Student Life

Belhaven University believes that well-rounded personal, social, spiritual, and academic development can best be accomplished within a Christian Community. Therefore, in order to meet individual needs while working for the needs of the community, it is necessary to establish guidelines for conduct. Belhaven’s student handbook, The Kilt and the Adult Studies Handbook, describes in detail the guidelines governing student life and college community expectations. The system of standards set forth in the student handbook is intended to maintain a balance between individual freedom and the good of the community. Believing that every aspect of life should be lived to the glory of God, Belhaven University seeks to consistentl y apply these standards with a concern for the total development of the individual.

Belhaven reserves the right to withdraw and /or dismiss any student who, in its judgment, displays conduct in violation of standards of the University.

Adult, Graduate, and Online Handbook  

“The Kilt” Student Handbook  

Grievance Policy for Written Student Complaints

The student grievance or complaint policy insures that students have adequate lines of communication wherein to file written complaints. Students are encouraged to inform the proper university official, as described in this Catalogue and the student handbook, any time they feel one of their student rights or privileges has been denied. All complaints must be filed to the campus student services and campus Dean within 30 days of the course completion. The grievance will be investigated and a written determination regarding the complaint and a description of the resolution will be issued within thirty (30) days. 

Student Complaint Resolution  

Academic Appeals

Grading is viewed by Belhaven University as a contractual relationship between faculty member and student; and although students have the right to protest, actual changes in grades are both rare and at the discretion of the faculty member. The Academic Dean will intervene only in extreme circumstances or when the course materials or curricular items are concerned. Currently enrolled students wishing to file grievances on academic issues should submit written appeals to the Academic appeals committee. Academic appeals of grades must be made 30 days following the issuance of the grade.

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

• The student should contact the faculty member for discussion within seven days of receiving the grade.
• If the student continues to feel justified in making a grade appeal, a petition to change a grade form can be accessed from Student Services.
• The form and necessary supporting documentation (i.e. documented correspondence and copies of graded works in question) should be submitted to Student Services.
• The Academic Dean will meet with the Academic Appeals Committee and reach a decision (committee shall consist of the Dean of Faculty and the discipline representative [i.e. Dean of Business, Dean of Education, etc.])
• When the Committee or university official takes action, the student will be notified in writing of the decision and a copy of all correspondence will be forwarded to Student Services and the Registrar’s Office for placement in the student’s file.
• Decisions made by the Academic Appeals Committee are final and may not be appealed.

Academic Grievances

Grading is viewed by Belhaven University as a contractual relationship between faculty member and student; and although students have the right to protest, actual changes in grades are both rare and at the discretion of the faculty member. The Dean will intervene only in extreme circumstances or when the course materials or curricular items are concerned.

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

1. The student shall contact the faculty member for discussion within seven calendar days of receiving the grade.
2. If the student continues to feel justified in making a grade appeal, a petition to change a grade form can be accessed from Student Services within 30 calendar days of the completion of the course. The form and necessary supporting documentation (i.e. documented correspondence and copies of graded works in question) should be submitted through Student Services to the Academic Appeals Committee
3. The Academic Appeals Committee shall review the student’s appeal and reach a decision. When the Committee or university official takes action, the student will be notified in writing of the decision and a copy of all correspondence will be forwarded to Student Services and the Registrar’s Office for placement in the student’s file. Decisions made by the Academic Appeals Committee are final and may not be appealed.

Academic grievances concerning a faculty member or an online campus course should be directed in writing to the online Dean. Decisions made by the online Dean shall be final.

Academic Disability Accommodation

Belhaven University offers students disability accommodation in accordance with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The student must make his or her disability known to the Office of Student Services and must provide current documentation, within 3 years, of the disability from an appropriate licensed professional and complete the Belhaven ADA Request Form for accommodation. The student must provide such a request to the Office of Student Services at least two weeks prior to the beginning of each semester for which the accommodation is requested. Approved accommodations will be made within a reasonable time period after completion of the official request.

Grievance Procedure for Disabled Students

Belhaven University has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints alleging any action prohibited by regulations implementing the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other pertinent federal, state, and local disability anti-discrimination laws.

For grievances related to academic accommodations, Student Services personnel will serve as the Complaint Coordinator.

1. Applicants or students shall file complaints, in writing, with the Coordinator. A complaint shall contain the name and address of the person filing it and a brief description of the alleged violation. If the complainant needs an accommodation in order to file the complaint, he/she should inform the person taking the complaint.
2. Such complaints must be filed within 45 calendar days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
3. An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The Coordinator will conduct the investigation.
4. The Coordinator shall issue a written determination regarding the complaint and a description of the resolution and shall forward a copy to the complainant within a reasonable time.
5. 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.
6. The Provost shall issue a decision regarding the appeal within a reasonable time, and this decision shall be final.

For grievances related to non-academic accommodations, the policy in the student handbook should be followed.

Warren A. Hood Library

The Warren A. Hood Library houses more than 96,000 items. In addition to book and periodical collections, the library provides access to a vast array of electronic indexes and databases, media collections, archival materials, and reference materials for all fields of study at Belhaven.

The Online Library is accessed through the Library web page (https://www.belhaven.edu/academics/resources/library/) and also taps into a large collection of online full text and citation databases including 24 databases within EBSCOhost, Business Education in Video, Christian Periodical Index, CQ Researcher, ERIC, Grove’s Dictionary of Art, JSTOR, LexisNexis Academic, Mergent Online, Oxford Music Online, CREDO Reference eBooks, Classical Music Library, ProQuest Newsstand including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal database. Additionally, library patrons have access to more than 47,000 e-books. These e-books are accessible 24/7 through Blazenet from any computer with an internet connection. The library is an invaluable resource for Belhaven users at all campuses to access essential resources via the internet.

The library is open approximately 103.5 hours per week during the Fall and Spring sessions. Hours are slightly reduced during holidays, breaks and during the summer session. The library hours are intended to sufficiently provide Belhaven faculty, staff, students, and administration access to collections, services and professional assistance. The library staff is well trained to assist all faculty and students with a wide range of research activities. It is the librarians’ intent that each student at Belhaven develops transferable skills to ensure life-long learning through instruction and skilled use of the materials (both physical and online) available through the Warren A. Hood Library as well as any library or research facility throughout the world.

Professional librarians are available for subject specific reference consultations. Advance appointments may be scheduled by contacting the library at 601-968-5948, 1-800-808-5002 or at askalibrarian@belhaven.edu.

Barnes and Noble Bookstore

The Belhaven Bookstore, located in the McCravey-Triplett Student Center. They can be reached at 601-968-5910 or by email at bookstore@belhaven.edu. You can view the Belhaven Online Bookstore by visiting https://belhaven.bncollege.com/ It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for textbooks prior to the start of class.