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STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
As a liberal arts institution, Bluefield College recognizes the need for balance between
the classroom and the co-curricular experience. The college experience permeates all
aspects of the College community to develop the total person. The student development
program at Bluefield College is designed to be an integral part of the education process by
supporting and strengthening the educational, social, spiritual, and physical experiences of
the student.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION AND ADVISING
Traditional Program Orientation
All new students entering Bluefield College participate in new student orientation. The
academic year consists of two semesters; the fall semester begins in late August and ends
in December, and the spring semester begins in January and ends in May. Fall and spring
orientations take place before classes begin.
Orientation is designed to acquaint new and transfer students with registration
procedures, Bluefield College guidelines, college life, student activities and all additional
services provided at BC. During orientation students will participate in informational
hands-on sessions designed to help them transition into college life. Assessment testing will
be offered for all incoming freshmen. The College strongly encourages students to study
this Academic Catalog to understand all requirements of their specific degree program.
Online Program Orientation
At the beginning of the online educational journey, each student is enrolled in
a virtual orientation that encompasses a holistic introduction to the Bluefield College
online program and its requirements. As part of this initial step, each student is directed to
useful administrative information, technical requirements, tutorials, and student
support opportunities such as tutoring and library and textbook resources. The primary
goal of this virtual orientation is to provide an introduction to the institution, campus
departments, policies and procedures; ultimately, it prepares each student for the most
success in his or her educational journey at Bluefield College.
Students are encouraged to contact their admissions counselor should they have any
questions or concerns regarding the information they receive in the orientation. Online
students are enrolled in their first semester of courses at the same time they are enrolled in
the virtual orientation. Traditional students must complete a version of the online program
orientation as part of the approval process for enrolling in an online course. If any student,
online or traditional, does not complete the orientation (including all assigned tasks) prior
to the first day of the online term, he or she will be administratively withdrawn from all
courses and will be contacted for reenrollment in the next term.
While Bluefield College’s orientation structure is designed to assist students in
understanding the College’s requirements, students are personally responsible for knowing,
understanding, and applying all institutional requirements and for satisfying degree
requirements prior to graduation.