Student Services
Bookstore/duplicating
Janine Paul, Manager
419-358-3214
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, gift items, office
supplies, artist supplies, greeting cards and trade books. Popular books on a variety
of topics including peace studies and Mennonite issues are also available.
The bookstore stocks all of the textbooks that you need for your classes. We stock new and used books as well as providing books as rentals. The bookstore also buys back used books.
Textbook butler
All first year students are automatically opted into a program called Textbook Butler.
The bookstore receives all student class schedules, gets all of the books together
and charges the books to the students' accounts at the business office. All the student
has to do is pick up their books in the bookstore prior to the beginning of the semester.
The Textbook Butler program is not mandatory and students may opt out of the program
at any time using the Textbook Butler website bluffton.textbookbutler.com.
Textbooks
If a student chooses to opt out of Textbook Butler they can still purchase or rent
textbooks in the bookstore. All students may charge books and school supplies to their
student accounts during the first two weeks of the semester. In order to charge to
your student account you must have your student ID. 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.
Textbook refund policy
Please see the bookstore or textbook refund policies. All refunds and exchanges must
be approved by the bookstore manager.
Business office
Art Woodruff
Vice president of fiscal affairs
419-358-3320, 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
Jackie Wyse-Rhodes, pastor
419-358-3219
Riley Court, 2nd floor Schultz Hall
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.)
Center for Career & Vocation
LaShonda Gurley, director
419-358-3030
Musselman Library, Ground Floor
The Center for Career and Vocation 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
419-358-3449
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
419-358-3262
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
419-358-3276
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
419-358-3215
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
Carrie Phillips, director
419-358-3396
Reference, 419-358-3450
Circulation, 419-358-3262
Archives and Special Collections, 419-358-3275
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
Tyson Goings, Director
419-358-3306
Hirschy Annex Breezeway
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
Crystal Sellers Battle,
music department chair
419-358-3348, Mosiman Hall
Yoder Recital Hall, a state-of-the-art performance facility built in 1996, includes
digital audio recording and computer projection 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 an extensive collection of CDs and DVDs that are
housed in Musselman Library. The Advanced Media Studio integrates a complete piano
lab, audio and multimedia software with a projection and sound system for audio editing/production
and interactive teaching. A harpsichord and two pipe organs, located in Yoder Recital
Hall and in Gilliom Room, offer various opportunities for keyboardists beyond the
23 pianos housed in the music department. Bluffton University is an All-Steinway School.
Student life office
Phill Talavinia,
Interim vice president of Student Life and Athletics Director
419-358-3226
Schultz Hall, 1st Floor
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
Centennial Hall
419-358-3442,
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
Chris Gott, Learning Technology Specialist
419-358-3433
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
419-358-3600
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.