residential living

What are the benefits of residential living?


At Bluffton, we believe that “it’s all about relationships.” Life-long friendships are formed in classrooms, in The Commons, on the court, field or pitch and in the residence halls.

Places to live

  • Fooseball in the lobby
  • Residence hall room
  • Chilling in the lobby

At Bluffton, we believe that “it’s all about relationships.” Life-long friendships are formed in classrooms, in The Commons, on the court, field or pitch, and in the residence halls.

Traditional undergraduate students at Bluffton are required to live in one of the university's residence halls unless they live at home with their parents or spouse, be a fifth-year senior and live within a reasonable commuting distance. The university is committed to the belief that living with others in a residence hall is an important part of the total educational and social experience of college life. Exceptions must be approved by the coordinator of residence life.      

There are six halls and one set of apartments maintained through the residence life program. In these facilities, your fellow students serve as support staff, as hall directors, resident advisors and ministry assistants.

RESIDENCE HALLS

 

 

Bren-Dell Hall

Bren-Dell Hall sits on the bank of the Riley Creek and houses 95 students. It is a divided hall with men and women living on separate floors. Each of its three floors has a kitchen. A large study lounge is available on the second floor. A spacious main lobby inside the building's main entrance was renovated in 2015. Bren-Dell was built in 1962.

Resident life staff

Hall director: 
Jenia Freewalt
 
RA: Matthew Owen  
RA: Mariana Ickes  
RA: Trevor King  
Apartments RA: Billy Nowakowski  

Hall chaplains

Bren-Dell: Micah Dodson
Apartments: Tyler Forest

Wall dimensions - 11' 2"x 14' 6"   
Windows - 7' 3"x4'     
Bed frame - 36.5"x80"   
Mattress - 36"x80"

 

hirschy

Hirschy Annex, houses 107 students.  It is a divided hall with men and women living on separate floors. Rooms on the second and third floor open into a corridor that encircles a floor lobby and computer lab. A main lobby and kitchen are adjacent to the first floor. Hirschy Annex was built in 1966. 

Resident life staff

Hall director: 
Edward Hardaway
 
RA: Zachary Johnson  
RA: Kenzea Townsend  
RA: Jennifer Specht  
RA: Noah Macke  
RA: Cade price  

Hall chaplain

Havin Montague  

Wall dimensions - 13' 2"x 14' 2" 
Windows - 7' 6"x4'   
Bed frame - 36.5"x80"   
Mattress - 36"x80"

 

hirschy

Hirschy Hall, a residence hall for 97 men and women, has three floors, with a kitchen on each floor. The ground floor has a spacious main lobby with large windows. Hirschy Hall was built in 1963.

A legendary feature of Hirschy Hall is the bronze cast of Noah Hirschy, Bluffton University's first president. It is said that if you rub the nose before taking an exam, you will have good luck!

Resident life staff

Hall director: 
Emily Buss
1st floor in Hirschy Hall off the lobby
RA: Brooklyn Pfeiffer  
RA: Devyn Milburn  
RA: Will Nissen  

Hall chaplain

Havin Montague  

Wall dimensions - 14'7" x 14'1" 
Windows - 9'3" x 4"  
Bed frame - 36.5"x80"   
Mattress - 36"x80"

 

Neufeld Hall

Neufeld Hall opened in 2003. It is a divided hall housing 108 men and women split up by wing, with men in the east wing and women in the west wing, on all floors. Living in Neufeld is offered to seniors and juniors first.

Features includes spacious lobbies and kitchens on each floor, suite style hallways, a game room, conference room and computer lab. Each room is equipped with multi-configuration furniture, high ceilings and large windows. 

The innovative furniture is designed to provide greater flexibility in how students arrange their rooms. Every student will receive a bed, chest of drawers, a desk and desk organizer, a bookcase and a chair. Each piece interlocks with other pieces to allow for 50 different configurations. No tools, hardware or college personnel are needed when stacking and rearranging. Heavy steel pins assure safety and stability without the sway of traditional lofted furniture.

The hall is air-conditioned and fully handicap accessible. 

Resident life staff

Hall director: 
Noah Heiing
1st floor apartment
RA: Reagen O’Brien  
RA: Paige Smith  
RA: Caleb Foltz  
RA: Lauren Leslie  

Hall chaplain

 

Wall dimensions - 14x12 
Windows - size varies by room  
Bed frame - 36.5"x80"
Mattress - 36"x80"
Floor style - carpet

 

ramseyer

Ramseyer Hall is a divided hall, housing 109 students with men and women on separate floors. Features include air conditioning, elevator, a large, bright main lobby and floor lobbies with kitchenettes on the second and third floors. A fully equipped kitchen and conference room are located on the first floor. Individual rooms have high ceilings and open onto a spacious corridor. Ramseyer opened in 1994.

Resident life staff

Hall Director: 
Searra Hough
 
RA: Travion Curry  
RA: Jack Wyant  
RA: Drew Snipes  
RA: Ashley Kloeker  
RA: Kasey Sager  

Hall chaplain

Coen North

Wall dimensions - 15' 2.5"x 12'
Windows - 5'x5'5"
Bed frame - 36.5"x80"
Mattress - 36"x80"
Floor style - carpet

 

ropp

Ropp is the largest residence hall at Bluffton University and houses 231 students.

A large central lounge known as “The Pit” is located near the main entrance to the building and is a popular gathering place for students. Six of the nine floors in Ropp Hall have study lounges and kitchenette facilities on the floor, while a larger, fully equipped kitchen is located off first Ropp Annex. Ropp Hall also has an open courtyard that connects each section of Ropp creating a welcoming environment for all! 

Built in 1914, Ropp was the first residence hall for women at Bluffton University. A second wing, Ropp Annex, was added in 1958, while a third wing, Ropp Addition, was completed in 1967.

Ropp houses both men and women, on separate floors.

 

Resident life staff

Hall director: 
Riley Mitosinka
 
RA: Courtney Benton  
RA: Morgan Jarvis  
RA: Grant Hardeman  
RA: Myah Burns  

Hall chaplains

Ropp Annex and Addition: Amelia Adams
Old Ropp: Colin Burba

Wall dimensions - 14' 5"x 13'
Windows - 7' 1"x4' 4"
Bed frame - 36.5"x80"
Mattress - 36"x80"

Wall dimensions - 15' 4"x 11' 3"
Windows - 7' 6"x4'
Bed frame - 36.5"x80"
Mattress - 36"x80"

Wall and window dimensions - vary by room. Please contact the director of residence life.

Bed frame - 36.5"x80"
Mattress - 36"x80"
Floor style - carpet - 2nd floor only 


Every hall has the following:

  • kitchenette with refrigerator and stove or microwave
  • laundry facilities (cost is included in room and board fees)
  • soda vending machine
  • storage space for small items only (suitcases, boxes, trunks)

Rooms include the following for each resident:

  • Network data connection
  • Desk & chair
  • Curtains or blinds
  • Bed
  • Closet
  • Dresser

Beds may be bunked and lofts are permitted in all halls except Neufeld. If you choose to have a loft it needs to incorporate the bed frame. You may bring additional furnishings, however, no university furniture may be removed from the room, including the metal bedframes. Each room also has an overhead light, mirror, smoke detector and some rooms have a small bulletin board.

Top