Buena Vista University | United States

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Institution type	Private

About Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University (BVU) offers an engaging and collaborative educational experience. Enjoy a small classroom setting where you will learn about the world, life and yourself from professors who care about you and are invested in your growth. BVU’s top-notch faculty will use real world examples alongside proven lessons to prepare you for success after you walk through the Victory Arch on graduation day. Outside the classrooms, you will have a variety of options to explore your interests and passions. From athletics and performing arts to politics and service, you have access to a multitude of resources and organizations so you can be actively involved in your community – on campus and beyond. Our wireless campus makes it easy to stay connected to class work and friends, whether you’re sitting in the library or lounging by the lake.

Campus information

Baseball/Softball Fields
The baseball and softball teams practice and compete on shared fields with the local public high school located on Tornado Drive. A complete renovation of both fields was completed in 2009. Field turf was installed on the baseball infield making it the only field turf in the state of Iowa used for college baseball. Additional upgrades for both fields included new scoreboards, dugouts, fencing, bleachers, backstops, press boxes and windscreens.

Buena Vista Sports Complex
This athletic complex is located north of the main campus on Vestal Street and is the home of two soccer fields that are used for the men’s and women’s varsity competition. It is also the site of two football practice fields.

Buntrock Tennis Courts
Four lighted outdoor tennis courts are located just southeast of Siebens Fieldhouse. They are used for intercollegiate tennis and recreational play.

Estelle Siebens Science Center
Completed in the summer of 2004, the 70,000-squarefeet facility comfortably houses BVU’s five interdisciplinary fields of science (biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics), fostering collaboration among the disciplines, as well as between students and faculty.
The 18 laboratories complement seven classrooms, three research areas, and 24 offices. “Science Avenue,” a prominent atrium corridor that puts projects on display, connects the two-story, glass-walled rotunda (nicknamed “the beaker”) to a greenhouse with three environmental growth chambers. The $28 million building was made possible by a $13 million matching gift from the Harold Walter Siebens Foundation and numerous private philanthropic sources. The atrium on second floor exhibits a collection of North American and African animals.

Finkbine Natatorium
Finkbine Natatorium is a 25-yard pool with a 1 meter diving board that is used by the BVU community and the local community for open swim, lap swimming, water aerobics, lessons and competitive meets and is located in the lower level of Siebens Fieldhouse.

Fritcher Fitness Center
Included in the 2001 addition of the Lamberti Recreation Center is the Fritcher Fitness Center. Located on the west side of the fieldhouse, overlooking the lake, the Fritcher Fitness Center is a 6,000 square foot area that provides both weight and cardio equipment for the BVU community to use.

Library
The BVU library exists to meet the information needs of our students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their physical location. The library offers 147,000+ book volumes and access to over 29,000 periodical titles in print or online format within a comfortable and elegant study atmosphere that features a mix of individual and group study seating areas. Reference services include group and individual instruction in the use of both electronic and print library resources as well as assistance with all research and information queries. An online chat option allows for interactive dialog with a librarian.
Access to the online catalog and over 50 research databases is available around the clock. The library’s Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) service allows students to reach beyond BVU Library’s own collections to obtain books and articles from other libraries all over the world.

Other features of the library include networked computers and wireless access for those using laptops, replacement batteries for laptops at the Circulation Desk, and photocopier, scanning and FAX services. The lending period for most library materials is 30 days.

Our picturesque campus is located on the shores of a 3,200-acre natural lake. Storm Lake has a population of just over 10,000 with an assortment of retail, entertainment and dining offerings for when you feel like escaping campus for a little while.

Accommodation

Residence hall living options include traditional arrangements like in Grand, Pierce and White Halls. There is also Liberty Hall - an option for those who choose to participate in Wellness housing, where they pledge to live a substance-free and healthy lifestyle.

The Suites – Constitution, Briscoe and McCorkle – are reserved for upperclassmen and offer apartment-style quarters for six residents with a main living area and three bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. All of the residence halls are co-ed.