Student Services

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Biola recognizes that education does not take place exclusively in the classroom; rather, the individual student is viewed as a “whole person.” We are committed to contributing to student development in the social, personal, physical and spiritual areas of life, as well as that of the intellect. Toward that end, a number of departments and programs are devoted to student development. The Division of Student Development is responsible for programs and services for both residential and commuter students. Also, it is involved in such areas as career planning; chapel programming and accountability; housing placement; discipline; spiritual and character formation; leadership development and advisement to student organizations; learning skills development; services to students with disabilities; and international student services. The Auxiliary Services Department is responsible for the business management of the residence halls and apartments, food services, health services, the bookstore, ID cards, the duplicating center, fitness center, SUB game room and the swimming pool.

The residence halls and apartments are more than a place for students to sleep and study. We also see the halls and apartments as a place for students to develop in all areas of life. For this reason programs and staff are available to provide an environment for such growth. The residence halls and apartments are an exciting and challenging place to live. Resident Directors and Resident Assistants, or Resident Coordinators, are available in each hall to serve as a resource for students.

Rooms accommodate two to three students and are equipped with individual study desks, single beds, closet space, chest of drawers, bookshelves, a telephone and wastebasket. Each residence hall has laundry rooms equipped with card-operated washing machines and dryers. Residents receive a laundry card when they originally move into their residence hall.

Students are expected to supply their own linens (sheets, pillowcases, towels, blankets, pillows and bedspreads), desk lamps and irons. No cooking equipment is allowed in the residence hall rooms except in kitchen facilities (excluding apartments). Additional information may be found at biola.edu/offices/auxiliaryservices/housing.

Biola owns and leases apartments in the local community to provide housing for single and married graduate students. Some apartments are furnished and provide housing for single graduates at a per person, per month rate which is based on the number of occupants per bedroom. Unfurnished one- and two bedroom units located in three complexes near campus provide housing for couples and singles at a per apartment, per month rate. For information on availability, locations and rates contact Auxiliary Services at grad.housing@biola.edu or at (562) 944-0351, ext. 5814.

All unmarried freshmen and sophomores under 21 years of age and not living with their parents are expected to live in the residence halls if they are enrolled for 12 units or more. Incoming students 21 and older may live in residence halls or apartments on a space-available basis. Requests for exceptions are to be directed in writing to the Residence Exception Committee, care of the Housing Office in Student Development. All students living in undergraduate residence halls are required to participate in the food service program.

All University undergraduate residence halls will be closed over the Christmas holiday.

All accepted applicants requiring on-campus housing will be sent a housing information card by the Office of Admission along with their notice of acceptance. This card must be filled out and returned to the Office of Admission with a $250 housing deposit and the required $300 enrollment deposit. No room can be reserved without these deposits.

Applicants who have paid the $250 room reservation deposit but decide not to attend Biola or obtain exemption from the residence requirement may request a refund of this deposit if the Housing Manager in Student Development has been notified in writing. The Housing Manager must receive this notification by the deadlines listed below. Failure to notify the Housing Manager by the designated dates will result in forfeiture of the deposit.

The $250 housing deposit will be kept by the University to hold a space in on-campus housing until such a time as the student withdraws, graduates, is eligible to live off-campus and does so or receives an exemption from the residence requirement.

In the case of withdrawal, or moving off campus, the student must submit a written request for refund of the housing deposit to the Housing Office at the time the student moves off campus (claim forms available at the Housing Office). Such notification must be received prior to July 15 after the spring semester or prior to January 15 after the fall semester. Refunded deposits will be credited to the student’s university account balance. In the case of graduation, the deposit will be automatically refunded to the student’s account balance. In case of an exemption to the residence requirement, the terms of the exemption will inform the student whether the deposit will be refunded or forfeited. Refunded deposits will be credited to the student’s University account balance.

Continuing on-campus students desiring to reserve on-campus housing for the fall must sign up for the room of their choice according to the reservation schedule in the spring. Commuter students desiring to live on campus need to contact the Housing Manager.

Students who live off campus are an important part of our University community. The Office of Commuter Life is responsible for establishment and on-going development of an environment that supports the undergraduate commuter population. This department is responsible for representation of commuter student concerns as well as provision of services and programs tailored for commuters. Commuter Life also serves as a resource to advise the University regarding current commuter student needs and concerns, and is also responsible for the management of the Collegium, a home-away-from-home for commuter students.

Additional resources are available for students through Commuter Life website: studentlife.biola.edu/campus-life/commuter-life/.

Biola provides excellent food service for all students. A wide variety of entrees, sandwiches, soups, fresh fruits, bread, beverages, and desserts is offered. The food service staff will work out individual programs for students with special dietary requirements or weight reduction programs prescribed by a physician.

A variety of meal plans are available. All students living in the residence halls are required to choose either a 10 without flex or 10 -, 12-, 15- or 20-flex meal plan (the numbers indicated are meals per week), or a 175 block plan. A “flex” plan is 10, 12, 15, or 20 meals per week at Cafe Biola, our dining room, plus “flex dollars” to purchase additional meals either at Cafe Biola, the Eagles’ Nest, our on-campus coffee shop, or Common Grounds, our coffee house, the coffee cart, or the School of Business The Talon Grab N Go.

Commuter students or students who reside in the Biola apartments have further meal plan options. Check with Food Services for details.

The Biola Duplicating Center, located on the McNally Campus, is available to students, staff, faculty and the public. The duplicating center has high-speed duplicating equipment and can do a variety of jobs, including thermal binding, tabs, covers, color copying, color posters and banners, etc. Our prices are generally lower than off-campus duplicating stores. There is also an after-hours drop box located outside of the duplicating center.

The Biola Bookstore is open Monday through Saturday for the convenience of the students, faculty, staff and public. All required textbooks, as well as general books and supplies, are available. The Bookstore has a large selection of Christian books and offers Bibles in a variety of styles and bindings at substantial discounts: Biola insignia clothing and school spirit merchandise, a large selection of greeting cards, school supplies, dorm-room furniture / accessories, gift items, theme park tickets and music are available for purchase. The bookstore welcomes special orders via its 1-800-MY-BIOLA phone line. For a fee, Fax messages may be sent or received at the Bookstore and a quick-turnaround photo development service is provided. A convenience store (located inside the bookstore) contains a generous selection of soft drinks, juices, yogurts, ice cream, snacks and candies. During school breaks and vacations the Bookstore has shortened hours. Please call (562) 903-4883 for information. Website: biolabookstore.com.

Located next to the Bookstore, the Biola Computer Store offers exceptional pricing on Apple (Macintosh) and Dell (Windows) products through special agreements with these companies. Designed to meet the academic community’s needs for computers, software and accessories, students will find most of their computing needs conveniently met, at very competitive prices. Through agreements with Microsoft, Adobe, Macromedia and others, most software can be purchased at one-third to one-half the non-academic price. Visit our website at: computerstore.biola.edu for the latest specials, products and pricing. The Computer Store keeps different hours than the bookstore, please call (562) 903-4884 or visit our website to check our hours.

Services

The Student Health Center provides acute, ambulatory health services for all current registered Biola students. The facility is located directly adjacent to the library. Consultation with a physician or a nurse is free; however, there are assigned fees for medications or specific treatments. There is no third party billing service available. Payment is required at the time of each visit by cash, check or credit card at the Health Center. Health Center fees are not payable through student account billing. Children’s services are not available at the Health Center. Consult the website: biola.edu/healthcenter for specific hours of operation and other information.

Insurance

All students who enroll in seven units or more or those students who live in a campus residence hall are required to have current health insurance. Personal HMO Insurance plans must provide coverage in this local area. Biola facilitates enrollment in a Blue Cross catastrophic accident and illness policy for those who do not have an insurance plan providing coverage locally. Cost of this insurance is subject to change. The Blue Cross student insurance policy and enrollment form is available on the Health Center website biola.edu/healthcenter. Student insurance is not required for students to use the Health Center. Fees for spouses and children are also available online.

Health Requirements

Undergraduates: All students who register for seven units or more and those who are living in residence halls are required to have an entrance physical exam completed by a physician, N.P. or P.A. using the standardized Student Health Center physical exam form. Return completed form to the Health Center for filing.

Non-Resident Graduates: A completed Student Health History, immunization record and current TB test (within one year), are required. Please submit forms to the Health Center.

Resident Graduates: A physical exam, completed using the standardized Student Health Center form submitted to the Health Center, is required for all resident graduate students.

Any of the above forms are available through the Admissions Department, the Student Health Center or download from the Health Center website biola.edu/healthcenter. Completed forms may be faxed to the Health Center at (562) 906-4512.

Please check with the Health Center staff for assistance or other specific information (562) 903-4841.

Campus Safety’s primary responsibility is to protect all those individuals associated with Biola University, their property, as well as the property of the University. Trained officers are on duty 24 hours a day.

The Campus Safety Department offers special services such as a safety escorts; rape & aggression prevention training; bicycle registration; vehicle registration for on campus parking; traffic control; building security; lost and found services; assistance in medical emergencies, and disaster preparedness. The University switchboard is also handled by the department and coordinates the University’s mass notification system (3N). Recognizing that a Christian university is not exempt from crime, students are asked to use common sense and caution in every aspect of their activities. Crime statistics are available upon request at the Office of Campus Safety, or on the Biola website.
 

Please refer to the Campus Safety Handbook for further Information or call (562) 903-4877.

Issues related to compliance with U.S. Immigration laws for F-1 International Students and his or her dependents are being undertaken by the Immigration Services of the Office of the Registrar. For Immigration Services assistance, please contact (562) 777-4007.

The mission of the department of International Student Services (ISS) exists to support and empower international undergraduate and graduate students in their transition and accommodation at Biola University.
Our intent is to be an international haven and global center for Christian thought and multi-cultural development.

Over 380 students (~7% of the Biola student population) do not speak English as their first language and are citizens of countries other than the United States. These students come here to study from over 40 different countries, and each one is a distinct and valuable gift to our community. The diversity that comes from their experiences enhances our environment of faith and learning. Their presence and scholarly contribution will assist the university in attaining its pursuit of becoming a recognized global center for Christian thought.

Our department works in partnership with other departments and volunteers from the surrounding community, to offer the following primary services for our international students:

• Cultural adjustment, transition, and acclimatization
   
• Immigration and employment compliance
   
• Financial counseling
   
• Academic advice and referrals to appropriate departments
   
• Counseling on international student issues

We have the following programs in place to accomplish our service objectives:

• International Student Association/International Graduate Student Association
   
• Prayer and fellowship community
   
• Cultural friendship partners and host homes
   
• 4-day New International Student Orientation – Fall Semester
   
• University-wide training in intercultural issues
   
• Council retreats, association retreats, outreach retreats
   
• Tax workshops / counseling
   
• Holiday celebrations and home-stays
   
• International graduation ceremonies
   
• International student mentor groups
   
• Global leadership development, community/spiritual development, social justice, and ministry
   
• Co-curricular cultural exchanges and education
   
• Advocacy and representation for student issues

The ISS Department works with international students to provide a rich, diverse array of life experiences and co-curricular education for the Biola international student and community. We seek to partner closely with many of the departments / divisions on campus, as well as churches, organizations, volunteers, and academic institutions outside the Biola campus in order to maximize cultural exchanges, provide intercultural training, and promote learning and development. 

The International Student Services office is located in the Upper Level Student Union Building. Director: Ivan Chung, M.Div., ext. 4008, off-campus (562)777-4008. The department website is found at www.biola.edu/internationalstudents/.

The Learning Center is committed to ensuring equal treatment, educational opportunity, academic freedom, and human dignity for students with learning, physical and psychological disabilities. The Learning Center actuates this commitment by providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities and medical conditions, assisting in advocacy, educating the Biola community about disabilities, and by ensuring legal compliance with state and federal disability laws, the Americans With Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For more information, contact Disability Services at The Learning Center at (562) 906-4542.

The Learning Center also provides programs which assist students in becoming effective and intentional learners in order to meet the academic demands of the University. Programs offered to the undergraduate population include:

• College Study Skills course for students who would like to strengthen academic skills.
   
• Tutoring Programs provided for most General Education courses and selected major emphasis courses (a minimal fee is required).
   
• Provisional Entrance Program-“EXCEL” provides specific assistance to selected newly-admitted students in the form of study skills development, and strengths-based counseling.

Additional resources are available for students through The Learning Center website: www.biola.edu/ offices/learning/.
 

Academic Advising for undergraduate students utilizes a faculty-based advising model. Students with a declared major are assigned a faculty advisor in their discipline. This faculty advisor supports students with course planning, registration, and graduation requirements as well as personal and academic development. It is recommended that students meet with their advisor at least once a semester according to the prescribed advising dates on the Academic Calendar.

The Office of Academic Advising (also known as The Advising Center) has full-time advisors assigned to all undeclared students and those seeking additional help. Students should utilize the services of The Advising Center if they are:

• Thinking of changing their major
   
• Considering adding a second major or minor
   
• Transfer students needing clarification regarding transfer units
   
• Students who have already met with their advisor but have further questions

Additionally, students who have been placed on first semester academic probation (see catalog section on Academic Probation) or were provisionally admitted to the university are required to meet with an advisor in The Advising Center.

Advisors, both faculty and those in The Advising Center, are available as a resource, but ultimately the student is responsible in ascertaining and fulfilling requirements to graduate.

Additional resources are available for students through The Advising Center website: biola.edu/advising.

Psychological/counseling services are available to graduate and undergraduate students for a minimal fee. The center is open year round for individual, couple and group counseling. Students who struggle with any number of issues are welcome. Inquiries may be made in person at the Biola Counseling Center, located at 12625 La Mirada Blvd., or by phone at (562) 903-4800. Non-medical emergency service is accessed through this same number during non-clinic hours.

The mission of Career Services is to assist students in discerning their callings in life and in transitioning into meaningful work.

Our overarching vision is to train and assist students in decision-making that will impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

• By providing counseling, assessment tools, programs and resources that facilitate the discovery of their unique design, whether in personality, interests, skills, values, strengths or gifts.
   
• By educating students through a variety of means, including website resources, university classes, workshops, seminars or individual appointments.
   
• By integrating personal, spiritual and career development theory and practice into all aspects of what we do.
   
• By connecting students with practical experiences that solidify their major choice and enhance their academic training, give opportunity for career exploration and develop workplace competencies.
   
• By linking students to graduate programs, organizations, internship and employment opportunities.

The Writing Center, Sutherland Hall 213, is a place where undergraduate and graduate students of all disciplines and writing abilities can meet with trained writing consultants. These consultants help student writers revise current writing projects and help them develop writing skills that can be applied in courses across the academic spectrum.

Detailed information regarding grievances and appeals, whether in regard to scholarships, academic life, federal legislation or student conduct are found in the Student Handbook of each school. The undergraduate Student Handbook can be found online at http//studentlife.biola.edu/campus-life/student-handbook/.