Atmosphere
All university life focuses upon preparation for Christian living. Administration, faculty, staff, and students join together to exalt Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior. Everyone makes a sincere effort to exemplify the highest of Christian principles whether on or off the campus.
Campus Life
American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
The BUF student chapter of the AACC meets monthly to foster a learning environment in which students, professors, administration, and guest professionals in the field, meet to share ideas that promote a counseling theory and practice that is fully integrated with a Christian worldview.
Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM)
BCM exists to foster collegiality and fellowship among students at BUF. It provides a variety of activities including worship, recreational events, special classes, and other major events. BCM is open to all BUF students.
Recreation
BUF also offers a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities providing Christian fellowship and exercise for the university family. The Wellness Center offers opportunities for basketball, volleyball, and weightlifting. Outdoor recreational facilities include a soccer/flag football field and a disc golf course. For those who prefer competitive activity, intramural leagues include basketball, flag football, kickball, volleyball, and soccer.
Spiritual Enrichment
The university provides numerous special events throughout the year to enrich campus life and to further spiritual development. These include the Missions Conference and various musical programs and concerts.
Chapel services are conducted in the R. G. Lee Chapel two days each week and broadcast on Facebook Live. The programs vary, generally featuring a sermon by the president, a faculty member, or an invited speaker. Students and all other members of the campus community are expected to attend. These services, held Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the regular semester, are occasions of valuable spiritual fellowship and inspiration.
Impact 1:8
Besides the academic training that a student receives at Baptist University of Florida, the University also provides opportunities for the practical aspects of ministry, too. Whether our students are called into full-time Christian service or not, they will all have opportunities to serve the Lord in a variety of capacities. To encourage each degree-seeking student in any major in the School of Theology & Ministry to be active in ministry activities at all of our campuses and online, the University has developed a program entitled “Impact 1:8.” The basis of this program is Acts 1:8. This verse states: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Impact 1:8 program seeks to balance the academic and theoretical content learned in the classroom with the practical components of ministry outside of regular class activities. Students will be required to participate in two specific types of activities and to report on those activities throughout each semester.
Impact 1:8 Assignments
Each degree-seeking student in the School of Theology & Ministry at Baptist University of Florida will complete practical missions activities in two areas each semester: personal witnessing and ministry activities.
The first activity is sharing the gospel. Each student will be asked to share the gospel at least one time every eight weeks during the semester. What constitutes a gospel presentation? The goal is for each student to make an earnest attempt to present the plan of salvation with a non-believer. As a part of this presentation, the student attempts to share the gospel and gives the individual an opportunity to respond.
The second activity relates to a ministry-related event. Each student will be asked to participate in at least one ministry related event every eight weeks during a semester. A ministry-related event can be described as any event in which the student serves his/her church in a missional activity. Examples of this include working with a ministry at your church; working with youth or children; going on a mission trip; working with your Sunday School class or small group; or working with a missional organization in some capacity. This list is not exhaustive but gives examples of ministry-related activities in which one can participate. The university will provide multiple ministry opportunities or projects during each semester as well.
Reporting
Once a student completes one of the assignments, he/she will go to MyBUF to give a report for the work. If a student does not complete the Impact 1:8 activities during the semester, he/she will receive a grade of “F” for that respective semester in the Impact 1:8 module. This grade will not affect a student’s overall GPA since it is a zero-credit course. However, it will appear on the student’s transcript.
Publications
The university publishes Echoes, a quarterly magazine sent to alumni and friends; the Catalog; the Student Handbook; the Viewbook; and a monthly e-newsletter entitled the Eagle’s Nest. BUF also maintains a comprehensive website located at www.buf.edu, as well as social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Services
Advising
Baptist University of Florida provides academic advising for students enrolled in both degree and non-degree programs. Students are expected to schedule an appointment and meet with their advisor or an appropriate individual designated by the university. The purpose of such meetings is to assist students in planning a course of study that will result in the timely completion of a degree or other educational goals.
Students who do not plan a logical, orderly course of study appropriate to a given major are at risk of not completing their degrees or other educational goals on time. The university cannot assume responsibility for students who fail to plan accordingly.
Academic Support
Baptist University of Florida provides academic support in several forms. The Information Technology Laboratory is equipped with computers and related software for student use. Students needing assistance in writing skills may utilize the services of the staff and equipment in the Writing Center. Students who need tutorial services in other courses may request assistance from their professors and the Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs.
Counseling
The university provides individual and guidance counseling services. For more information, call (850) 263-3261, ext. 474.
Employment Opportunities
The Development Office maintains a posting of available jobs for students and family members. There is also a link on the BUF website.
Food Service - Deese Center
The food service is located in the Deese Center, providing three meals each weekday.
Izzy’s Isle
Izzy’s Isle Campus Store is located in the Frank Farris Student Center and offers a variety of memorabilia that students, alumni, faculty and staff, friends of the University, and prospective students may purchase that represent the spirit of BUF.
King’s Cup Coffee Shop and Bistro
King’s Cup Coffee Shop and Bistro is located in the Frank Faris Student Center and offers a variety of beverages, sandwiches, and snacks.
Ministry Referral
The Ministry Referral service provides resumes to churches and other ministries that are seeking staff members. Students and alumni seeking opportunities for ministry may make their file active in this registry through the Student Life office or Registrar’s office.
New Student Orientation
Participation in New Student Orientation is required of all students who are beginning their first semester at Baptist University of Florida. New Student Orientation provides essential information about university policies, campus facilities, and university life. Sessions include special times of fellowship and recreation with other students, faculty, and staff members. Attendance is mandatory. Orientation for online students is provided through email messages and links and IT 110 N. Orientation to Online Learning.
Housing
Single students, under 21 years of age, not commuting from home, must live in an on-campus residence hall for the first four semesters of attendance at BUF (not counting summer semesters).
Baptist University of Florida offers two- and three-bedroom apartments for married couples and families. For single men and single women, there are residence halls. Students who live in residence hall housing must follow the procedures outlined in the Housing contract. They must check in with the Resident Assistant no later than the first day of class each semester and check out and move any day up until the last day of the semester. Please check the BUF academic calendar in this catalog for specific dates. All students residing in campus housing are required to be enrolled in at least 12 hours each semester.
For information about housing costs, see the financial section of the catalog.
Chapel Participation
Baptist University of Florida offers a variety of activities and events that are intended to enhance a student’s university experience. Based on our Christian worldview, one of the activities we offer is chapel, a worship experience that usually includes worship music and biblical preaching. Chapel meets on Tuesday and Wednesday each week of the fall and spring semesters.
Residential Students: Because of the value we place on the chapel experience, we require each residential student on our Graceville campus to attend all chapel services in person, allowing for three services to be viewed online. Once a student attends or views Chapel, he/she will go to Canvas to give a report for the work.
Online and Commuter Students: Online and Commuter degree-seeking students on all our campuses are required to attend chapel at least twelve times over the course of each semester. Available options for students include live/in-person chapel on campus, live-streamed chapel services, and recorded services provided on the university’s website. Students are encouraged to attend/participate in one of the live options if possible but to participate in the recorded versions if necessary.
Once a student attends chapel, he/she will go to Canvas to give a report for the work. If a student does not attend the required number of services, he/she will receive a grade of “F” for that respective semester in the chapel attendance module. This grade will not affect a student’s overall GPA since it is a zero-credit course. However, it will appear on the student’s transcript.