Campus Security
The safety and security of the campus community: students, faculty, staff and visitors, is our number one concern. While Buena Vista University and Storm Lake are relatively safe environments, the campus is not exempt from the types of crime that exist in other northwest Iowa communities. Effective safety and security require cooperation and assistance from everyone at the University. The Office of Campus Security provides 24-hour-a-day security to the campus community. In addition, they offer several services including a 24-hour escort service, vehicle assistance, special needs transportation as well as medical/pharmacy transportation. The office also oversees emergency management and the parking program. Access the Annual Campus Security and Fire Report as well as other pertinent information at bvu.edu/campussecurity.
Career and Personal Development
Career and Personal Development provides training and career readiness services for students aligned with their academic endeavors. The Office encourages students and alumni to achieve their long-term goals by providing career counseling, information about the connection between majors and careers, self-assessment tools and interpretation, occupational information, and career explorations including shadowing, networking, and internships. Personal development programs focus on the BVU motto: Education for Service and inspire students to lead with shared processes and communal results. The staff and resources help students achieve their goals through leadership and alumni connections, job search advice and workshops, connections with employers, graduate school advising, and other tools that help students make a successful transition to the working world.
Student Success Coach Program
BVU Success Coaches support student growth and success in the first two years of college. All new students will be connected with a Success Coach to provide guidance with their transition to college. BVU is committed to ensuring all students have a network of support people to help them excel inside and outside the classroom as they progress to graduation and life as an alumnus. Success Coaches are housed in the Career and Personal Development Office.
Center for Academic Excellence
The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) is the university’s academic support and disability services unit. It provides services to enhance the teaching-learning experience for the university community.
The CAE provides tutors in almost all academic areas. We provide professionals in the areas of writing, math, and English language learning. We also provide peer tutors who are outstanding BVU students chosen because of their academic and teaching skills. Tutors are trained in learning strategies, study methods, social interaction, strategies for students with disabilities, and specific content area skills such as math methods and correctly citing sources to avoid plagiarism.
All students benefit from using the CAE. Many of the students who use the CAE are successful students who want to improve their skills. The CAE motto is: this is a place where good students come to be better students. Some students who require additional support use the CAE to help meet their academic goals.
- Students can schedule regular weekly appointments with the same tutor.
- Tutoring is provided at no additional charge to students.
- Students can use the CAE as an alternate study location.
- Students can meet with the director of the CAE as well as other members of the CAE staff to schedule individual appointments to improve their skills in time management, test taking, and studying.
Students can work with a professional math specialist, a professional writing specialist, an academic coach, or with peer tutors.
For more information, visit the CAE webpage at www.bvu.edu/cae.
Community and Student Engagement (CASE)
The Office of Community and Student Engagement supports student engagement, service activities, and experiential learning. Three full-time staff members coordinate and collaborate on a variety of programming and involvement opportunities including:
Alternative Week of Off-site Learning (AWOL) is our Alternative Spring Break Program. Each event pairs a volunteer experience with an opportunity for social interaction and skill development.
Buenafication Day is the university’s most beloved campus tradition in the spring. Classes are not scheduled on this day: students go out into the community as volunteers.
BV Buddies is a student-led program that pairs a BVU student with a Storm Lake Middle School student for an entire academic year for participation in tutoring and enrichment activities.
Student Activities Board (SAB) is a student run organization that provides free, fun entertainment planned to fit the diverse interests of the student body. Activities include movies, comedians, bands, laser tag and more. Each fall SAB hosts Homecoming Week activities, culminating with the coronation of the Homecoming king and queen.
Student MOVE, (Mobilizing, Outreach, Volunteer Efforts) assists individuals, groups, and faculty wanting to engage in community engagement opportunities. Local, regional, national, and international volunteer opportunities help students realize the importance of civic responsibility and engagement.
Student Organizations provide engagement on campus with over 50 active student organizations representing a wide variety of interests, services, and disciplines. The majority of BVU students involve themselves in one or more organizations as a means of developing skills or interests and distinguishing themselves for future careers.
Students who are interested in learning more about any of these programs should visit the Geisinger Student Leadership Center (GSLC) located in the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum.
Commuter Student Services
Student Success recognizes that commuter students have different needs and aims to provide services to best support commuters. Commuters receive information about services on campus, including storage available for student use on a first-come/first-served basis, regular social events, and access to a kitchen in Student Success to store meals.
Event Services
The Office of Event Services assists students with all of their co-curricular scheduling needs. They schedule rooms for events and meetings, ensure signs and equipment are in the room as ordered, and submit catering requests for food and beverage orders. External events are also scheduled through this office. Event Services hires work study students during the school year to assist with office duties and a conference staff in the summer to assist with external conferences that come to campus.
Disability Services
BVU provides comprehensive disability services to ensure all students have equal access to educational opportunities and resources. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for students with diverse abilites. For assistance with the academic program, including accessibility of courses, laboratories, or academic materials and academic accommodations, students should contact the Director of the Center for Academic Excellence at 712.749.1237 or museld@bvu.edu. For assistance with the co-curricular program, such as residence halls, food service, student activities, or other programs, students should contact the Associate Dean for Student Success in the Office of Student Success at 712.749.2123 or studentsuccess@bvu.edu.
Wellness Center
The goal of the Wellness Center is to provide a holistic and collaborative approach to student health by offering educational health care, preventative services, wellness education, counseling, and mental and physical health services to our students. The Wellness Center includes Health Services and Counseling Services and has a variety of relaxation resources and spaces available to help students explore various resources for improving their emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Wellness Center, which is home to both Health Services and Counseling Services, is located in Dixon-Eilers Hall in Room 207. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Health Services is staffed by registered nurses who create a culture of care so that students feel cared for as individuals. The staff is committed to encouraging students to collaborate and engage in the services provided. Health Services wants students to feel they have inherent value and the right to be treated with dignity. We enhance the educational process by helping to change or modify health-related barriers, promoting optimal wellness, and educating students to make informed decisions about health-related concerns.
Students are provided with assessment, treatment, and referrals for illness or injury. Referrals and appointments are made to appropriate health care providers. Basic medical supplies and over-the-counter medications are available to students at no charge. Other special equipment such as crutches, ice packs, heating pads, and vaporizers are available for loan.
The Wellness Center also offers counseling services to Storm Lake campus students at no cost. Counseling Services provides individual and group counseling, educational programming, referrals for off-campus care such as psychiatric medication monitoring, and consultation services. Counseling Services is committed to encouraging students to pursue personal growth and development and learn new skills to help develop self-awareness, confidence, and emotional agility. BVU offers both in-person and virtual mental health counseling options as well as access to a 24/7 mental health line.
All services offered through the Wellness Center are professional and confidential. Student health records are private and do not become part of the University record.
To learn more about the Wellness Center, including services, contact information, and how to schedule appointments, visit https://www.bvu.edu/student-life/campus-resources/wellness-center.
Mail and Printing Services
Mail is distributed to students during the scheduled semester and throughout May term. Mailboxes are located in the Forum hallway adjacent to Mail & Printing Services.
Recreation Services
The purpose of the Recreation Services program is to encourage and develop healthy habits among the BVU community by providing students opportunities to become involved, explore the world, and challenge themselves while building a foundation of healthy and balanced habits through all varieties of sntramural sports, outdoor recreation, and wellness initiatives. The Rec House is located in a lakefront house at 27 Peterson Drive. The university has many recreational items that can be checked out for students to use including canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, camping equipment, racquetball racquets, disc golf equipment, volleyballs, and golf clubs for lawn golf.
Residence Life
The Office of Residence Life provides the student with an educational experience outside the classroom through activities, educational and social programs, and leadership opportunities. Your residence hall room will be your “home away from home;” your fellow residents will become family and life-long friends. Residence Life is a fundamental part of the student’s university experience.
Associate Dean for Student Success and Residence Life: The Associate Dean is the head of the Office of Residence Life and is responsible for the supervision and administration of the residence life program and all functions associated with campus housing.
Area Coordinator (AC): The AC is a full-time staff member responsible for the efficient and effective operation of their residence hall(s). They develop an atmosphere within the residence hall which is conducive to academic endeavors, social development, personal growth, and community living.
Community Coordinator (CC): The CC is in an experienced Resident Assistant that works with the ACs and RAs to positively impact the campus on an area (multiple buildings) level.
Resident Assistant (RA): The RAs are students who serve the campus as resource personnel and paraprofessional advisors. As student leaders, they provide a valuable service to the student and university community throughout the academic year.
Residence Hall Live-In Requirement: To be eligible to reside in campus housing a student must be admitted and enrolled as a full-time (minimum 12 credits) degree seeking undergraduate or graduate student (6 credit hours per semester) at the University. All undergraduate students are required to reside in campus housing. All residential students are required to have a meal plan. Students enrolled in semester-long internship programs, student teaching or study abroad are exempt from the requirement to live in campus housing for that semester. The student must notify the Office of Student Success before the completion of the previous semester of their change in status. Exceptions must be approved by the Associate Dean in conjunction with the Vice President for Student Success. Students are responsible for the terms and conditions of their existing housing contract and must fulfill mandatory immunization requirements as outlined by Health Services to live in residential facilities. Students who are legally married, living with parents or legal guardians, enrolled for fewer than twelve semester credit hours, have completed eight previous semesters at BVU, are 23 years of age at the time of fall registration, or have served in military service and are receiving GI benefits are not required to live on-campus. Students who are younger than 17 years of age or who are 23 years of age or older must request permission in writing to reside on campus. Additionally, students who are under the age of 18 require parental consent to reside on campus. These requests must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Success or their designee and will be processed on a case-by-case basis. Students permitted to reside on campus who are younger than 17 years of age or who are 23 years of age or older may be subject to semester reviews where residential eligibility is evaluated. Buena Vista University reserves the right to make housing decisions based on the holistic development of the student and individual circumstances.
Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Spiritual Life
Buena Vista University seeks to nurture spiritual growth, build moral responsibility, and provide creative opportunities for each student to carry the attitude of servanthood as an element of life’s vocation and calling. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the campus welcomes students of all religious backgrounds and faith and values the diverse national, religious and ethnic make-up of the entire university community. A weekly time for praise and worship is provided on Thursdays at 11 a.m. throughout the academic year for the BVU community to gather to pause, pray, celebrate, and reflect in the midst of our hectic schedules. The student ministry leadership helps coordinate the current faith-based organizations on campus. The purpose of these organizations is to assist and encourage students in their spiritual growth as well as provide opportunities for developing meaningful, supportive friendships. Activities include Bible and book studies, worship, recreational events, and community service projects, along with large and small group retreats. The University Chaplain provides leadership for the practice and development of spirituality and an appreciation of differing world religions. Additionally, the Chaplain offers confidential counseling, spiritual direction, and a variety of resources for spiritual growth as well as pre-marital counseling, weddings, grief counseling, and memorial services.
Multicultural and International Student Services
Buena Vista University seeks to promote inclusivity on campus by providing outstanding academic, diversity, and social programming as well as high level support for a diverse student body. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for creating an environment advantageous to broadening the perspective of diversity and inclusion, developing opportunities for students to learn and understand the importance of multiculturalism, and creating pathways for students, faculty, and staff to come together for cultural exchange and celebration. This is facilitated by programming efforts such as Diversity & Inclusion Week, community collaborations, and multicultural student organizations advised within the Center. The purpose of these organizations is to assist and encourage students in their cultural exploration and identity development. The international student services program aids students from around the world in learning, acclimating to new environments, and exchanging cultural ideas and education.
Library Services
The BVU Library exists to meet the information needs of our students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their physical location. The library offers 150,000 book volumes and access to over 29,000 periodical titles in print or online format within a comfortable and elegant study atmosphere that features a mix of individual and group study seating areas. Reference services include group and individual instruction in the use of both electronic and print library resources as well as assistance with all research and information queries. An online chat option allows for interactive dialog with a librarian. Reference librarians may be reached by telephone 712.749.2095, toll free 877.288.2240 or via e-mail, library@bvu.edu.
Access to the online catalog and over 50 research databases is available around the clock. The library’s Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) service allows students to reach beyond BVU Library’s own collections to obtain books and articles from other libraries all over the world.
Other features of the library include networked computers and wireless access for those using laptops, replacement batteries for laptops at the Circulation Desk, and photocopier, scanning, and FAX services. The lending period for most library materials is 30 days.
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