Sanctions
Any student found in violation of our Academic Honor Code is immediately placed on Academic Probation. Academic Probation continues until the student graduates from Belmont University.
Academic Probation is defined as a period of time during which any further violation of the Academic Honor Pledge puts the student's status with the University in jeopardy. If the student is found "responsible" for another violation during the period of Academic Probation, serious consideration will be given to imposing a sanction of Suspension or Expulsion. Additionally, some restrictions that may be placed on the student during this period of probation include, but are not limited to, representation of the University in leadership positions or on athletic teams, participation in student activities and study abroad opportunities, entrance into University residence halls or other areas of campus, or contact with another specific person(s).
In addition to Academic Probation, faculty members may only issue one of three sanctions, which are listed below:
- Grade of F on the assignment
- Grade of F in the course and
- Grade of FX in the course.
FX means that this grade on the student's transcript will indicate that the failure of the course was due to a violation of the Academic Honor System, but may be removed by the student. The grade will be treated as an F for purpose of the student's grade point average.
When the sanction of an FX is rendered, it must be approved by the Provost after the allotted appeal timeframe. The process of approval:
Send all documentation of incident (i.e. papers, exams, etc.), the Community Conduct Form, the Judicial Outcome Letter, and contact information of the student to the Office of the Provost. The Provost will review all documentation and make a decision of modifying or upholding the sanction of FX. The Office of the Provost will send a letter directly to the student about the outcome of the approval process and place a copy of that letter in the file. The file will be returned to faculty member or forwarded to the Office of the Dean of Students.
The Honor Court has the authority to issue the above sanctions and/or may choose to render other sanctions outlined in the Disciplinary Process.
Multiple Violations
Any subsequent violation(s) of the Academic Honor System beyond the first is a violation of probation. If the faculty member adjudicates a student's second violation, the student will be sanctioned based on the current incident and then be referred to the Honor Court for violation of probation. If faculty member refers the case to the Honor Court, the Honor Court will sanction for the current incident and sanction for the violation of probation. For a violation of probation, the Honor Court will consider rendering the sanction of suspension or expulsion. Any decision of suspension or expulsion is a recommendation and required the approval of the Provost.
FX Removal Process
During the student's last semester prior to graduation, he/she may have the FX petitioned to changed to an F on his/her transcript in the following manner:
I. The student must have retaken and received a passing grade in the class which the FX was given;
II. The student must have no subsequent violations of the Academic Honor System.
III. The student must propose and perform an activity or program that promotes academic integrity on campus. In order to coordinate this activity or program, the student must work with the Honor Court for approval and execution. The Honor Court must certify that the activity or program has been completed in a letter to the Provost;
IV. The student must write a letter to the Provost requesting the removal of the FX.
If the student satisfactorily completes the four conditions above, the Provost will instruct the Registrar to change the FX to a grade of F on the student's transcripts.
