The Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management oversees this Division of the College, which is responsible for those aspects of college life that are non-academic in nature. This includes admissions, alumni affairs, counseling, testing, and advising, financial aid, health and wellness, housing, retention, student life, student support services and suicide prevention programs. To meet these needs, the Division is organized into two broad categories: Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
Student Affairs
The student body of Bluefield State College is a microcosm of the region it serves. No “typical” Bluefield State student exists. The College provides many services to all students, with the objectives of assisting each to adjust to the college environment, to enrich student life not only in the classroom, but also through co-curricular activities, and to foster cultural and social activities and relationships that result in growth. The mission of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management is to support Bluefield State College’s purpose of making education possible for all by contributing to the enrichment of the minds and lives of students. The Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Office promotes and supports the intellectual, cultural, personal, and social development of students while enhancing their physical and mental well-being. The Division accomplishes this mission by:
- Preparing students to be informed and active citizens within our society.
- Providing programs and services that support students as they clarify their personal values, develop personal identities, build sound interpersonal relationships, explore career directions, and pursue academic goals.
- Providing assistance and services to promote diversity, cultural richness, and full participation of all students within the college community.
- Assisting students who have particular needs related to factors such as minority status, disability, health, financial resources, or nontraditional status.
- Supporting a college environment that is safe and promotes students’ intellectual inquiry and responsible decision-making.
- Promoting leadership by training and supervising students who conduct activities on behalf of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
- Promoting a safe, secure, pleasant, and cost-effective student-housing environment, and the all-around effectiveness of life on campus.
The Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Division coordinates and assumes responsibility for all activities and services directly affecting the welfare of each student. Such responsibilities include health services, counseling, the student activities program, social organizations, fraternities and sororities, campus publications, student government, intramurals and recreation, and wellness programs. In this section, students will find the necessary information to become involved in the student services programs of the College. Students are encouraged to use these services. The staff welcomes inquiries from prospective students, as well as from parents, guardians, alumni, and the public.
In addition to the information included in the Academic Catalog, more detailed information is published in the Student Handbook, in the Student Athlete Handbook, and the Student Organization Handbook.
Mutual Responsibility Agreement
The acceptance of a student for admittance and enrollment at Bluefield State College constitutes an agreement of mutual responsibility. The student’s part of the agreement is to accept established college rules and policies, to respect the rules of governmental units, and to act in a responsible manner appropriate to these laws, rules, and policies. The Student Handbook, containing a statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, is available on the Bluefield State College website at http://bluefieldstate.edu/student-life/student-handbook.
Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center, funded through Title III, is designed to provide educational assistance, counseling services, and a variety of cultural activities to any student at Bluefield State College. The goals of the program are to improve academic performance and to increase graduation and retention rates of participants in the program. The Academic Success Center provides the following services to program participants:
- Peer and professional tutoring
- Peer mentoring and coaching
- Personal, academic, financial, graduate, and career counseling
- Academic recovery for students with GPAs below a 2.0 or below standards for selective admissions programs
- Academic Advising
- Access to a computer lab funded by the Academic Success Center and assistance for computer related issues
- Seminars and workshops for academic and personal development
- Referrals to appropriate agencies for outreach services, and
- Cultural enrichment activities
The Academic Success Center is located on the first floor of the Basic Science Building. Applications for services can be completed in BS 113 from 8 AM - 4 PM, Monday - Friday.
ADA Accommodations
Accessibility Statement
Bluefield State College is committed to providing students, faculty and staff with access to its facilitites and the technology and information they need to succeed in and out of the classroom, and that these resources are accessible in accordance with applicable law.
This page contains resources for those who require accessible technology or who have questions about accessibility at the college.
Accommodations Requests
If you encounter something that is not accessible, please use the following contact information for submitting requests:
For Students:
Students who need accommodations should contact Carolyn Kirby, ADA Services Coordinator at ckirby@bluefieldstate.edu or call (304) 327-4098.
For Faculty and Staff:
Faculty and staff who need accommodations should contact the Office of Human Resources by emailing jaughenbaugh@bluefieldstate.edu or calling (304) 327-4013.
For Visitors:
Visitors who need accommodations should contact the person, department or organization sponsoring the event.
Assistive Technology
Students needing assistive techonology should contact Carolyn Kirby, ADA Services Coordinator at ckirby@bluefieldstate.edu or call (304) 327-4098.
Health Services
The Bluefield State College Student Health Center is an innovative academic nurse-managed health care service located on the Bluefield campus in Room 210 of the Ned E. Shott Physical Education building. The Center offers health care to students as well as staff and faculty members who choose to utilize the Center for healthcare.
The focus of care includes health education, health promotion, and care for common health problems, health referral, and first aid for minor injuries. The Center offers physical exams and women’s health care services. The Health Center is a service provided through the Student Affairs Office not the School of Nursing and Allied Health.
Health care is provided by nursing faculty members who are nationally certified nurse practitioners and nurses nationally certified in specialty areas as clinical nurse specialists. These nurses hold the Master of Science in Nursing degree and are recognized by the West Virginia State Board of Nursing as Advanced Practice Nurses. The College has a collaborative agreement with a local physician who serves as a consultant to the nurses in the Student Health Center.
The Student Health Center is not authorized to issue class absence excuses for illnesses that have not been treated at the clinic.
Refer to the Bluefield State College Catalog under each degree for health requirements such as examinations and immunizations.
Alcohol/Drug Policy Statement
The use of drugs (including alcohol) is incompatible with the goals of an academic community. In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act of 1986, Bluefield State College adopted Policy No. 50 “Drug and Alcohol-Free Campus and Workplace.”
Section 2.1 of this policy indicates, “Bluefield State College is committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free campus, workplace and prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of controlled substances and illicit drugs. All employees and students will receive a copy of and must adhere to this policy. Each employee agrees to notify his/her immediate supervisor within five days after being convicted under any criminal drug statute.” Full language for this policy may be found at http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/resources/board-governors
The College Policies and Resources for Alcohol and Other Drugs are provided to all students, staff, faculty, and administration of Bluefield State College. Other means of communication on these topics include notices accompanying payroll, the intra-campus television monitors, The Bulletin, The Bluefieldian, the Student Handbook, the Staff Handbook, and the Faculty Handbook. The policies and procedures inform students and employees about:
- the dangers and risks of alcohol and other drugs
- policies regarding a drug-free campus and workplace
- consequences of violations of the policy
- resources for intervention and treatment
Additional information concerning alcohol and other drug policies may be obtained by contacting the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, the Counseling Center, or by accessing Bluefield State College policies at http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/resources/board-governors.
Notice of Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
Notice of Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) (Pub. L. 113-4), which, among other provisions, amended section 485(f) of the HEA, otherwise known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). The Clery Act requires institutions of higher education to comply with certain campus safety-and security-elated requirements as a condition of their participation in the Title IV, HEA programs. Notably, VAWA amended the Clery Act to require institutions to compile statistics for incidents of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and to include certain policies, procedures, and programs pertaining to these incidents in their annual security reports.
Summary of the Major Provisions of the Regulatory Action: The final regulations will require institutions to maintain statistics about the number of incidents of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking that meet the definitions of those terms; Clarify the very limited circumstances in which an institution may remove reports of crimes that have been “unfounded” and require institutions to report to the Department and disclose in the annual security report the number of “unfounded” crime reports;
Revise the definition of “rape” to reflect the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) updated definition in the UCR Summary Reporting System, which encompasses the categories of rape, sodomy, and sexual assault with an object that are used in the UCR National Incident-Based Reporting System;
Revise the categories of bias for the purposes of Clery Act hate crime reporting to add gender identity and to separate ethnicity and national origin into separate categories;
Require institutions to provide to incoming students and new employees and describe in their annual security reports primary prevention and awareness programs. These programs must include: a statement that the institution prohibits the crimes of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as those terms are defined in these final regulations; the definitions of these terms in the applicable jurisdiction; the definition of “consent,” in reference to sexual activity, in the applicable jurisdiction; a description of safe and positive options for bystander intervention; information on risk reduction; and information on the institution’s policies and procedures after a sex offense occurs;
Require institutions to provide, and describe in their annual security reports, ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns for students and employees. These campaigns must include the same information as the institution’s primary prevention and awareness program;
Define the terms “awareness programs,” “bystander intervention,” “ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns,” “primary prevention programs,” and “risk reduction;”
Require institutions to describe each type of disciplinary proceeding used by the institution; the steps, anticipated timelines, and decision-making process for each type of disciplinary proceeding; how to file a disciplinary complaint; and how the institution determines which type of proceeding to use based on the circumstances of an allegation of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
Require institutions to list all of the possible sanctions that the institution may impose following the results of any institutional disciplinary proceedings for an allegation of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
Require institutions to describe the range of protective measures that the institution may offer following an allegation of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
Require institutions to provide for a prompt, fair, and impartial disciplinary proceeding in which: (1) officials are appropriately trained and do not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against the accuser or the accused; (2) the accuser and the accused have equal opportunities to have others present, including an advisor of their choice; (3) the accuser and the accused receive simultaneous notification, in writing, of the result of the proceeding and any available appeal procedures; (4) the proceeding is completed in a reasonably prompt timeframe; (5) the accuser and accused are given timely notice of meetings at which one or the other or both may be present; and (6) the accuser, the accused, and appropriate officials are given timely and equal access to information that will be used during informal and formal disciplinary meetings and hearings.
Define the terms “proceeding” and “result;” and Specify that compliance with these provisions does not constitute a violation of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g), commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
Source: Federal Register 10/20/2014
Student Life
The presence of the Student Life Office is evidence of the commitment of Bluefield State College to the belief that education extends beyond the classroom. In addition to academic enrichment, Bluefield State College is committed to the social, cultural, and physical development of students. Student Life staff members, working closely with other offices within Student Affairs and across the campus community, and are dedicated to assisting students gain as much as possible from a “total” college experience. This mission is accomplished through the provision of outlets for student interest, leadership opportunities, cultural and educational activities, entertainment and intramural activities, and numerous other events.
Othello Harris-Jefferson Student Center
Under the management of the Student Life Office, the Othello Harris-Jefferson Student Center houses the Offices of Student Activities, Publications, Off-Campus Housing, Intramurals and Recreation, the College cafeteria, Student Government Office, game room, Campus Corner Bookstore, Greek Lounge, the Hebert Art Gallery, and the Private Dining Room. Hours vary according to the season of the year and are posted.
Event Calendar & Faculty Scheduling
The College Calendar of Events is maintained in the Student Life Office. Dates for activities are available through this office.
The following facilities are scheduled through the Student Life Office:
Private Dining Room
Hebert Art Gallery
Cafeteria
Othello Harris-Jefferson Student Center Game Room
Greek Lounge
Veteran’s Lounge
Pool/Fitness Center
Basic Science Auditorium
Lobby and Terrace
Remaining facilities are scheduled through the following offices:
Classrooms (campus-wide)-Academic Deans
Gymnasium-Athletic Director
Athletic Field-Athletic Director
Tennis Courts-Athletic Director
Tierney Conference Center and Tierney Auditorium- School of Nursing and Allied Health
Student Government Association
The purposes of the Student Government Association are as follows: represent the students in the decision-making process directly affecting students and Bluefield State College; serve as a channel for the expression of student opinion; encourage the personal and academic development of students through their participation in student activities; promote a feeling of unity among the entire academic community of the college; enhance the relationship between the academic community and its service area; maintain an active relationship with the Bluefield State College Alumni Association; and, promote student responsibility and leadership.
Student Government Association members serve as representatives to numerous college-wide committees. Students are able to participate in the decision-making process of the college and contribute to the formulation of campus policies and procedures. Students have voting rights in many of these groups and serve as advocates for general student needs. Student Government members dedicate considerable time to their responsibilities by attending bimonthly meetings, committee meetings, working on projects, and assisting in student concerns. All who are involved gain personal satisfaction and leadership skills, which serve them in other areas of their lives. SGA represents the student voice to the administration of Bluefield State College.
Intramural Activities
The primary purpose of the Intramural Recreation and Sports Activities Program at Bluefield State College is to provide a diversified mixture of leisure time activities. The program is designed to aid the student in the development and acquisition of skills which can be utilized throughout his/her life, afford an opportunity for successful participation in an activity, and serve as an outlet for relieving the stress produced from academic pursuits.
The Intramural Program includes team sports as well as individual sports for men, women and co-recreational teams. The team sports include flag football, volleyball, basketball and softball. The individual-dual sports include basketball, billiards, tennis, table tennis, chess, golf, racquetball, backgammon, darts, spades, foosball, foul shooting, 3-point shooting, bowling, Play Station games, inner-tube water polo, and Frisbee golf. The swimming pool and fitness center are open daily for unstructured recreation. Upcoming events are publicized campus-wide. Students may obtain entry forms and rules from the Intramurals and Recreation Office located in the Othello Harris-Jefferson Student Center.
Student Organizations
Organized student groups are an integral part of the total educational program at Bluefield State College. They contribute to students’ educational progress in many different ways: recreational; broadened horizons; experience in living-learning activities closely related to classroom work; involvement in professional-type organizations; exercise of democratic citizenship; travel; development of strong and lasting friendships; leadership development and service learning opportunities; and involvement in activities of the College. To these ends, the College encourages student organizations and activities.
All recognized student organizations, their officers, and advisors must abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the Student Organization Handbook. Recognized student organizations include:
Service & Social Organizations/Honor Societies
- ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers
- Baptist Student Union
- Big Blue Pride
- Bio Med Club
- BSC Fishing Club
- BSC Society of Manufacturing Engineering
- BSC Robotics Team
- Computer Society
- Emerging Leaders Institute
- ENACTUS
- Engineers Without Borders
- Furever Friends Rescuing Effort
- Gamma Beta Phi (honor and service)
- International Student Organization
- Kappa Delta Pi - National Education Honor Society
- Lambda Alpha Epsilon
- Lambda Nu
- Phi Eta Sigma - Freshman Honor Society
- Pi Gamma Mu, International Honor Society of Social Sciences
- Roteract
- Social Science Research Club
- Student Association of Radiographers
- Student Athlete Advisory Committee
- Student Government Association
- Student Nurses Association
- Student Nurses Association-Beckley
- SPAC Suicide Prevention & Awareness Club
- Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society for Engineering
- The BSC Drama Kings & Queens
- The Business Club
- USS Yeager Chapter-Starfleet
- VSO Veteran Students Organization
Intercollegiate Athletics
The Bluefield State College athletic program is a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. The program offers ten competitive sports - men’s and women’s basketball, cross-country and tennis; men’s baseball and golf; and women’s softball and volleyball. The sports’ seasons are varied, allowing the qualified student-athlete the opportunity to compete in more than one sport. While coaches actively recruit student-athletes from high schools and junior colleges, “walk-ons” are encouraged and are managed by the coaches of respective sports and the Athletic Director.
Athletic Department
The Athletic Department strives to offer those students who have an intense desire for competition beyond the intramural level an opportunity for self-fulfillment. All sport schedules include competition from both conference affiliated and out- of-conference schools. The importance of scholarship and sportsmanship is emphasized as well as quality competition whenever teams play.
Athletic facilities (with posted hours where applicable) include a gymnasium, tennis courts, athletic field, swimming pool and a Nautilus-equipped fitness center for student use. To comply with federal regulations, a report of athletic activity for the preceding academic year is submitted annually. The report is available in the Office of the Athletic Director.
Office of Public Safety
The Office of Public Safety is located in Conley Hall Room G-03. The Office of Public Safety is responsible for the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws; college rules and regulations; parking; and for the safety and security of the campus. In the event of an emergency, call 911. The Office of Public Safety can be reached at campus extension 4180. The Office of Public Safety is operated by the City of Bluefield Police Department and may be contacted at (304) 323-8921 or (304) 327-6101. The Office of Public Safety assists students with escorts, lockout, and vehicle jumpstarts, secures all lost and found, and enforces all laws and rules without prejudice and the use of racial profiling is prohibited. The campus is under 24-hour video-surveillance. The campus of Bluefield State College is a drug-free, alcohol-free zone. The possession of illegal drugs and/or alcohol is prohibited. The possession of firearms or other weapons is prohibited. To comply with the Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act, an annual report of crime statistics is produced by the Office of Public Safety and is available in the Student Handbook, on the website, or in the Office of Public Safety.
Enrollment Management
Admissions Office
The Admissions Office is responsible for the recruitment and admission of all students, including those for restricted admissions programs. Additional functions include orientation programs, awarding new and transfer scholarships, and distributing the College Catalog and other marketing publications to current and prospective students.
Career Services Office
The Career Services Office provides students and graduates with employment information, on-campus interviews with employers, and full-time, summer, and part-time job referrals. Assistance is available to help all clients with interview skills and with cover letter and resume preparation. Additional services include job vacancy announcements, identification of potential employers, and market supply and demand information.
Prospective graduates are urged to make arrangements in the office for employment interviews one semester prior to graduation. Campus interviewing will be denied to registrants who fail to keep appointments without proper notice. Career Services maintains employment contacts with industries, school systems, and local, state, and federal agencies. Our professional practices conform to both the letter and the spirit of federal and state laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination in the campus-recruiting program and in all services provided by the office. Alumni who seek job referral assistance are only required to update their registration by submitting a current resume and signing an authorization for the release of that information.
Career Resource Center
Numerous materials for the exploration of career and educational options are located in the Center. Students are encouraged to begin a career search early in their college experience. The Center is organized so that students can easily locate much of the information they seek, yet counselors can assist students who many need help.
The resources of the Center include:
Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance
Catalogs, guides, and indexes to other educational programs
Information on BSC academic programs
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Regional employment and salary outlooks
Career Resources for differently abled individuals
Career Planning Resources
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center offers a caring and confidential environment for career options, for developing good study skills, and for helping students with their personal problems. The services and programs of the Center are designed to enable students to acquire the skills to learn new ways of solving their problems.
Personal Counseling
The objectives of personal counseling cover three areas: (1) to help students understand themselves and learn new ways of solving their problems; (2) to offer support-for new or returning students, and (3) to reduce students’ anxiety and show students ways of coping with life situations.
College students, regardless of age or background, are changing individuals engaged in a series of intellectual, social, and personal learning experiences. Change is the substance of students’ environment. Such an environment can quite naturally and inevitably lead to occasional confusion and conflict. Counselors are available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. or by appointment for students needing assistance. Appointments can be made by calling the Counseling Center (304) 327-4016 or (304) 327-4444 in Conley Hall, Room 305. All services are free and confidential to currently enrolled students.
Referral Services
The Counseling Center will make referrals to appropriate community or private counseling agency when counselors determine it is necessary.
Confidentiality Notice
All information provided by the students to the counseling staff is confidential, within the limits of ethical practices as outlined by the American Counseling Association, the American Psychological Association, and the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling. Information will not be released to anyone without the written approval of the student.
Academic Advising
Counselors serve as academic advisors for students in the Block Scheduling system (enrolled in BSCS 100 , MATH 101L , MATH 109L , or GNET 115L ) and for students with undeclared majors. Individual advising is provided to assist students with course selection and career choice, and to facilitate personal development during college matriculation.
Testing Services
Bluefield State College is an approved testing center for the American College Testing Program (ACT), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS). Information concerning registration and administration of these examinations can be obtained from the Counseling Center. Test results will not be given over the telephone. The Center offers free proctoring to Bluefield State College students who must take correspondence, licensure and certification examinations.
Registration information for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) are also available. For the public, staff can proctor correspondence and certification exams for a fee. Call (304) 327-4444 for information.
ATI TEAS Admission Test
Bluefield State College offers the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS). The exam consists of reading, math (no calculator allowed), science and English tests. The exam is for those students who have applied for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing and/or Radiologic Technology programs, TEAS scores are valid for two years from the date tested. Contact the Admissions Office or Counseling Center for additional test information.
Testing
Bluefield State College is an approved testing center for the American College Testing Program (ACT), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), ACCUPLACER, National League for Nursing (NLN), and Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS). To earn credit by CLEP and DANTES examination, a student must meet the following criteria:
DANTES (DSST) & CLEP
Bluefield State College (BSC) is a testing center for the CLEP and DANTES (DANTES Subject Standardized Test) exams. CLEP and DANTES score reports are mailed to the examinee two weeks after the completion of the exam(s). A score report is also forwarded to the Registrar. Requests for an official transcript copy of your score report(s) should be directed to CLEP or DANTES; the score report(s) is sent directly from ETS or Prometric. Non-BSC students can test at BSC but must indicate during test registration the institution that should receive the score report.
TEST RESTRICTIONS
- Student must be regularly enrolled in Bluefield State College or have been accepted by the College; continuing, freshmen, transfer, and recently accepted students must enroll in and pass at least 3 credit hours at Bluefield State to be eligible for CLEP or DANTES credit from Bluefield State College.
- Student must meet the prerequisites for the equivalent course(s) when testing for credit via CLEP or DANTES test(s).
- Student may not receive CLEP or DANTES credit for an equivalent course for which credit has already been earned.
- Student cannot use the CLEP or DANTES credit for the purpose of overcoming a deficient grade.
- Student is not eligible to take the CLEP or DANTES test if currently enrolled in an equivalent course.
- Student is eligible for a maximum of 31 hours of credit (five tests) within the CLEP General Examinations.
- Student must meet the re-test guidelines of either CLEP or DANTES before retaking the same test; scores that are in violation of the retest guidelines will be canceled by Bluefield State College.
- Student may take two tests on the same day, yet exceptions may be granted by the Director of Testing.
TESTING INSTRUCTIONS
Arrange a test date with the Director of Counseling in Room 304-B, Conley Hall. Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. If you are late, you may not be permitted to sit for the exam. Please let the Counseling Center know if you need to test at another time. A photo ID is required to test.
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
Credit is awarded when a score of at least 50 on the CLEP or at least 400 on the DANTES is attained. The passing scores are based upon the American Council of Education (ACE), however passing scores are subject to change.
DSST
** Candidates may choose to use a nonprogrammable, non-graphing scientific calculator on these DSST examinations.
CLEP Exams
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