Student Services

Bookstore/duplicating

Tom Truman, Manager
Ext. 3214
Marbeck Center

Located on the upper level of Marbeck Center, the campus bookstore is designed to serve the needs of students, campus offices and conference guests. In addition to textbooks, the bookstore carries official Bluffton logo clothing, artist supplies, greeting cards and items for room decoration. Popular books on a variety of topics including peace studies and Mennonite issues are also available.

Textbooks
Textbooks are kept in stock for the first eight weeks of each semester. During the ninth week, the bookstore begins clearing the shelves to prepare for the next semester.

Textbook refund policy
Return policy on textbooks is two weeks from the start of the term. Any textbooks purchased after the first two weeks of the semester must be returned within five days of the date on the receipt. Cash refunds will not be given for credit card purchases.

Books that are not in perfect condition, have names written on them, contain underlining or highlighting or have been used for more than five days will be considered used and cannot be returned. All refunds are subject to the approval of the bookstore manager. Returns without receipts are not eligible for a refund.

Used books
A used textbook buyer will come to the bookstore at the end of the fall and spring semesters to buy books directly from the students. If a book comes out in a new edition, the old edition has no value.

Many students buy and sell used textbooks which are not in their major field of study. The bulletin board listing items for sale in Marbeck is a good place to begin the search. Students should be aware that most publishers revise their books often which may make an earlier edition obsolete.

Terms
Charge accounts cannot be offered. Purchases can be paid by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard or Discover. See the business office for check cashing.

Refunds or exchanges
All refunds and exchanges must be accompanied by a receipt.

Business office

Kevin Nickel, vice president for fiscal affairs
Ext. 3301
College Hall, lower level

This office, located in the lower level of College Hall, is responsible for student payroll, student accounts, office services, collections, telephones and other business-related activities.

Campus pastor

Stephen (Tig) Intagliata, pastor
Ext. 3219, Riley Court, Hirschler Hall, Room 218

The campus pastor is responsible for stimulating and coordinating Christian spiritual life among students, faculty, staff and the university community. He is also available for counseling. This office is located in Hirschler Hall, 2nd floor in Riley Court. (See description of spiritual life activities.)

Career Development Center

Katherine Dickson, director
Ext. 3030
Hauenstein Hall, 1st Floor

The Career Development Center offers a variety of services to students and alumni. Individual career advising, small group workshops, special programs and materials in the Career Library assist students in the various phases of career and life planning.
more info...

Resources include:

  • College Central Network, online management system
    •  Home of job (full-time, part-time, and summer) postings, internship opportunities and direct connections to employers
    • Ability to build portfolios and post resumes
    • Ability to connect with alumni through the alumni mentoring network
    • Resources available from experts on a variety of career topics, nationwide        
    • Register at: www.collegecentral.com/bluffton
  • Job search
    • Seminars and advising on job search strategies, resume and letter writing and interviewing techniques
    • Facilitate employer networking
    • Connect with various recruiting events throughout the year, including four center sponsored or co-sponsored events
  • Graduate school
    • Assistance in the application process for graduate school
    • Information on the GRE
    • Essay critiquing
  • Resumes
    • Consultations and critiques
    • Guidelines and workshops based on the latest trends
    • Students may also get started at: www.collegecentral.com/bluffton
    • Career  Library
    • Career interest inventories and educational testing information
    • Information on career and life planning, decision-making and the job search process
    • Books and magazines on occupational, salary and employer information
    • International and volunteer opportunities
    • Diverse resources for candidates of all kinds

Counseling service

Rae Staton, counselor
Ext. 3449
Old Ropp lower level

Counseling is provided free of charge to any Bluffton University student who is experiencing emotional concerns, social/relational problems, family stressors, drug or alcohol related concerns, eating disorders, grief/loss issues, struggles with coping with past traumatic experiences or any other stressors associated with life as a college student.
more info...

Curriculum Resource Center

Ext. 3262, Musselman Library
4th Floor            

The Curriculum Resource Center (CRC), offers a variety of resources selected especially for students and faculty involved in Bluffton's undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. The CRC is also a project work area, with special appeal for education students but open to all library users, featuring an Ellison letter machine, roll and pocket laminators, and other equipment and supplies. Hours for the CRC are the same as library hours.
more info ...

Dining services

Bluffton provides dining facilities in Marbeck Center. The Commons is operated primarily for boarding students, but also serves non-boarding students and others on a per meal basis. Faculty and staff are invited to join the students at any meal.

Students seeking employment should contact staff in the financial aid office who in turn will work with dining services for student placement.

All food and most beverages with the exception of entrees are available to boarding students in unlimited amounts during the regularly scheduled meal times.
More about general dining service policies...
More about meal plans... 
More about Beaver Bucks...

Financial aid

Lawrence Matthews, director
Ext. 3246
Schultz Hall, 1st Floor

Financial aid is awarded through the Bluffton University financial aid office located in Schultz Hall, Riley Court. Financial aid is awarded to students with demonstrated need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or to students that have earned a scholarship through their academic or performance achievements. To receive continued aid, students must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress as stated in the Catalog.

Financial aid is available from many sources including the state and federal government and Bluffton University and is awarded as scholarships, grants, loans and student work. Bluffton University has a FAFSA priority filing date of May 1.

Loans
To receive Federal Direct Student Loans, a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan or a school certified private education loan, the FAFSA must be received and the loan certified within the enrollment period to which the disbursements are to be applied.

On-campus student work
Jobs on campus are available for students through the Learn and Earn Program. Students who wish to work on campus should contact the financial aid office for more information on available positions and necessary paperwork.

Detailed information regarding financial aid and student eligibility is available from the Bluffton University financial aid office.
more info...

Learning Resource Center

Jacqui Slinger, director
Ext. 3215

The Learning Resources Center provides academic and personal support in the forms of study groups, tutoring, workshops and individual consultations/follow-up.  The center works with students on developing and/or refreshing skills in areas such as time management, test and note-taking, reading, writing, mathematics and stress management/effective living.

The director of the center also serves as counselor for disability services.

Library services

Mary Jean Johnson, director, ext. 3396
Reference desk, ext. 3450
Circulation desk, ext. 3262
Archives and Special Collections, ext. 3275

The library provides the resources needed to complete assignments, conduct research and explore areas of interest. Whether online from the library website, available  from the many collections at the Musselman Library, or borrowed from partner libraries in Ohio or other libraries around the country, there is a vast array of resources available to Bluffton students! With all of these resources, students benefit from the many services that the library offers, including Ask a Librarian for help in person, by phone, email, IM, text and appointment. The library is a great place to meet friends, study, collaborate on projects and attend special events.
more info...

Multicultural affairs

Daryl Dowdy, Interim Director
Hirschy Annex Breezeway
Ext. 3306

Bluffton University Multicultural Affairs Center's mission is to provide services, programs and opportunities that promote the involvement and development of all students.
more info...

Music facilities

Lucia Unrau,
music department chair
Ext. 3318, Mosiman Hall

Yoder Recital Hall, a state-of-the-art performance facility built in 1996, includes recording equipment and faculty teaching studios. Mosiman Hall, the music department's main building, contains three classrooms, a rehearsal/lecture hall, practice rooms and faculty teaching studios. The department has a collection of performance and study scores and provides listening facilities for students to use the department's collection of CDs and DVDs. The Advanced Media Studio integrates a complete piano lab, video, audio and multimedia software with a projection and sound system for media development and interactive teaching. Two harpsichords and two pipe organs, located in Yoder Recital Hall and in Gilliom Room, offer various opportunities for keyboardists beyond the 19 pianos housed in the music department.

Student life office

Eric Fulcomer, dean of students
Hauenstein Hall, 1st Floor
Ext. 3660

This office is located in first Hauenstein in Riley Court. Included in this administrative area are: residence halls, health service, advising international students, orientation of new students, judicial process, multicultural programs, bookstore, food service, Marbeck Center, religious activities, conferences, counseling, and the Career Development Center.

Writing Center

Cynthia Bandish, director
Ext. 3442, Centennial Hall

The Writing Center offers students help with all stages of writing from brainstorming ideas to drafting and revising papers and other written assignments. Any Bluffton student is welcome to contact or meet with a peer tutor for help. The Writing Center is located on the first floor of Musselman Library.

 Technology Center

Ray Karcher, manager
Ext. 3433

The Technology Center offers more than 50 computers for student use and a variety of software including design, video editing and productivity packages. Wacom Intuos 3 Pen Tablets and flatbed scanners are available. Video editing may be performed at computer stations or on a standalone digital video editor. Laptop users will find wireless access as well as wired access to the campus network. Digital cameras, camcorders and digital voice recorders are available for checkout. Laptops and data projectors may be reserved for classroom use. The technology center maintains one color printer and two black and white laser printers. The technology center staff provides hands-on assistance for students during all hours of operation. Some equipment may require training prior to use.
more info...

Computer Help Desk   
Brenda Groman, coordinator
Ext. 3600
helpdesk@bluffton.edu

In an effort to support student access to the campus computing resources that are necessary for academic achievement, the Bluffton University Help Desk responds to student requests (via phone or e-mail) for information and support. In every case, the Help Desk will attempt to provide necessary information or resolve a support issue by phone or e-mail. The Help Desk does not guarantee successful diagnosis or resolution of any computer problem by phone, e-mail or “hands-on” intervention and may advise students to contact their computer vendor or a commercial service provider. Bluffton University and its employees assume no liability for damage, theft, loss or changes to the system performance of any personal computer or peripheral device as a result of a Help Desk consultation and/or “hands-on” support.