Campus Policies and Grievances
Campus Security
The Office of Campus Security (OCS) is located on the ground floor of the Gabhart Student Center. This office is normally staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In compliance with the Tennessee “College and University Security Information Act” and the federal “Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act,” the Belmont University Office of Campus Security provides a monthly report of any crime on campus and provides, upon request during business hours, campus crime statistics and related data to employees and students desiring this information. The Office of Campus Security is also actively engaged in crime prevention strategies and timely security alerts.
Automobile Assistance: OCS provides services for automobiles, such as unlocking doors and jump-starting dead batteries.
Automobile Privileges: Many students find it convenient to have their own transportation available at school. There is a charge for parking a car on campus. Registration of the car and a Belmont University sticker prominently displayed are required. Students are permitted to park in any parking lot on campus, except those clearly marked for guests.
Parking permits do not guarantee a parking space, since there are more student vehicles than there are parking spaces. The university reserves the right to ticket, boot, and/or tow automobiles in violation of the parking regulations. Parking ticket fines must be paid before grades and transcripts will be provided.
Emergency Services: For on-campus emergencies, call 6911; for non-emergency assistance, call 6617.
Handicapped Parking: Handicapped students may park in the designated handicap spaces or in any parking lot on the campus, regardless of posted restrictions. Handicapped students must display handicap state-issued license plates, state-issued placard, or a handicap decal issued by the university. Temporary handicap decals are available to students with temporary injuries affecting their ability to walk. There is no fee for handicap decals.
Identification Cards: OCS generates the university ID cards and keeps an electronic file of these cards in its database. Cards are usually made during registration times and as needed.
Parking Permits: Any person operating an automobile on campus must purchase and display a valid registration decal and park only in those areas appropriately designated. Parking permits are to be displayed on the lower left corner of the rear windshield (driver's side). Belmont Boulevard from Acklen Avenue to Portland is the property of the university. A decal must be displayed to park on this street.
Parking Violations/Fines: Failure to comply with parking regulations may result in a fine, having the vehicle towed from campus at the owner’s expense, an immobilizing boot attached to the wheel of your vehicle, or the loss of campus parking privileges. Parking ticket fines must be paid before grades and transcripts will be released.
Improper display of permit $25.00 Improper parking 50.00 No parking permit 50.00 Parking in "No Parking" area 50.00 Parking by non-handicapped person in space reserved for the handicapped 100.00 Parking in a restricted area 50.00
Vehicles Subject to Towing:
Illegally parking in spaces reserved for handicapped.
Blocking a firelane, drive, or walkway.
Security Escort Services: OCS provides escorts for anyone on campus at any time the individual wishes an escort from one location on campus to another.
Vehicle Registration: Students may register vehicles at the time of class registration or at other times as necessary. Temporary daily and weekly guest parking permits are available from OCS. Evening students (classes after 4:30 p.m.) are required to purchase a parking decal if they wish to park on campus. All evening students may use any parking lot or area not marked “Faculty/Staff 24 hours,” “Handicapped,” or “Reserved.”
Division of Student Affairs
Helpful information and policies are shared with students in three primary places: The Bruin Guide, The Residential Guide to Living and The Student Organization Handbook. In particular, The Bruin Guide communicates critical information about your rights and responsibilities as a student and prepares you to be successful in negotiating the policies and procedures of campus life. There are three sections to The Bruin Guide. The Governing Ideas includes a letter from the President and outlines the university's mission statement and values. The Code of Conduct section, describes our Community Commitments and the student disciplinary process, including specific policies, as well as important notices and statements. The last section, Campus Activities, offer information and direction regarding Student Organizations, Convocation, and event planning. Occasionally, policies will change during academic year. Please refer to The Bruin Guide for the most current and accurate version of policies. We hope you find The Bruin Guide a valuable resource to your life and learning at Belmont.
The Bruin Guide is available online. Students may link to it by pasting the following url into their browser:
www.belmont.edu/studentaffairs/student_conduct_academic_integrity/bruinguide/
Please note, the above information is provided to help answer some questions you may have about Belmont’s Academic Honor System. It is not official statements of policy or process. The Bruin Guide states official policies and processes and supersedes this information.
Student Complaint and Grievance Procedures
Belmont University Internal Processes
If a Belmont University student has a grievance regarding the student’s academic division or an administrative procedure the student has the right to request a review of his or her particular situation. The student must first attempt to resolve the problem by contacting the relevant department directly and requesting a review of his or her situation. If the grievance is not resolved by contacting the department directly the student should follow up with an e-mail to the representative of that department / area and detail the concern so that the student’s concern is documented. The recipient of the e-mail, or an appropriate area designee, will respond in a timely manner.
Because the University already has several published policies and mechanisms for dispute resolution in place, students who contact the Dean of Students Office may be redirected (back) to the Dean of the relevant academic college or area if it is clear that the process and response were reviewed appropriately and in keeping with the published process; for example grade appeals, etc. (see: http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2013jun/apolicy/ap_as.html) in these cases the college or area decision and response may be deemed final.
After contacting the appropriate department directly and receiving a final response as described above, any student who still believes he or she has been treated unfairly by a university employee or process, may seek review with possible alternative resolution through the Dean of Students office. “Unfairly” means there was no process of review as described above or in a University publication; or adequate explanation of the final disposition to the student’s grievance; or there was a noted bias on the part of the decision maker, which affected the decision.
Students may file a formal complaint by e-mailing deanofstudents@belmont.edu describing the treatment, action, final decision given by the academic or administrative area and the remedy still sought. Complaints will be investigated and / or referred to other offices as necessary. A written response regarding the issue will be sent to the student who initiated the complaint within 30 days.
The Associate Provost and Dean of Students serves as the primary coordinator of response and support to students with concerns or those students experiencing a crisis. Please see the Bruin Guide, page 62. http://www.belmont.edu/studentaffairs/student_conduct_academic_integrity/bruinguide/index.html
Students should first seek a resolution through the institution's procedures above. Grievances that are not resolved internally and may involve state consumerism, state licensing boards, or accreditation may be addressed by following the links provided below.
State of Tennessee Complaint Procedures
Should the institution not be able to resolve the student complaint, the student has the right to contact the state of Tennessee and its appropriate agency to determine the course of action. Complaints can be filed with the following agencies in Tennessee:
- Complaints related to the application of state laws or rules related to approval to operate or licensure of a particular professional program within a postsecondary institution (college / university) shall be referred to the appropriate State Board (i.e., State Boards of Health, State Board of Education, etc.) within the Tennessee State Government. It shall be reviewed and handled by that licensing board http://www.tn.gov, and then search for the appropriate division);
- Complaints related to state consumer protection laws (e.g., laws related to fraud or false advertising) shall be referred to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and shall be reviewed and handled by that Unit http://www.tn.gov/consumer/ .
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Procedures
Allegations regarding noncompliance with accreditation standards, policies, and procedures may be referred to SACSCOC, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097. (The Commission's complaint policy, procedure and the Complaint form may be found on their website at: http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/complaintpolicy.pdf .
FERPA (Family Education and Privacy Act)