Student Services and Campus Policies

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.

Emergency Services: For on-campus emergencies, call 6911; for non-emergency assistance, call 460-6617.

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 display a valid registration decal and park only in those areas appropriately designated. Parking permits are to be displayed on the left bottom side of the rear window. 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 the vehicle, or the loss of campus parking privileges. Parking ticket fines must be paid before grades and transcripts will be released.

(Fines may be subject to change. Any difference in fines in this catalog to Belmont Security Office will default to the Security Office listing of fines)

Vehicles Subject to Towing:

Illegally parking in spaces reserved for handicapped.
Blocking a fire lane, 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 display a parking decal if they wish to park on campus. All evening students may use any parking lot or area not marked “Handicapped,” or “Reserved.”

Belmont University Bookstore

The university bookstore is located in the lower level of the Gabhart Student Center. Available for purchase are required textbooks (new and used), school supplies, Belmont logo clothing and gift items, greeting cards, and other related campus items. Belmont students may charge their textbooks, school supplies and other required items on their student account (with a Belmont ID), and be billed through their university account. Purchases may also be made by personal check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Anerican Express, or cash. Checks may be cashed for up to $20.00 with a Belmont ID.

Visit the bookstore’s web page to check for special store hours, store policies, announcements, Belmont logo merchandise, and the list of textbooks required for Belmont classes. Also available is an opportunity to purchase textbooks on-line, prepaying with a credit card or charging on the student’s Belmont account. Find us at Belmont University’s official web address: www.belmont.edu

Career Development

Belmont University Career Development provides a wide range of services and resources to assist students and graduates with every stage of the career planning process. Our experienced career professionals seek to empower students and graduates to identify and pursue their passions and meet the needs of the world. Career Development provides resume and cover letter review, internship and job search strategy, interview training, and career development programs and events. For more information, visit Career Development at www.belmont.edu/careerdevelopment , call 615.460.6490, or email careerdevelopment@belmont.edu. Anyone who has completed or is completing a degree at Belmont University is eligible to use the Office of Career & Professional Development.

Counseling Services

Personal counseling services are offered through the Office of the Dean of Students and may help with such issues as academics, interpersonal relationships, religious questions, sexuality, stress, time management, addictions, anxiety and depression. Students are entitled to a limited number of counseling sessions with a licensed counselor at no cost.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 460-6407. A code of privacy is maintained in all counseling.

Communicable Disease/Virus Policy

In general, Belmont University is committed to a non-discriminatory policy with respect to persons having been diagnosed with a communicable disease/virus or other handicap. Any restrictions that may be imposed are determined in light of the most current medical knowledge and are in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. A strict code of confidentiality is maintained in all cases.

Judicial Service

The Belmont University mission states that we enable “men and women of diverse backgrounds to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage, and faith.” In order to prepare students for this mission, the university upholds high ideals and expectations for each member of the campus community. These ideals are expressed in the university’s Statement of Commitments and various institutional policies. Belmont University’s disciplinary process is designed to be a part of the educational mission of the University, one that focuses on upholding these commitments inherent in the Belmont community, teaching all members of the university community the commitments of appropriate behavior within a community.

Belmont’s disciplinary process provides an outline in which members of the Belmont community may resolve violations of commitments and policies with mutual respect for one another while fostering relationships. These relationships help to create an environment of accountability holding members of the community responsible for their actions with the ultimate goal of encouraging and fostering the personal growth and development of each student. Throughout the process, students are the priority.

For information regarding policies, procedures, and assistance, students may contact the Coordinator of Judicial Services in the Office of the Dean of Students or access The Bruin Guide online at www.belmont.edu/studentaffairs/bruinguide/index.html.

Substance-Free Campus Policy

Belmont University is committed to self-control and respect for self and others, which enable all individuals to develop intellectually, spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Therefore, the university is committed to an environment free of the possession or use of alcohol and illegal drugs. It shall be a violation of the Community Commitments and the Substance-Free Campus Policy to drink, possess, distribute or be impaired as a result of drinking alcoholic beverages and on campus or at any university sponsored activity on or off campus. The university makes no special provision for used or unused alcohol or drug paraphernalia and containers. These items are prohibited as well. Additionally, it shall be a violation to be in the presence of an incident where violations of the university’s Substance-Free Campus Polices have occurred regardless of a student’s level of participation (referred to as complicity.) Also, any involvement in illegal activities on or off campus, including the use, possession, distribution or impairment as a result of illegal drugs shall result in the imposition of one or more of the disciplinary actions set forth elsewhere in The Bruin Guide. Violations of these standards of conduct may result in university disciplinary action and/or severe criminal penalties under local, state, and federal law.

The Substance-Free Campus Policy is fully outlined in The Bruin Guide available online at www.belmont.edu/studentaffairs/bruinguide/index.html.

Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974; it is the federal law that requires colleges and universities to maintain the privacy of students’ education records. FERPA guarantees students the right of access to the education records, the right to consent prior to the release of a record to a third party, the right to challenge information contained in their records, and the right to be notified of their privacy rights. This means that students must consent before a record is disclosed to the parents or legal guardians, unless they are a dependent of his/her parents for income tax purposes, prior consent to disclosure to parents or guardians is not required. This states that ‘personal information shall only be transferred to a third party on the condition that such party will not permit any other party to have access to such information without the written consent of the student.’

Confidential information is not to be released. Confidential information consists of any academic information (grades, transcripts), current class schedules, disciplinary records, etc. We can verify directory information over the phone as long as the student has not asked that directory information be kept confidential. Directory information includes but is not limited to name, address, phone, dates of attendance, major and minor, degrees and awards received.

 The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31): School officials with legitimate educational interest; Other schools to which a student is transferring; Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student; Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school; Accrediting organizations; To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW.
Washington, DC, 20202-4605

In addition, the university has the right to disclose the following information about its students to third parties without the student’s consent. This information includes: name, address, date and place of birth, major, participation in officially recognized activities/sports, weight/height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent educational agency or institution attended, photographs and parents’ names and addresses. However, FERPA also grants you the right to refuse to permit Belmont to disclose this information to others without your consent.

If you wish to instruct the university not to disclose directory information about you, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 460-6619.

Food Service

Commuter students may pay-as-you-go at the Dining Hall, the Curb Cafe, or the Corner Court; or they may purchase a commuter meal ticket redeemable for any twelve meals in the Dining Hall.

Harassment Policy

Belmont University is committed to providing an environment in which all persons are safe from harassment and intimidation based on their race, color, gender, national origin, age or disability. Harassment can include, but is not limited to, physical conduct or verbal innuendo that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of his/her, race color, gender, national origin, age or disability, or that of his/her relatives, friends or associates and that: (i) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; (ii) has the purpose or effect of unreasonable interfering with an individual’s academic or job performance; or (iii) otherwise adversely affects an individual’s educational or employment opportunities. Such harassment is contrary to the Christian standards of conduct expected of all members of the university community. 

Any student who believes he or she has been treated unfairly by a member of the Belmont community is encouraged to file a complaint/grievance. Information about filing a complaint or grievance is available in the Bruin Guide available online at www.belmont.edu/studentaffairs/bruinguide/index.html or a student may contact the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Life.

Health Services

Basic health services are available to students through the Student Health Services office located behind the School of Nursing on Compton Avenue. Students using Health Services should be prepared to provide health insurance information. Inquire at Health Services regarding fees which may be incurred. As a prerequisite for seeking health care from this center, a student must have a completed health record on file. Health Services also maintains a referral list for those students desiring health care off campus. All medical expenses incurred off campus are the responsibility of the student.

Residence Life

The Office of Residence Life coordinates all campus living arrangements - apartments, residence halls, and special emphasis houses. The office is located on the second floor of the Gabhart Student Center.

Smoking Policy

Belmont has a policy of no smoking on campus.

Students with Disabilities

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Belmont University will make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. For assistance, contact the Office of the Dean of Students in the Beaman Student Life Center. Complete procedures are outlined in the Academic Information section of the student handbook, The Bruin Guide.

University Ministries

University Ministries provides a variety of programs and resources to assist students of all denominations to learn more about their faith, to grow spiritually, and to participate actively in campus and community events. In addition, information on local churches is available.