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Admissions
Dixon-Eilers Hall (DE) 120 • Phone 2235. The first contact students have with Buena Vista University is usually with an admissions counselor. The Office of Admissions provides support for potential new students and their families as they complete the steps from point of first inquiry to application and through enrollment. The Admissions Office also assists prospective students with the financial aid process. www.bvu.edu/admissions
Alumni & Development
Ballou Library • Phone 2101. This department provides communication, leadership and programming to enhance loyalty and commitment to the University among BVU students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, friends, corporations, foundations and the Presbyterian Church. The Office of Alumni and Development is a service division of the institution. Its purpose is to market and secure philanthropic support for Buena Vista University. www.bvu.edu/alumni
Associate Dean of Faculty
DE 107D • Phone 2205. Associate Dean of Faculty Dr. Peter Steinfeld assists the vice president for academic affairs/dean of faculty and coordinates faculty hiring, interim, ACES, advising and the University Seminar program, the college catalog, academic standing, the student recognition banquet, the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), the honors program, and intermational and new student academic orientation.
Business Office
DE 103 • Phone 2041. . The Business Office handles all matters pertaining to student accounts. This includes tuition, room and board, as well as any additional charges (i.e., cable, phone, computer damages, parking, and student health insurance). Parking stickers are non-refundable. Students can add money to their print accounts or pay for replacement ID’s here. Official transcripts will not be released if there is a balance due on a student’s account. Part-time students may lease notebook computers by semester. This optional semester charge is payable at the Business Office. (Full-time students receive a notebook computer and iPad at no additional charge.) Phone bills are generated for anyone who elects to use BVU’s long distance phone service, and are payable at the Business Office. Prepaid phone cards are also available for purchase. For students who have a car on campus, parking stickers can be purchased and any parking fines should be paid here. All full-time resident and/or commuter students are required to have health insurance. If a student chooses to enroll in an insurance program accessible through BVU, they can inquire and pay at the Business Office. Any questions or requests pertaining to student organization accounts should be directed to this office. Work-study payroll is processed every two weeks and students can pick up their checks at the Business Office with proof of ID. Students also have the option of directly depositing their paycheck into their bank account, with the appropriately completed form.
Facilites Management
Fehr Facilities Building • 1100 Vestal St. • Phone 2230. The responsibility of this department is to assist in designing, maintaining, and operating a safe, healthy, and aesthetically pleasant environment in which its students, faculty, and staff can function and accomplish their educational goals. Director Keith Schmidt, Assistant Director Andy Taylor, and Custodial Manager Doug Carlton oversee maintenance, custodial, university grounds, and coordinates special projects. www.bvu.edu/bv/facilities-management/
Financial Assistance
DE 104 • Phone 2164. Financial Aid is awarded to students through scholarships, grants, loans and work opportunities. BVU disburses funds from the Federal government, the State of Iowa, private donors and Buena Vista University. Financial aid comes in three forms. www.bvu.edu/financialassistance/
- Scholarships/Grants: Awarded to students based on financial need and academic achievement. These forms of assistance do not have to be repaid.
- Loans: Made to students at low-interest rates; must be repaid.
- Work Opportunities: Awarded to students through jobs on or off campus during the school year.
Office of Student Affairs
Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum • Phone 2123. The Office for Student Affairs includes: Campus Security, Career Services and Internships, Civic Engagement, Commuter Students, Counseling Services, Health Services & Wellness, Intercultural Programs, International Student Services, Intramurals, Recreation & Outdoor Adventure, Residence Life & Housing, Student Success, Spiritual Life, Student Activities and Student Judicial Services. www.bvu.edu/bv/student-affairs/
Office of the President
Ballou Library 101 • Phone 2103. Frederick V. Moore, J.D., is the 17th president of Buena Vista University and is in his 15th year of service. Donna Schoneboom serves as assistant to the president. www.bvu.edu/president/
Registrar
DE 101 • Phone 2233. The Registrar's Office is responsible for academic course registration, changes in registration (drop/add/withdrawals/grade system designation), and changes to students' personal information including such things as address, name, major/minor, and academic advisor. Enrollment verification for loan deferments, veterans benefits, insurance, and employment are processed through this office. Students' access to their own academic information such as degree audits, grade reports and unofficial transcripts is facilitated through this office. Official transcript requests from current and former students are processed. Students may contact the Registrar's Office with questions about transcript evaluations and progress toward, and verification of, degree completion. The Registrar's Office also facilitates faculty access to such things as class and grade reports and advisee information. www.bvu.edu/registrar
Study Abroad Coordinator
Dr. Dixee Bartholomew-Feis oversees study abroad experiences in a variety of countries including: Austria, Australia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, England, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and Wales.
University Marketing & Communications
526 College Street • Phone 2120. The Office of University Marketing & Communications manages the communications, publications and web and new media development for the University. Members of the UMC Staff are available to provide public relations and marketing assistance to all areas of the university. The office also handles media requests and works with university personnel to coordinate crisis communication and major announcements. www.bvu.edu/umc
Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty
DE 107A • Phone 2243. The vice president for academic affairs/dean of faculty oversees all facets of the academic programs on the Storm Lake campus and BVU Graduate & Professional Studies.
Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students
Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum • Phone 2123. The vice president for student affairs/dean of students oversees all facets of the Offices for Student Affairs, Conference Services, Siebens Forum Operations and Athletics.
The Buena Vista University Academic Catalog has a complete listing of the academic policies and procedures. The items listed below are a small portion of that information (consult the catalog for official academic information).
Academic and Cultural Events Series
ACES is a graduation requirement for all full-time students attending BVU at the Storm Lake campus. It consists of two series of events: one that emphasizes performance (cultural events) and one that emphasizes lecture (academic events). Cultural ACES are worldly touring events such as orchestras, dance, theater and vocal performances. These are more formal events that require a student to dress appropriately. Academic ACES are lectures in which students are able to pick and choose from a variety of subjects. Beginning in their first semester of attendance, students at the Storm Lake campus are required to attend eight events each semester, in accordance with specific guidelines, until their requirement is completed. Additional information is available in the student catalog, at www.bvu.edu/aces, or may be requested from the ACES Director, or the Office of the Registrar.
Academic Assessment
Each student is assigned an advisor. First-year students are assigned a faculty member who serves as their freshman advisor, and who generally will be their instructor in university seminar. New transfer students, regardless of class standing, will also initially be advised by their university seminar instructor. Sophomore students choose, or are assigned, a faculty advisor in their field of study. Student's who change their field of study may choose, or are assigned, a new advisor. Your faculty advisor is available to assist you with your academic pursuits.
Academic Schools
Each academic school is served by a dean.
School of Communication and Arts
Dr. Michael Whitlatch • Dean's Office, phone 2670
School of Science
Professor Ben Donath • Dean's Office, phone 2191
School of Social Science, Philosophy and Religion
Dr. Dixee Bartholomew-Feis • Dean's Office, phone 2131
Harold Walter Siebens School of Business
Dr. Elizabeth Throop • Interim Dean's Office, phone 2419
School of Education
Julie Finnern • Dean's Office, phone 2065
Class Standing
Class standing is based on the total credit hours earned and is recorded as such. To be classified as a sophomore, junior or senior, a student must have earned the following:
| Standing | Earned Credit Hours |
| Freshman | fewer than 24 |
| Sophomore | 24 - 55.99 |
| Junior | 56 - 86.99 |
| Senior | 87 or more |
Classes
Most classes meet on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday basis. Typical Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes meet for 50 minutes (e.g. 8-8:50 a.m., 9-9:50 a.m.), and Tuesday-Thursday classes meet for 75 minutes (e.g. 8-9:15 a.m., 12-1:15 p.m.). There are no classes scheduled from 11-12 a.m. on Thursday in order for students to attend chapel if they choose to participate.
Credit Hours
A credit or credit hour is a measure of academic work. Frequently, but not always, the number of credits assigned to a course indicates the number of hours per week that a class will meet.
Change of Grade Contract
If a student is unable to complete the coursework assigned in a particular semester, he/she may be eligible to contract for a change of grade and be allowed an extension of time in which to complete the work. Students must request this option with the faculty member teaching the course.
Drop/Add Process
Specific procedures for dropping or adding a course are outlined in the Academic Catalog.
Grading
The standard A, B, C, D, F method is used for grading, with "A" = 4 grade points, "B" = 3 grade points, "C" = 2 grade points, "D" = 1 grade point and "F" = 0 grade points. The grade point average (GPA) is measured numerically by multiplying the grades received by the number of credit hours taken. The cumulative GPA is for all the grades received at Buena Vista University and does not include transfer credits from previously attended colleges.
Honors Program
Any Buena Vista University student with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7 is eligible to apply to the Honors Program. The Honors Program encourages students to develop their academic talents beyond the regular programs at the University and is designed to provide greater depth to the student's regular academic program through specialized Intellectual Explorations courses, dialogue and research work. Special opportunities may be organized around topics of special interest to the honor students. Students present their final capstone projects in a public forum. The Buena Vista University Honors Program is especially aimed for students contemplating graduate or professional school. Specific information on the Honors Program may be obtained from Dr. Bryan Kampbell honors program director.
Independent Studies and Directed Studies
These classes are arranged between the student and faculty member who supervises the work and require permission from the faculty member, appropriate school dean, and associate dean of faculty. Upperclass standing is required for both. In addition, a 3.0 CGPA is required to undertake an Independent Study.
Majors
The field of study a student plans to pursue constitutes a "major." A student declares his/her major through the Registrar's Office. Students who are undecided about a course of study should consult their academic advisor and/or the Career Services Office. Students who decide to change majors, must fill out a "Change of Major" form, available in the Registrar's Office.
Minors
Students may elect to complete the requirements for a minor (or for a second major) in addition to a primary major. A minor may be a regular minor in a specific field of study, or a distributive minor. Credit hours required for a minor range from 18-24.
P/F System
In addition to the A, B, C, D or F method, there is also a P/F (i.e. pass-fail) system. In this system, “P” = Pass, “F” = Failing grade. Grades of “P” are not computed within your semester GPA or cumulative GPA but do go toward earned credit hours needed to graduate. Grades of “F” are computed in your semester and cumulative GPAs.
There is a limit to how many courses a student may take P/F. A student may take only one P/F course per semester, no more than two P/F courses in his/her declared major. Students are encouraged to check the official P/F policy in the Academic Catalog.
Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
The Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is an elective curriculum that students take along with their major program of study through which they gain an appreciation for ground warfare and doctrine. ROTC is designed to give students tools, training, and experiences that will help them succeed in any competitive environment. Students may participate in ROTC as first-year and sophomore students without any obligation to join the Army. Enrolling in the Army ROTC basic course does NOT involve a commitment to the Army unless students have received a ROTC scholarship. Students completing four years of the ROTC program upon graduation will be commissioned as an officer in the Army. See the catalog for more details.
University Seminar
All new students enrolling at BVU in Storm Lake in the fall or spring semester must take OBVU 100, University Seminar. This course focuses on a broad academic theme to assist students in developing the academic skills necessary to succeed at the University. Sections meet together at other specific times for presentations, lectures, and other information sessions concerning BVU resources and other relevant matters. Specific presentation of the theme is at the discretion of individual course instructors, but each section must meet common learning outcomes.