Introduction
A goal of Community Accountability is to respectfully challenge students to consider how they make decisions to support the learning and development goals of a Belmont education. Consequently, your service as a student accountability officer helps shape and support the transformational work of our community. It also allows you to develop your analytical, writing, confrontation, and communication skills. Specifically, the responsibilities of a student accountability officer include the following:
- Adjudication: Develop the ability to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information, ask questions to solicit that information, and reach decisions based on objective community standards rather than personal bias.
- Sanctioning: Assume Belmont's Community Commitments stewardship by holding peers accountable to the membership expectations of our community.
- Development: Respectfully challenge peers by helping them consider how they make decisions and demonstrating additional tools they may use when evaluating their choices
- Integrity: Honor the principles of peer accountability, confidentiality, fairness, respect, and Belmont’s mission to exhibit Christian values.
- Reflection: Advise the Dean of Students regarding issues that arise during the student accountability process.
Time Commitment
The weekly time commitment will usually be no more than 5 hours, which includes preparing for inquiries, participating in inquiries, and documenting conclusions. You will be expected to keep a set inquiry schedule based on your class schedule and prioritize inquiry participation over other commitments such as work, internships, organizational activities, etc. Most students will average one inquiry per week as inquiries are held on an as-needed basis.
Selection & Training
Student Accountability Officers serve on the Community Accountability Council and Honor Council. Positions are limited to 15 accountability officers and 4 alternates. Rising Sophomores and above may apply. A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required, and all applicants must have good academic and judicial standing.
Once selected, Student Accountability Officers will participate in substantial group training, which may require returning to campus before the start of classes, in addition to online assignments throughout the summer. Once school resumes, monthly individual training is required lasting approximately 30 minutes per session.
The application to be a Community Accountability Officer can be found on Bruinlink.
Membership Expectations
Community Accountability Council/Honor Council members must:
- Adhere to the Belmont University Code of Conduct provisions and federal, state, and local laws.
- Exemplify leadership and character throughout your embodiment of the university’s commitments.
- Attend all scheduled training sessions, meetings, and hearings.
- Always maintain student confidentiality.
Community Accountability Council members will sign a Hearing Officer Contract that further explains the expectations of our members.