Navigating Student Services at Bob Jones University

Bob Jones University (BJU), a private institution in Greenville, South Carolina, is known for its conservative, evangelical foundation and commitment to providing students with a comprehensive educational experience. With a student body of approximately 2,900, BJU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Understanding the range of student services available is crucial for students to thrive academically, spiritually, and personally.

A Historical Perspective

Founded in 1927 by Christian evangelist Bob Jones Sr. in Lynn Haven, Florida, the university emerged from concerns about the secularization of higher education. Jones sought to create an institution grounded in religious principles. The university moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, in 1933, and later to its current location in Greenville. Over the years, BJU has adapted to changing social and political landscapes, while remaining committed to its core values.

Academic Support Services

BJU offers a wide array of academic support services designed to help students succeed in their studies.

Academic Advising

First-year students receive guidance from First-year Academic Advisors who assist in determining class schedules and navigating the initial stages of their academic journey.

Academic Resource Center

The Academic Resource Center offers a variety of resources, including:

Academic coaching
One-on-one assistance at the Writing Center
Peer study groups for specific classes
Connections with academic coaches or tutors
Assistance with academic accommodations
Technology support related to studies

Testing and Evaluation

BJU Press Testing & Evaluation provides private schools with testing materials, including achievement and abilities tests, and test-prep resources. The CogAT, measures verbal, nonverbal, and figurative areas of learning. Iowa Online testing is a comprehensive option, while Stanford 10 & OLSAT® tests are untimed and nationally standardized. Test Prep Materials familiarize students with the achievement test format.

Spiritual Guidance and Support

Religion plays a significant role in life at BJU, and the university provides various avenues for spiritual growth and support.

Student Care Office

The Student Care Office offers biblical counsel, care, and mentoring relationships within the BJU community, providing a safe space for students to discuss their struggles and receive confidential, biblically-based help.

Missions Advance

Students can participate in Missions Advance (formerly Mission Prayer Band), an organization that prays for missionaries and promotes interest in world evangelism. During summers and Christmas breaks, students participate in teams that promote Christian missions around the world.

Church Planting

The university encourages church planting in areas "in great need of fundamental churches" and provides support to ministerial graduates in starting new churches. It also encourages non-ministerial students to provide lay leadership for small churches.

Read also: The Rise of Jack Jones

Student Life and Well-being

BJU is committed to fostering a supportive and enriching campus environment.

Residence Life

Residence hall staff, including supervisors and resident mentors (graduate students), are available to support and encourage students.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services offers basic health services to address students' health needs.

Student Conduct

Strict rules govern student life at BJU. The Student Handbook outlines expectations regarding entertainment, prohibiting content considered immodest or containing profanity, violence, occultism, or false philosophical or religious assumptions. Immediate dismissal can result from actions such as stealing, immorality, substance abuse, or participating in demonstrations against university policy.

Career Services

Career Services assists students in preparing for their future careers through career advising and planning. Students can attend resume and interview workshops to learn job search strategies.

Read also: Cost of Attendance at BJU

Library Resources

The Mack Library provides a vast collection of resources to support academic pursuits.

Collections

The 90,000-square-foot Mack Library holds over 300,000 books and offers seating for 1,200, a computer lab, and a computer classroom. Special Collections include an American Hymnody Collection and a replica of the "Jerusalem Chamber," displaying rare Bibles. An adjoining Memorabilia Room commemorates the life of Bob Jones Sr.

Fine Arts Division

The Division of Fine Arts, the largest faculty among the university's undergraduate schools, offers a variety of artistic outlets. Each year, the university presents an opera and Shakespearean plays. The Division includes a radio and television station, WBJU. The university sponsors a "High School Festival" where students compete in music, art, and speech contests. A similar competition hosted by BJU since 1977 brings national finalists to the university.

Unusual Films

Both Bob Jones Sr. and Bob Jones Jr. believed that film could be an excellent medium for mass evangelism, and in 1950, the university established Unusual Films within the School of Fine Arts. The studio name derives from a former BJU promotional slogan, "The World's Most Unusual University".

BJU Press

BJU Press originated from the need for textbooks for the Christian school and homeschool movements. BJU Press also offers distance learning courses online, via DVD and hard drive. Another ancillary, the Academy of Home Education, is a "service organization for homeschooling families" that maintains student records, administers achievement testing, and issues high school diplomas.

Recent Developments and Changes

BJU has undergone several changes in recent years, reflecting its commitment to improvement and adaptation.

Leadership Transitions

In March 2023, President Steve Pettit resigned, and Vice President Alan Benson was appointed interim president for the 2023-24 school year.

Renovation of Student Services

The Student Center’s Riley Room is being remodeled to house the Admission office, Records Office, Business Office, and Financial Aid office. The Center for Leadership Development will be consolidated in the Den. The goal is to serve students more strategically by placing necessary student services where students already are.

Historical Controversies and Evolution

BJU has faced controversies related to its past policies on race. Although the university admitted Asian students and other ethnic groups from its inception, it did not enroll Black students until 1971. From 1971 to 1975, BJU admitted only married Black people. In 1975, the University Board of Trustees authorized a policy change to admit Black students. In 2000, the university formally apologized for its past policies on race.

Political Involvement

From nearly the inception of Bob Jones College, a majority of students and faculty were from the northern United States, where there was a larger ratio of Republicans to Democrats than in the South (which was solidly Democratic). Therefore, almost from its founding year, BJU had a larger portion of Republicans than the surrounding community. BJU faculty members became increasingly influential in the new state Republican party. BJU alumni were elected to local political and party offices. Ronald Reagan spoke at the school in 1980. On February 2, 2000, then Texas Governor George W. Bush, as a candidate for president, spoke during school's chapel hour.

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