There are many services to students that are provided by various offices of the university. For needs which may not be addressed in this handbook, please contact the Executive Director of Student Life for assistance.
First-Year Initiative
First-Year Initiative (FYI) is Baptist University of Florida’s plan for fostering student success. The purpose of this initiative is to equip new students with the knowledge and skills needed to complete their first year of university successfully, whether on campus or online.
The First-Year Initiative has two components:
FYI 101. Student Success Course. Required for incoming students without post- secondary experience (including dual enrollment and/or advanced standing), this three-semester hour course is designed to equip new students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed personally, academically, and spiritually in Baptist University of Florida environment. For more information, contact the First-Year Student Liaison.
Early Warning and Intervention Plan. This plan is designed to help identify students experiencing academic and other university-related difficulties placing them “at risk” of failure and provide the appropriate personnel and resources to intervene. For more information, contact the Registrar. Students in need of assistance may also click on the “Need Help?” icon available on the MyBUF page.
Bicycles and Skateboards and Rollerskating
Students are allowed to bring a bicycle. Bicycle racks are located in several areas around campus and are to be used to park bicycles. Bicycles are not allowed in the residence halls or in other university buildings. Skateboards and roller- skates may not be ridden inside of any building.
Hoverboards are not permitted at any place on campus at any time.
Bulletin Boards
A bulletin board is provided in the Wellness Center where announcements may be posted. Announcements on these boards should be of a reasonable size. They should also be neat, dated, and relevant for the university community (students, faculty, and staff). Matters of a personal nature, such as promoting a student's personal ministry, do not belong on these bulletin boards.
Announcements may not be placed in other places on campus. All posted announcements must be approved by the Marketing Office.
Information about off-campus housing opportunities should be brought to the Housing Office, where it will be processed and added to the appropriate list. Information about ministry opportunities and jobs should be brought to the Executive Director of Student Life for dissemination.
Counseling Services
The university offers counseling assistance through the Office of Student Life. Personal counseling is available on campus by appointment with a Licensed Mental Health Counselor during office hours.
Students with Disabilities
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that: “No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States … shall, solely by reason of … disability, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Baptist University of Florida supports the integration of all qualified individuals into the programs of the university and is committed to full compliance with all laws regarding equal opportunity for all students with a disability. Students, faculty, the Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs, division chairs, and various department leaders all play a joint role in ensuring equal access to campus facilities and programs.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Annual Notification
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar, Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is:
- A person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position, including health or medical staff.
- A person elected to the Board of Trustees.
- A person employed by or under contract to the university to perform a special task, such as an attorney or auditor.
- A person who is employed by the university security (law enforcement) unit.
- A student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is:
- Performing a task that is specified in his or her position description or contract agreement.
- Performing a task related to a student's education.
- Performing a task related to the discipline of a student.
- Providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student's family, such as health care, counseling, job placement or financial aid.
- Maintaining the safety and security of the campus.
Upon request, the university discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
The following data is considered to be directory information and may be given to an inquirer, either in person, by mail or by telephone, and may be otherwise made public: name of student, address (both local, including email address and permanent), telephone number (both local and permanent), photograph, date and place of birth, date of registered attendance, school or division of enrollment, major field of study, nature and dates of degrees and awards received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams. If the inquiry is made in person or by mail, a student’s date and place of birth and signature may be confirmed.
An individual student currently enrolled may request that such directory information not be disclosed by completing a nondisclosure form which may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office and giving the completed form to the Registrar prior to the last day to register or add courses for credit.
Students with complaints about violations to student record privacy or access to records may contact the Executive Director of Student Life at 850-263-3261 ext. 415. Students also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Financial Aid
Baptist University of Florida seeks to provide students quality education at a reasonable cost. The following is a typical nine-month budget for a single student, living in a residence hall, with 15 semester hours per semester for the Fall and Spring semesters. (These figures do not include personal expenses and transportation. Cost for married students may vary. Check the Academic Catalog.)
| Tuition |
$13,800.00
|
| Books and Supplies |
$1,200.00
|
| Fees |
$1,000.00
|
| Room and Meals |
$5,082.00
|
| Total |
$21,082.00
|
The student and his/her family are expected to pay as much as possible of the cost. Financial aid is designed to pay the difference between what the student and his/her family can pay and the actual educational costs. Available to BUF students is a full range of state and federal aid programs, denominational scholarships, and university assistance programs. The applicant's financial need, academic achievement, community and school service, and potential achievement may be considered in determining eligibility for different programs. An extensive description of financial aid programs and resources is provided in the current Academic Catalog. Interested applicants should write or call the Financial Aid Office directly to secure application forms and to determine their eligibility for specific assistance.
Food Service
The Deese Center is open daily during the Fall and Spring semesters. Meal plans are available for purchase during registration and commuter plans are available throughout the semester. Vending machines are also accessible at different locations on campus as well as the King’s Cup Coffee Shop & Bistro.
Health Services
A doctor’s clinic is located across the street from the university. The Chipley Hospital is located approximately 15 miles from the university on Hwy 77, as well as two hospitals in nearby Dothan. Graceville has a 911 emergency service.
In case of student illness or emergencies requiring medical assistance in a classroom, the professor will notify the Office of the Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs and/or the appropriate medical facility or call 911 for assistance. When a residence hall student needs emergency medical care, the Resident Assistant of the hall will contact the appropriate medical personnel or call 911.
The Board of Trustees encourages every student to enroll in and maintain enrollment in a health insurance plan in accordance with state and federal laws.
Laundry Service
Students pay a $100 laundry fee per semester for unlimited use. There are machines located in each dorm building and in the laundry building on campus. The laundry building is located next to the Southwest Apartments across from Lakeside Hall.
Lost and Found
Items found should be turned in at the Campus Safety Office in McRae-Morrow Hall.
Maintenance
Physical Plant maintenance needs, except those in the residence halls, should be reported by email to bhamilton@buf.edu. Residence hall maintenance and repair needs should be reported to the Resident Assistant of that hall.
Ministry Referral and Employment Opportunities
The university assists students and alumni in their pursuit of employment and ministry opportunities.
Ministry Referral is a service that provides ministry opportunities on our website. The university can only refer current students or alumni; placement is not guaranteed.
Off Campus Housing
The Housing Office helps to provide information about available off-campus housing.
Parking
Parking is permitted only in designated areas on campus. All students are required to display an official university decal for any vehicle they wish to park on campus. Decals are obtained from the Campus Safety Office in McRae-Morrow Hall during regular office hours.
Students may park in any non-designated space on campus.
Tickets will be issued for improper parking, not having a BUF parking decal properly displayed, parking in a handicap zone without the proper handicap decal displayed, driving or parking on grass, driving in the wrong direction on campus, and any other traffic violation that is observed.
These are the fines for observed violations:
| First offense |
Warning |
| Second offense |
$10 Fine |
| Third offense |
$20 Fine |
| Any offense after the third |
$50 Fine |
On the third offense the student reports to the Director of Campus Safety to receive a written reprimand that is to be placed in his/her file.
Unauthorized parking in a designated handicap parking space will be ticketed and charged a fine of $250.00 for the first offense. Subsequent offenses will result in a fine with the offender losing all campus parking privileges for one semester. All tickets will stay in a student’s file for one year.
Appeal Process
Any person who believes his/her vehicle has been ticketed in error without cause may appeal. All appeals must be made to the Director of Campus Safety within five (5) business days of the date appearing on the citation or the right to appeal is forfeited. All appeals must be in writing.
Parking Recreational Vehicles
The university provides parking spaces for recreational vehicles. These spaces are limited in number and availability. They are intended for use by volunteers and friends and family of the university community. Use of the spaces is limited to a maximum time of two weeks except for volunteer work groups on the campus.
No recreational vehicles are to be parked in the housing areas or at any place other than that designated by the school. All use of the spaces is to be scheduled through the Director of Campus Safety.
Socializing
BUF encourages Christian fellowship in the university family. When socializing during evening hours, students are asked to take appropriate precautions for everyone's safety and well-being. Although there is no curfew, BUF discourages socializing after midnight.
Student Mailboxes
The student boxes are for students living in residence halls only. They are located in the Student Center just outside the President’s Conference Room. The boxes are used to deliver U. S. mail and students need to check their boxes several times each week. Student mailboxes are assigned by the Housing Office.
Student Photo ID Cards
During New Student Orientation, each new student will have his/her photo ID card made. This card is used for identification purposes on and off campus and is essential for checking out books from the McMillan Library and recreational equipment for use in the Wellness Center. All students are required to have their student ID cards on them at all times and must present them to university officials and campus safety personnel when requested. Students on the university meal plan are required to show ID cards when entering the cafeteria. There is a $5.00 charge to replace a lost ID card. Lost ID fees are paid in the Business Office. ID cards are issued by the Registrar’s Office.
Testing at BUF
Students at BUF will encounter several kinds of tests that are used for a number of different purposes. One such test is the classroom variety which includes daily quizzes, sectionals, mid-terms, and finals which must be passed to gain university credit in the courses taken. Other tests fall into three major categories: placement, Proficiency Profile test, and program evaluation assessments.
It may be observed that testing at BUF is varied, but each test serves a specific purpose. Behind the testing is an attempt to offer students the best possible opportunity to succeed in the shortest possible time. Placement testing makes possible arrangements for special help. Testing also opens sources of financial aid to our student body that would be otherwise unavailable.
Tests for Placements
English and math instructors administer an in-house, remedial course exemption test at the beginning of the semester. Should a student's placement appear to be in error, based on exemption test results, he/she may transfer to an appropriate English or Math course as advised by the General Education Division.
Teacher Education Tests
To enroll in professional and elementary education courses of the Teacher Education Program (TEP) of Baptist University of Florida, a student must have earned 50 hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better and must have passed the General Knowledge section of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE).
Additionally, students enrolled in teacher education certification programs must pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE). As well as complete the education internships. Graduation requirements for Teacher Education Majors are located in the Academic Catalog.
Program Evaluations
In an attempt to evaluate institutional effectiveness, program coordinators, together with the Office of Institutional Research and Strategic Planning, have designed a series of evaluations based on a collective list of competencies drawn from the General Education Foundation, the Biblical/Theological Foundation, and each of the academic programs. The evaluations were designed to assess student learning during and after completion of the chosen program of studies.
Ultimately, evaluations are intended to reveal strengths and weaknesses in curriculum and instruction and facilitate learning. Evaluation results will be used to assist the faculty and administration in strengthening academic programs and in seeking ways to better prepare students for their chosen fields of ministry. Graduating seniors are required to participate in the exit interviews.