked present for that week. If not, the student is marked absent.
 

ONLINE AND GRADUATE (7-WEEKS COURSES)

• Three tardies equals an absence.
• Two absences equals a whole grade reduction of the final grade.
• Three absences equals an ‘F’ grade for the course, no exceptions allowed.

ONLINE AND GRADUATE (14-WEEK COURSES)

• Three tardies equals an absence.
• Three absences equals a whole grade reduction of the final grade.
• Five absences equals an ‘F’ grade for the course, no exceptions allowed.

DOCTORAL DISSERTATION COURSES

To ensure that the educational experience of all doctoral students is robust and constructive, students are expected to actively participate by completing dissertation-related activities. If a student fails to complete the course requirements, then the student risks failing the course. Any student who may have difficulty participating and/or completing a course is strongly encouraged to contact his/her Dissertation Chair/Advisor. Failure to submit work by the deadline will result in an absence for that week.

 

Each student is provided with a course module. On-campus and virtual synchronous classes meet with a faculty member each week. In addition, some classes require Project Teams (3-5 individuals) to meet without the faculty member to complete assignments as outlined in the course module. The students themselves set meeting times for the Project Teams.

Online classes have discussions and assignments each week. In addition, some classes have team assignments that will require you to meet in person or via Zoom.

 

1. Classes meet from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Central, including a short 10-minute break halfway, on the same day of the week each week.
2. Classes are composed of two Instructional periods divided by a short break (10 minutes).
3. Regular attendance policies apply.
   1. Three tardies equal an absence.
   2. Two absences equal a whole grade reduction of the final grade.
   3. Three absences equal an ‘F’ grade for the course; no exceptions allowed.
4. For virtual class sessions:
   1. Students must be present for at least all of one of the instructional periods to be counted present.
   2. Students must participate using a webcam and microphone. (webcam must be on the entire time)
   3. Students with a blank screen (i.e. not showing an active picture of themselves) for 10 minutes or more will be considered tardy.
   4. Students will participate as called upon by the Instructor, including participating in group activities.
5. All other assignments, etc., will be the same as for the on-ground class.
6. Tests will be taken in Canvas independently of class time.
7. If the Instructor believes there is sufficient cause to move the virtual session to another night due to inclement weather or other localized emergencies, he/she will notify the students of the change in Announcements.
   
    

One of the primary aims of Belhaven University is to promote excellence in the classroom; students are expected to follow their professor’s lead. They are to show respect for the University, its employees, their fellow students, and campus visitors. Students’ behavior should be guided by Christian principles in all of their daily activities. Students should refer to the class module for expectations specific to each class.

The Belhaven faculty has established the following general expectations:

1. Professors may issue a warning for those students who are disruptive in class. If the disruption continues, they may ask those students to leave the class. Those students will receive an absence for that day.
2. Honesty is expected in all course work.
3. Students who show zeal for learning by being in the classroom and prepared as their classes begin usually achieve high marks.
4. Professors will be sensitive to extraordinary circumstances if the student is normally attentive and consistent.
5. Belhaven students take responsibility to initiate the completion of exams and course work missed because of an absence. The professor has the right to determine policies regarding make-up exams and course work and is not required to re-teach material. Therefore, save “cuts” for emergencies ONLY!
   
    

It is the responsibility of each student to purchase or rent textbooks and materials for each class for which they are enrolled. Students may purchase or rent from the Belhaven Barnes and Noble Bookstore or a book vendor of their choosing here. Students should purchase or rent their books at least a week in advance of the start of class.

The Curriculum module is made available through the course website in Canvas approximately one week before the beginning of the course.

 

Students may have a variety of technology devices present in the classroom, including laptop computers, tablets, smartphone, etc. In most cases, the devises are used to take notes or otherwise support what is going on in class. However, the instructor has the right to limit access to any of these devices if it is determined that the student is not using the device appropriately within the class. Cellphones should be placed on mute at the beginning of class and only answered if the call is an emergency. The student should step out of the room to take the call if it is an emergency.

 

Belhaven University, as a Christian liberal arts institution, has a special set of interests and purposes essential to effective functioning. These include: (a) the opportunity for students to attain their educational objectives, (b) the creation and maintenance of an intellectual, spiritual, and educational atmosphere throughout the University, and (c) the protection of the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University and the safety and property of Belhaven itself. The University has a clear responsibility, in the area of student conduct, to protect and promote the pursuit of its goals. The Community Expectations emphasize the University’s obligation to promote the personal freedom, maturity, and responsibility of students.  Student organizations which are recognized by the University share these common bonds.  Students and student organizations are expected to obey federal, state, and local laws, and in addition, must abide by the policies and Community Expectations of the University. The Community Expectations set forth those acts which constitute unacceptable conduct for students of Belhaven University.

The student or student organizations recognized by Belhaven University accepts the responsibility to conform to all Belhaven University policies and expectations. Proven failure to meet this obligation will justify appropriate disciplinary sanctions including, but not limited to, dismissal, suspension, disciplinary probation, or disciplinary warning. Although the University will make every reasonable effort to make the policies and expectations available, students are responsible for becoming familiar with them.

The classrooms, student center, and project team locations are places to learn, to socialize and to grow. Each person must be recognized to have certain rights which do not conflict with the Community Expectations nor infringe upon the rights of others in the spirit of the University motto “to served, and not be served.” 

These rights include the following:

• The right to study without distraction.
• The right to personal privacy.
• The right to study in a clean environment.
• The right to be treated with respect and dignity.
• The right to hold different values.
• The right to redress grievances.
• The right to serve the community.
  
   

Academic honors are calculated after all final grades are posted for bachelor degree students and according to Belhaven quality points. Honors are not given at the associate degree or master degree level. Academic honors are announced only at the time of the graduation ceremony lineup  and are not available to students prior to this time.

The following academic honors are recognized at graduation:

• GRADUATION “WITH HONORS”
  • A minimum of 45 academic hours carrying quality points at Belhaven.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 at Belhaven.
• GRADUATION WITH CUM LAUDE, MAGNA CUM LAUDE, SUMMA CUM LAUDE
  • A minimum of 60 academic hours carrying quality points at Belhaven.
  • Cum Laude - a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 at Belhaven.
  • Magna Cum Laude - a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 at Belhaven.
  • Summa Cum Laude - a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.9 at Belhaven.

Belhaven University baccalaureate degree-seeking students who graduate with academic honors will wear Belhaven University honor cords for the graduation commencement ceremonies. Students are not allowed to wear any other regalia from societies, fraternities/sororities, or organizations not affiliated directly with Belhaven University.

 

As stated in the constitution and by-laws, the purpose of the Belhaven University Alumni Association “shall be to advance the cause of Christian higher education, to unite all the alumni of Belhaven University into a compact organization so that they may more effectively communicate with each other and with the University on matters of mutual interest, to arrange for alumni reunions, and in other ways support the work of the University’s Alumni Office.” The Office of Alumni Relations is located in Fitzhugh Hall at 1500 Peachtree Street. The affairs of the association are managed by alumni councils, which are elected to serve two-year terms beginning at the annual business meeting each year.

Alumni return to campus each fall, at which time the presentations are made of the Alumnus of the Year Award, Distinguished Service to Mankind Award, Alumni Church Award, Alumni Community Service Award, and Adult Student Leader Award.

The Adult Alumni Council works on alumni relations for the adult studies program and assists current students in various ways with their studies.  Adult graduates are encouraged to join the Alumni Association.

 

The following awards are optional and students may be eligible for these depending on which campus they attend:

NEHEMIAH GRADUATE STUDIES AWARD

The Division of Business Administration presents this award to a graduate student each year who has an outstanding academic record and who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and moral integrity.
 

JAMES W. PARK ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION AWARD

The Division of Business Administration presents this award to each graduate who has achieved a quality point index of at least 3.75 at Belhaven University while completing his/her baccalaureate degree in business.  To qualify, a student must complete at least 50 semester hours at Belhaven University and must demonstrate exceptional leadership and moral integrity.
 

WHO’S WHO IN AMERICAN COLLEGES AWARD

This award is presented to students who have distinguished themselves in leadership, academic excellence and participation in campus activities.
 

SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD

Chosen by the faculty, this award goes to the student who best models Jesus’ ministry to those whom society often neglects: the poor, the unlovely, the unsuccessful, the widows and orphans, and those sick in body, mind and spirit - while completing the Bachelor of Social Services degree.
 

STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARD

The Student Citizenship Award is given to the outstanding Belhaven Adult Studies student, who through academic excellence, and selfless involvement in mission, church, community, and campus activities, exemplifies the finest in student servant leadership.  Through demonstrated commitments to love the Lord, to love thy neighbor, and to achieve academic excellence, this student presents a role model for all students to emulate.

 

Students who have completed all degree requirements and have been checked out as final prior to the graduation ceremony date, at the graduation ceremony:

• may have honors recognition (bachelor level only)
• will have degree conferred
• will pick up diploma
   

For the commencement ceremony held in Jackson at the end of the fall semester, all participants must be certified as complete with no degree requirements remaining.

Undergraduate students lacking no more than nine (9) credit hours or graduate level students lacking no more than six (6) credit hours may participate in the graduation ceremony. The remaining hours must be completed on or before the term-end date of the semester following graduation. Before the graduation application deadline, the student must have all remaining courses required for degree completion registered or planned on their BlazeNet Timeline.

Such students may participate in the next ceremony when honors will be recognized; however, students may participate in only one ceremony.

Students may participate in only one graduation ceremony per degree (i.e. Associate, Bachelor, and Master) and may be listed in only one program.  Students must apply for each degree earned and must pay the graduation audit fee for each degree.

 

If all the graduation requirements cannot be met after an Application for Degree Form has been submitted, the Registrar’s Office must be contacted in writing regarding a change in graduation date.

 

All degree requirements must be completed and transcripts received in the Student Services Office. The graduation date is the next graduation date following the degree completion date. Correspondence, directed studies, proficiency exams, portfolios, and other nontraditional course work must be completed, submitted, and transcripted by the semester prior to degree completion term.

 

The Registrar’s Office provides diplomas and certificates for all campuses as follows:
Diplomas and certificates are produced and shipped to each graduate by a third-party company once graduation certification for each term has been completed. An order is then submitted and the company produces, packages, and ships the completed documents within 10 days.

• Spring graduates should expect their diplomas/certificates no later than mid-July.
• Summer graduates should expect their diplomas/certificates no later than mid-October.
• Fall graduates should expect their diplomas/certificates no later than mid-February.
   

A tracking number is provided through your Belhaven email address once your document is shipped. Graduates who do not receive their diploma or certificate by the dates above are advised to call (601) 968-5922.

**All address changes must be received via BlazeNet prior to the end of the graduation semester to ensure your diploma or certificate will be received on time.**

 

It is the responsibility of the student to file an application for graduation. The following procedures should be followed:

1. Complete the Application for Graduation and pay the graduation fee according to instructions available online here. Applications are to be done online. Deadlines for application are approximately three months before the graduation date (see the above web page for exact dates). Only those students who plan to complete degree requirements prior to the upcoming graduation date should apply.
2. If an Application for Graduation Form is not received or a deadline is missed, a diploma cannot be issued until application is made for the next graduation date.
   
    

Belhaven University conducts graduation ceremonies for each campus at least annually. Consult with Student Services at the campus location for schedule.

 

A graduation audit fee is required for all students. The fees associated with graduation are not included in any other program charge. If a diploma has been ordered for a student who has applied for graduation and who does not complete requirements, an additional amount may be charged if the fee has increased when the student actually graduates. A graduation audit fee is required for each degree earned at Belhaven University.

 

After completion of all degree requirements and payment of all outstanding balances, students are eligible to graduate. The student accepts the responsibility of applying for graduation at the proper time and paying the graduation audit fee.

 

Degrees will be posted to transcripts upon completion of all degree requirements according to the following schedule:

• December graduates - no later than the end of the first week of January.
• May graduates - no later than the end of the first week of June.
• August graduates - no later than the end of the first week of September.
   

Students must request transcripts online through https://www.belhaven.edu/registrar/transcripts.htm.

 

Students who have completed all degree requirements and are waiting to receive their diplomas may request a letter of completion from the Student Services Office. An Application for Degree form must be on file in the Student Services Office when the letter is requested.

 

In order to meet the needs of our students, the program provides a combination of traditional instruction and the enhancement of nontraditional instruction and learning that takes place within a Project Team. The Project Team concept involves the sharing of all of these and other available resources as well as the sharing of the varying interpretations of new knowledge resulting from past experiences.

Following are general guidelines for all project teams:

• Project teams may be made up of a minimum of three and maximum of five students, which will meet once each week as assigned in the course module to take charge of their own learning.
• Team members will select team meeting locations.
• Teams will meet in person periodically for an average of four hours.
• Failure to meet will affect the grade of each member. Continuous failure to meet will result in administrative withdrawal for attendance and/or in a grade of “F” in the course.
• All team projects are the responsibility of all members.
• Members will evaluate the significance of the contribution of each member.
• Attendance is verified by students and signed off by the professor.
  
   

Project Teams serve several purposes:

• Achieving the required instructional hours for a course. Each course includes in-class instruction and Project Team interaction. The Project Team meetings take place to help meet the required number of in-class instructional hours. Therefore, Project Team attendance is required just as classroom attendance is, and the Project Teams are required to be diligent in completing all assignments for each week, assuming responsibility for self-management of learning.
• Students are expected to assume responsibility for learning on their own in cooperation with other students. These are students who are in responsible positions in the work-place and who should be able to manage their own learning.  
• Through Project Teams, students have an opportunity to transmit to other team members their expertise, learning, and ideas and in return learn new professional concepts from their fellow students.
• Project Teams provide mutual support through which students can learn to be more efficient problem-solvers. The groups are major learning resources for all involved. Teamwork has become vitally important in today’s world of professional management. Students cooperate in preparing assignments and group oral and written presentations and learn to work in teams. They must blend their strengths into strong, cohesive units, just as they will be required to do in future management positions.
  
   

The location must be approved by the faculty member on the first night of class.

The site selected should be similar to a library (public or university), a company meeting room, a bookstore, or coffee shop.

There should be comfortable seating accommodations for all study group members, preferably with a writing surface for each person.

The environment should be safe and quiet (without loud music), have adequate lighting, provide adequate temperature control, and have restroom facilities for male and female students.

The location should be accessible to all students.

There should be adequate parking for all members.

 

If a severe Project Team problem results in the filing of an appeal, the same procedure will be followed as with the filing of any other appeal.

 

In most cases, Project Team members will work together cooperatively, will provide support for each other, and will even become close friends. It is expected that all members will extend professional courtesy to each other even when differences of opinion become apparent. However, occasionally, personality conflicts may arise, or one or two members may continually fail to be responsible in doing their assignments.

Each team must have a covenant that spells out responsibilities and penalties for members who cause problems - even to the point of dismissing a member or members.

If one Project Team member is unhappy in his/her group, he/she may resign from the Project Team after making arrangements to join another group between courses. Any changes must be discussed with the instructor and proper group size must be maintained.

If a team member does not function with the group effectively, the group should make every effort to confront the member and resolve the situation in a Christ-like manner, according to the charter. If, after giving the ineffective member every opportunity to correct the problem, the member continues to be ineffective, the group has the right to dismiss that member from the group. This procedure should be addressed in the group covenant.

Some ways in which group members may prove to be ineffective members are being contentious, missing too many Project Team meetings, not accepting their share of the workload, or failing to complete work on time. It should be noted that all group members have strengths and weaknesses and that the strengths and weaknesses in a group should blend together for combined strength and effectiveness. Members should strive to be reasonable and patient and should encourage each other in any way possible.

The policy of the Belhaven University administration is not to interfere with the operation of Project Teams. The administration will assist in extreme cases, but no member of the staff or faculty should be expected to mediate (and therefore possibly appear to “take sides”) in a Project Team dispute. Conflict resolution is the responsibility of the team, but the administration will assist in arriving at solutions and will help facilitate any changes resulting from unresolved conflict.

 

Before the end of the first course, each Project Team must submit to the faculty member a Project Team Covenant that outlines the policies of the Project Team and is signed by each member of the team.

Policies should include:

• Group goals and/or purpose.
• Planned meeting time, place, and agenda.
• Clearly understood attendance requirements and penalties for absences.
• Discussion of responsibilities of members within teams.
• Discussion plan for meetings.
• Conflict management and resolution, penalties for constitutional covenant breaches, and plan for constitutional covenant changes.

SAMPLE TEAM COVENANT

On this day, January 5, 2006, we, the members of the Knowledge Seekers Project Team of MBAO-001 at Belhaven University, do hereby establish and commit by these rules of conduct.

PURPOSE

We recognize the importance of teamwork and realize that the success of the individuals in the Project Team will be directly affected by the success of the group. Therefore, we pledge to nurture and support each other and to share knowledge, experience, and resources with each other as we work collectively to profit from our educational program.

MEETINGS

The Knowledge Seekers will meet for four hours every week in a public location, as required by the University, at a time and place decided upon by the group with consideration for the convenience of each member. The agenda for each meeting will be to work on course assignments - not to socialize -although the meetings will be informal. Each meeting will begin with prayer.

ATTENDANCE

Because Project Team attendance is part of the required attendance for a course and because the intense nature of the assignments requires input from everyone, all members are expected to attend all Project Team meetings except in emergency situations. When a member has to miss, he/she is expected to notify at least one person in the Project Team and to send his/her assignments to the meeting. Project Team meeting attendance will be documented weekly on the Project Team attendance log.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Each member will be expected to be on time and arrive with previously assigned work prepared. Each member will be expected to contribute to every meeting and to every group assignment. If a member is absent or has been unable to prepare an assignment and has a reasonable excuse, the other members will “cover” for that member once, with the understanding that the member will do extra work on future assignments. A continuing problem by a member will be grounds for group discipline.

RULES FOR DISCUSSIONS

The group will have a rotating moderator, with every member having a turn to moderate at a Project Team meeting. The moderator will be responsible for seeing that each member has an opportunity to participate in every discussion and that each Project Team meeting is conducted in an orderly fashion. Professional respect and courtesy will be extended to each member. At no time will a group member be allowed to be rude or threatening to another member. All meetings will be handled in a Christ-like manner with the understanding that constructive criticism is welcome, but negative criticism is unacceptable.

RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT

The Knowledge Seekers in a Christ-like and prayerful manner will address any conflict that arises. The matter will be discussed calmly and professionally, with all group members having input.  If a vote is needed, the decision of the majority will rule.

PENALTIES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL BREACHES

Unless the first constitutional breach is one that the group considers major, it will be handled with simply a reprimand from the group. Any further breaches or a first breach that is considered major will result in a mandatory penalty on the Project Team evaluation at the end of the course. A member who continues to be a problem will be discussed with the instructor and may be dismissed from the Project Team by a majority vote.\

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

Any amendments to the Project Team constitution may be made by a majority vote.

 

In addition to the individual grades that a student earns in each course, a group grade is assigned. Arriving at a composite group grade and averaging that with the individual’s grade on the presentation determines the group grade for an oral presentation. This method emphasizes teamwork and rewards superior individual performance. Also, a student who does not participate in an assignment and does not have an excuse may receive an “F” on the individual part of the grade.

The Project Team Evaluation Form completed by each group member will affect the final group grade for the course for each individual. The faculty member averages each student’s score from the forms of his/her group members. If the average is below 4.00, the instructor deducts one letter grade from the student’s group grade. This simply provides another safeguard for the success of the Project Team concept.

 

Arriving at a composite team grade and averaging that with the individual’s grade on the presentation determines the team grade for an oral presentation. A student who does not participate and does not have a reasonable excuse may receive an “F” for the individual part of the grade. In keeping with Belhaven’s vision and mission statement.

Belhaven students are required to complete the Christian Worldview Assignment at the close of every course. A course will be considered incomplete until the Christian Worldview Assignment is completed and turned in.

 

All Project Team forms that students need are available in the office or on the Blazenet website on the Adult Studies Student Life/Services page.

The forms that are used are as follows:

• The Project Team Meeting Summary is a log of each Project Team meeting, time, place, and assignments completed. These forms must be initialed by the instructor weekly and turned in to the instructor on the last night of class. The instructor turns these in with the final grades for the class.
• The Project Team Evaluation Form is an individual evaluation of each Project Team member that affects course grades. Each student must turn one in to the instructor on the last night of class, and the instructor turns all of these in with the final grades for the class.
• Oral Presentation Evaluation Form is used for the evaluation of the team oral presentation.

The Christian World View Assignment is to be completed by each student at the end of each course and turned in as part of the final grade.

 

Since shared knowledge, talent, and expertise are vital parts of the program, a logical outgrowth of the Project Team concept is oral presentations that each group makes during class sessions. These oral presentations allow students to share the combined efforts and results of the Project Team with the entire class, to document to the instructor the effectiveness of the team learning, and to acquire experience in making professional presentations. Oral presentations are a required part of most courses and provide a portion of each student’s final grade in the course. Each Project Team member is expected to participate in both the preparation for the presentation and the presentation itself. The instructor should give each student an Oral Presentation Evaluation Form (or a similar form devised by the instructor) at the end of the presentation so that the student will know how he/she did on that presentation and what improvements need to be made for the next presentation
 

GUIDELINES FOR ORAL PRESENTATIONS

• Never read an oral report! You may use notes, preferably just an outline so that you won’t be tempted to read.
• Have your thoughts well organized and your presentation completely planned ahead of time.
• Stay within your allotted time. Practice your report and time it several times.
• Practice with your Project Team for feedback and coordination of content.
• Be creative in your content and presentation.
• Use visuals. These are required, and you need to be creative in the types that you use.
• Be aware of the criteria that the instructor will use for grading and follow these in your preparation and presentation.
  
   

• All students in the program will be required to be a part of a Project Team that works together on oral and written projects and presentations and provides support to other Project Team members.
• Project Teams should consist of three to five members. Occasionally, a team of two or six will be allowed because of a student or students who live over forty-five miles from the campus or because of a student or students who are dropping into a class for a course. An instructor may require a team of six to make two presentations, depending on the assignments.
• Project Teams are formed in the first course of a new block of courses. The instructor assists students in this process.
• Project Teams meet four hours each assigned week, and no student may miss more than 20 percent of the Project Team meetings. This attendance is considered part of the attendance for the course. All Project Team members are expected to participate in all group assignments, projects, and presentations.  Attendance is verified weekly.

• The Dean instructs the faculty in the Project Team concept and oversees the tabulation and assessment of the information on the Student and Faculty End-of-Course Surveys.
• The Director of Student Services collects Project Team Documentation and Project Team Evaluation Forms and maintains files on these. He/she also is available to counsel with students about the Project Team concept and to facilitate any changes that may become necessary.
• Students work together in Project Teams on group assignments and learning projects and submit all required work.
• Project Team Meeting Summary, Project Team Evaluation, and Student End-of-Course Survey Forms.
• Faculty members assist students with the Project Team concept, collect and submit forms, and utilize the Project Team Evaluation Forms in assigning grades.
  
   

Successful Project Teams result from positive team interaction.

The development of strong Project Teams will be possible by establishing these techniques:

• Choose a time that is convenient for all and a place that is conducive to studying and learning.
• Implement the Team Charter at the first meeting and review with each new course.
• Begin each Project Team meeting with prayer.
• Establish a Christ-like atmosphere with cooperative attitudes toward each other.
• Exhibit respect toward each member and his/her knowledge and experience and extend professional courtesy toward each other.
• Recognize and accept the strengths and weaknesses of the members and blend all of these together into a strong whole.
• Encourage and support all members.
• Expect each member to be present and on time, participate fully, and complete all assignments on time. Be patient and reasonable with a member who has an unexpected problem - but who is not habitually irresponsible.
  
   

The policies, procedures, rules and regulations contained in this handbook are not all inclusive and final. The University reserves the right to change, add, or amend the policies herein at any time. Students are responsible for all policies, rules and regulations in this document as well as other documents and are also responsible for all changes and policies stated elsewhere. The University will attempt to explain all issues at all times but on occasion may err.