Student Services

Bookstore/duplicating

Janine Paul, Manager
Ext. 3368
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 three weeks of each semester. During the fourth week, the bookstore begins sending the books back to the Tree of Life warehouse.

Textbook refund policy
Return policy on textbooks is two weeks from the start of the term. No refunds can be given after the drop date for classes has passed. A 15 percent restocking fee will be charged for all returned textbooks unless accompanied by an official document showing a change in class scheduling. There is a 10 day waiting period for refunds if paid by check. Refunds will be issued in the same form as payment was made. All returns and exchanges must be accompanied by the original sales receipt. Rental textbooks must be returned to the bookstore by the last day of the current semester. All rental books not returned by the end of the current semester will be billed for the replacement cost of the books.

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 for a refund. In this case the book can be returned for the buyback price only. All refunds are subject to the approval of the bookstore manager. Returns without receipts are not eligible for a refund.

Used books
The bookstore will buy back used books at any time.

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
All students may charge books and school supplies to their student accounts during the first two weeks of the semester only.  In order to charge to your student account you must have your student ID. Rentals and purchases of textbooks may be charged to student accounts. Most books are available to rent for one semester. See the bookstore for rental details. At the time of rental you must have your student ID and a valid credit card to guarantee the rental. The rental does not need to be charged to the credit card. 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 approved by the bookstore manager.

  

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
  • 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 traditional 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.

Learning Resource Center

Jacqui Slinger, director
Ext. 3215
The Learning Resource 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 study skills such as time management, test and note-taking, reading, memory techniques, etc. The Learning Resource Center is located on the 3rd floor in College Hall. The director of the center also serves as counselor for disability services.

 

Library services

Mary Jean Johnson, director
ext. 3396
Reference, ext. 3450
Circulation, 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

Julie DeGraw, dean of students
Hauenstein Hall, 1st Floor
Ext. 3247
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, conduct 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 computer lab consists of 50 Windows 7 PCs,  flatbed scanners, two black and white laser printers and one color printer. Additional computers are available in an adjoining classroom.  Microsoft Office is installed throughout the lab. Adobe Creative Suite Design & Web Premium and Adobe Premiere Elements are installed on select PCs. Mobile device users will find wireless internet access. Digital cameras, camcorders and voice recorders are available for checkout. Laptops and data projectors may be reserved for classroom use. Replacement student IDs may be obtained weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Technology Center staff provides hands-on assistance for students during all hours of operation.
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.