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Student Services

Campus pastor

Chalsi Campbell
419-358-3219
Marbeck Center
The campus pastor is responsible for stimulating and coordinating Christian spiritual life among students, faculty, staff and the university community. They are also available for counseling. This office is located in the upper level of Marbeck Center. 

campus store

Audrey (Hazelton '23) Hull, 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.

Slingshot
All first year students are automatically opted into a program called Slingshot. 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 Slingshot program is not mandatory and students may opt out of the program at any time using the Slingshot website bluffton.textbookbutler.com. 

Textbooks
If a student chooses to opt out of Slingshot 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 for textbook refund policies. All refunds and exchanges must be approved by the bookstore manager.

Center for Career & Vocation

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.

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
    • Resources through Ohio Means Jobs 
  • Graduate school
    • Assistance in the application process for graduate school
    • Information on the GRE
    • Essay critiquing
  • Resumes
  • Career  library
    • Career interest inventories and educational testing information
    • Assistance in vocational discernment for students deciding on a major
    • 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

 more info >

Counseling service

Students have 24/7 access to on-demand online crisis counseling and therapists seven days a week, including evenings. Life coaching is also available. Current students may activate their account at app.uwill.com/login.

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.

Assistance is available in coping with issues, problems and concerns, including:

  • Family problems
  • Dating concerns
  • Grief/loss issues
  • Relationship issues, questions, concerns
  • Emotional problems, including depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, anger, etc.
  • Suicidal thoughts and feelings
  • Eating disorders
  • Concerns associated with violence, sexual assault or rape
  • Childhood abuse
  • LGBTQ+ issues or concerns
  • Alcohol/drug use, abuse or addiction
  • Anything that causes tension, conflict, worry, concern, pre-occupation, etc.

Counseling sessions are strictly confidential and no information is shared with any other person (including faculty, administration, staff, other students, your parents or any other family members) except in situations deemed to be life threatening.

If you are unsure about whether or not you need counseling or if counseling could be helpful to you, please give it a try, if only to evaluate what you need and to plan for how your needs can be satisfactorily met. A phone call is all it takes...the choice is always your own.
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

Michael Stewart, general manager
419-358-3703
Marbeck Center

Bluffton provides dining facilities in Marbeck Center. The main dining facility, 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 dining services regarding work opportunities.

General policies

  • All food and most beverages with the exception of entrees are available to boarding students in unlimited amounts during the regularly scheduled meal times. Students are limited to a single serving on entrees or two sandwiches from the grill on their first visit. Students are welcome to get second servings as needed after their first time through the line.
  • All food served in The Commons with the exception of unpeeled fruit, ice cream and desserts must be eaten in Marbeck Center. Only university designated beverage containers may be used in The Commons. No other food or beverages may be taken from The Commons unless they are in the approved Reusable To-Go Containers offered by dining services.
  • A take-out option is available through the Help Save the Planet program
    • Enrollment in the program is a one-time $10 fee that can be paid using cash, credit or Beaver Bucks.
    • Upon enrollment, patrons receive a redeemable token that provide access to a reusable food container and beverage cup.
    • Container may be filled with items from any station.
    • Unwashed container can be brought to The Commons during operating hours and a new redeemable token will be issued.
    • Guest may not eat in The Commons and get takeout in the same visit.
    • Dining service is not responsible for lost or stolen tokens.
  • Plates, bowls, silverware, glasses and other related items are not to be taken from The Commons.
  • Students and guests are expected to clear their own tables in The Commons, by bring their used dishware and trash to the dish room conveyer belt area. 

Meal Plans

Bluffton Dining Services offers residential students a choice of three meal plans. Additional plans are available only for commuting students and students living in the university apartments. See below for a complete description of plans, related policies and costs for the 2023-24 academic year.

All food and most beverages with the exception of entrees are available to boarding students in unlimited amounts during the regularly scheduled meal times.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Lower level, by entrance to The Commons, Marbeck Center
Bluffton University D.E.I. mission is to provide services, programs and opportunities that promote the involvement and development of all students.
more info...

Financial aid

419-358-3266
Financial aid is awarded through the Bluffton University financial aid office located in 134 S. Spring Street. 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 Academic 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.

Health Center

The Student Health Center is located in the lower level of Old Ropp Hall. The entrance is on the Riley Creek side. Minor health concerns can be addressed in the Student Health Center by appointment. 

Information about on and off-campus health services >

Learn and earn

Autumn Graves, Learn and Earn coordinator
419-358-3421
campusjobs@bluffton.edu

Learn and Earn is Bluffton’s student employment program Through the Learn and Earn program, students may gain work experience in their areas of academic study, identify career objectives, gain transferable skills that can be used in a variety of careers and earn a paycheck.

Any traditional undergraduate student attending Bluffton University is eligible to work in the Learn and Earn program. Eligibility for a campus job is included in most financial aid awards, however this does not guarantee a campus position.

Students may apply for open campus employment positions by viewing available positions through their my.bluffton.edu account under the Student tab. The link to Learn and Earn E-hire is located in the left margin. Open positions can be found through the search function under the Employment Position Application link.

Student jobs generally range from two to 10 hours per week depending on the type of job. Students may only hold one primary position (positions with a yearly earning potential of greater than $2,000). Students may also be permitted to work an add-on secondary position (positions with a yearly earning potential of less than $1,000). Positions with a yearly earning potential between $1,000 and $2,000 will be evaluated individually, but in most cases will be considered a primary position

Students are paid according to their earned academic status. First-year students earn minimum wage. Paychecks are issued on the 15th of each month for time worked the previous month. Wages are direct deposited into a personal bank account. Receiving a printed check is an option.

All new student employees at Bluffton University need to complete various tax forms in order to get paid. You will be asked to verify your citizenship via form I-9. Only certain ORIGINAL documents will be accepted. Review the list of acceptable documents below.

Return all completed forms to the business office, located in the lower level of College Hall, or email winelanda@bluffton.edu.

more info about campus jobs...

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
419-358-3275
Research help, 419-358-3450
Circulation, 419-358-3262
Archives and Special Collections, 419-358-3275

Musselman Library provides a gateway for the print and digital resources you’ll need for success in your research, assignments and intellectual discovery. Whether online from the library website, available from the many collections at Musselman Library, or borrowed from partner libraries in Ohio and beyond, there is a vast array of resources available to Bluffton students! The library is a great place to meet with friends, study, collaborate on projects, recharge your mental batteries and engage with community scholars. PAWS (Personalized Assistance While Searching) appointments and other research help options can help you navigate your information needs. As you drawn your own Bluffton Blueprint, use Musselman Library to help you succeed.
more info...

Lost and Found

419-358-3211
Marbeck Center

The Marbeck Center Information Desk is the location of the university lost and found. Lost and found items will be held for up to the length of one academic semester. Any remaining items will be donated or thrown away unless prior arrangements have been made to pick up an item at a later date.

Mail services

419-358-3218
Marbeck Center

Mailboxes for all students, faculty and staff are located in Marbeck Center. Those who have not been notified of their mailbox number prior to the start of classes should contact the mailroom supervisor at the Marbeck Center Information Desk. Students are asked to have incoming mail addressed in the following matter:

Name
Bluffton University (box number)
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817-2104

Do not use the word “box”, “PO Box” or any form of the word box in your address.

Packages
Students are notified of receiving packages by a package card being placed in their mailbox. Packages may be picked up at the Marbeck Center Information Desk between:

8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday
1-3 p.m. Saturday
4-7 p.m. Sunday

Forwarding mail

  • During vacation periods and summer, mail is held in the mailroom until students return to campus.
  • All bulk mail and magazines will be discarded unless other instructions are given.

Stuffers
For the purposes of the policy regarding the placement of stuffers in student, faculty or staff mailboxes in Marbeck Center, a stuffer is defined as unaddressed (no name and box number) campus mail that is designated to be placed in all mailboxes or large groups of mailboxes.

  • Only stuffers or surveys from Bluffton University student organizations, academic departments or administrative offices will be placed in mailboxes through the campus mail system.
  • Surveys will only be distributed if they are part of a Bluffton University academic course assignment or approved by the administration.
  • All surveys must be approved by the Bluffton University Institutional Review Board (IRB).
  • The mailroom supervisor or his/her designee must approve all stuffers.
  • Individual area businesses will not be allowed to have stuffers placed in mailboxes. They may request to have materials placed in a common area for distribution to the campus community.
  • Stuffers must be no less than 3 inches (7.5 cm) on any one side.

Music facilities

Roy Couch, music department chair
419-358-3315
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.

Nature preserve

Jacob Buchanan, assistant professor of environmental science
419-358-3551
10625 Augsburger Road, Bluffton

The 160-acre Bluffton University Nature Preserve is located at the northwest edge of campus. The preserve is home to woodland and grassland trails, a riverine ecosystem, a small lake wildlife habitat, the Swinging Bridge and the Moyer Nature Center. The nature preserve is open during daylight hours. People using the preserve must stay on mowed trails.

Current students may use the pond for water sports and catch-and-release fishing. Fishing equipment, paddleboards, kayaks and canoes are available for current student recreational use under the following expectations.

  • If a thunderstorm with lightening occurs during a watersport activity, all boats, craft and people need to come off the water immediately.
  • Return fishing equipment, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, paddles and dry life jackets to their original locations in the storage building. Wet life jackets should be placed in the designated drying area.
  • Lock the storage area during your activity period and after equipment has been returned. Keys should be immediately returned to Marbeck front desk. Report any lost or damaged equipment to Marbeck front desk.
  • Life jackets MUST be worn at all times while you are on the water.

If you are planning to participate in watersport activities – we ask you to bring a buddy to the preserve with you. Whistles are for use in case of an emergency to signal to your buddy you need assistance.

Pick up a map, guidelines or key for the shed to access watercraft and fishing equipment at the Marbeck Center Information Desk.

Student accounts

419-358-3443
Lower level, College Hall
This office is responsible for student payroll, student accounts, office services, collections, human resources and other business-related activities.

Student life office

Phill Talavinia, 
Vice president of student life and athletics
419-358-3226
Schultz Hall, 1st Floor
This office is located in Riley Court. Included in this administrative area are: residence halls, health service, student engagement, orientation of new students, conduct process, multicultural programs, campus store, dining service, Marbeck Center, religious activities, conferences and counseling.

Writing Center

Cynthia Bandish, director
First floor, Musselman Library
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
Lower level, Centennial Hall
419-358-3433

Bluffton University’s Technology Center, located in the lower level of Centennial Hall, opens before your first class and closes after dark. The Tech Center has plenty of PCs with Microsoft Office and the Adobe Creative Suite installed available for your use, including some with scanners. If you have your own laptop, there are workspaces for you to spread out to work on a project while accessing campus Wi-Fi. Do you need to print something? The Tech Center has both black and white and color printers as well as a paper cutter to help make your prints just right.

Beyond computers, we have cameras, tripods and other equipment available for students to check out for school projects or just for fun. There is plenty of space to work on group projects, including a pair of glass boards that you can use to brainstorm ideas and then digitally capture your work to share with your team.

If you have lost your student ID, come Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and we’ll reprint one for you. Finally, even if you don’t use any of these services, you may have a class that meets in our own classroom, G10, with desktop computers at every desk. Finally, our friendly student workers are eager to help you with anything in the Tech Center.
more info...

 Computer Help 

helpdesk@bluffton.edu

In an effort to support student access to campus computing resources necessary for academic achievement, Information Technology staff will respond to student requests for information and support through helpdesk@bluffton.edu. The staff will attempt to provide necessary information through email but 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 a personally owned computer or peripheral device.

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