Welcome to Buena Vista University

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Victory Arch

Tour stop audio transcript

Hello and welcome to Buena Vista University! We are excited to show you around our wonderful 60 acre campus located on beautiful Storm Lake in Iowa. Before we get started, let me explain the many ways you can explore our awesome space. -You can click on the forward facing arrow to start walking around. -You can jump to the next stop by clicking on the "Next" button. -Now, if you already know where you want to go, select any location by using the list OR by clicking directly on the map. -Lastly, remember that you can explore any particular location in more detail by clicking the supplemental icons.

You are now on the 3rd point on the welcome trail coming from Victory Arch on your way to City of Storm Lake.

You are now on the 5th point on the welcome trail coming from Victory Arch on your way to City of Storm Lake.

You are now on the 7th point on the welcome trail coming from Victory Arch on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Admissions

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Your journey begins at the admissions office where our friendly staff is here to help guide you through the sometimes scary college search process. Located in Dixon-Eilers hall, this is where you can get all of your questions answered. Not sure how you will pay for college? The Office of Financial Assistance is located in this building and is here to help. In fact, BVU is ranked #3 Best Value among regional universities according to US News and World Report. Other helpful spaces include the Business Office, the Registrar, and Schaller Memorial Chapel, where we host special events for you.

Suites

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Wondering where you will live in the future? Welcome to the BVU Suites. The Suites are three connected buildings offering suite-style living for upperclassmen. Each Suite has three rooms (each with a private bathroom) and a lounge space used by all six suite-mates! There are also outdoor areas to hang out in while playing sand volleyball. Across from the Suites are Grand and Liberty halls, addtional housing options for students. Liberty features a Health/Wellness floor and an Honors housing floor for students who choose to be in these programs.

You are now on the 13th point on the welcome trail coming from Suites on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Esports Arena

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You are standing now in our brand new Esports Arena fitted with all new equipment. BVU added esports to its roster of competitive teams and programs. Esports hosts game nights for League of Legends, Rocket League, Overwatch, Apex Legends, and Rainbow Six Siege. We work with BVU's Anime and Gaming Society to add and remove games as interest allows. Scrimmaging and regular competition begins in 2021. We strive to provide an exciting gaming experience for students and others in the BVU and Storm Lake communities.

You are now on the 17th point on the welcome trail coming from Esports Arena on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Library

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Worried about how to be successful in college? Welcome to the future of academic support! The BVU Library is under an extensive multi-million dollar renovation, transforming the underground space with new student study areas, hangout spaces, and group meeting rooms. Our Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) and our IT center (2fix) have also expanded into the new Library. This state-of-the-art space will be the place for you to study, starting this fall. The best part? You don't have to travel far for your coffee as the renovated Coffee Shop is attached while being connected to other buildings via underground walkways.

Siebens Forum

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You might not realize it, but you are 18 feet underground right now. Siebens Forum was built underground for several reasons: To be energy efficient; to create a great lawn for hanging out; and for recreation such as soccer, Frisbee, and lawn golf. The way it's built also allows us to show our spectacular lake view all across campus. The Forum features the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business, the Peterson Trading Room, classrooms modeled after the Harvard School of Business, and Anderson Auditorium, where we hold special events and theatre productions. The Lehnus Campus store is also here, your one-stop shop for textbooks, snacks, and all things Beaver pride!

Student Success

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Roommate issues? Want to find an internship or a future career? Feeling a little out of sorts—physically or emotionally? Need to find out where a visiting friend can park for the weekend? Student Success houses the departments of Residence Life & Housing; Career and Leadership Development; Intercultural Programs; Counseling; Health Services and Wellness; Campus Security; International Student Services; Campus Ministry; and the Center for Diversity & Inclusion. Involvement in activities beyond the classroom influence a student's personal and professional growth, so find one of our 500-plus internships, learn and understand the importance of multiculturalism, and get all the support you need to be successful in college.

Servery / Cru5h

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Looking for a late-night meal? Cru5h is our pub style on-campus experience. Grab a burger, a wrap, an all-day breakfast, or even dessert, and spend time with your friends playing pool or arcade games. Our Geisinger Student Leadership Center (GSLC), houses the Student Activities Board (SAB), is located directly across and offers students more than 50 clubs and events on campus such as Homecoming, concerts, comedians, hypnotists, and so much more. If you're searching for even more food options, look no further than the Servery. Our food court offers buffet-style food options that include a soup-and-salad bar, sandwich-and-wrap bar, pasta-and-pizza bar, two main-entrée areas, a dessert bar, and more.

Game Room

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Come and hang out in the Beaver Game room if you want to play games like Pac-Man, ping pong, Skeeball, and Ultimate Jenga. Or, take a break and relax in our indoor hammock; watch a movie in our lounge spaces, or just spend time with friends. You can also go outside to the South Forum Lawn to share a meal with friends on the patio furniture, and enjoy the fireplace on those chillier nights. The Game Room is also connected to Pierce/White Residence Hall, so no need to go outside when the snow falls to get to food and relaxation.

You are now on the 29th point on the welcome trail coming from Game Room on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Pierce & White Residence Halls

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Freshman living has never been so fun. Pierce/White Residence Hall is where you will likely start your journey on campus. Each room has plenty of space to loft your bed and create a nice hangout area for you and your roommate. Want more space to relax or study? Pierce and White halls are actually connected and have lots of lounges, study spaces, an outdoor courtyard, and even a skybox where you can watch Beaver football games, soccer matches, track and field meets, marching band performances, and intramural games without having to leave the building.

You are now on the 33rd point on the welcome trail coming from Pierce & White Residence Halls on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Lage Communications Center

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Lage houses the campus radio station, television station, and newspaper. Anybody can be a part of these exciting organizations, no matter your major. Learn about media convergence, and new ways reporters gather and produce news by combining stories with photos, video, and the internet. BVU is at the forefront of an ever-changing medium. Our Digital Media and communication majors have access to some of the best equipment and professors who have received numerous state and national awards for their work. You can see BVU grads all over on ESPN, local news stations, Disney, YouTube and so many other places.

You are now on the 37th point on the welcome trail coming from Lage Communications Center on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Siebens Fieldhouse

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Welcome to Siebens Fieldhouse. Nineteen athletic teams use this in some compacity while competing in the NCAA Divsion III American Rivers Conference. Siebens Fieldhouse Gymnasium, which seats 3,000 spectators, and home to men's and women's basketball, wrestling, and volleyball, is one of the largest and most storied in Northwest Iowa. The BVU weight room has 6,000 square feet with state-of-the-art equipment. The fieldhouse lower level features nine locker rooms, an athletic training room, wrestling room, golf simulator, coaches offices, equipment/laundry rooms, classrooms, Finkbine Natatorium, and health services. Racquetball/handball courts are available, free to students. Join "Beaver Nation" and the league's best pep band for an amazing environment each game night.

You are now on the 41st point on the welcome trail coming from Siebens Fieldhouse on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Lamberti Recreation Center

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In use year-round is Lamberti Recreation Center with its 200-meter 6-lane track, three multi-purpose courts, and two batting cages. In addition to baseball, softball, tennis and track practices, the Lamberti Recreation Center is also used for campus activities such as Intramurals and midnight basketball and volleyball games. We also use this space for our athletic training program which was accredited in 2003, and boasts a passing rate of 80% on the certification exam. Health Services offices are also in this area and our staff provides care to students through nursing assessment, evaluation, and treatment of illness or injury at no cost.

Outdoor Recreation House and Storm Lake

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Being on the banks of a 3,100-acre natural lake means we like to spend time outside. The BVU Recreation House offers students free use of camping gear, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, paddle boards, bikes, snow shoes, cross country skis, ice skates, sports equipment, frisbees, fishing poles, and so much more. There's also a lakeside firepit to sit at with friends while making smores and enjoying the sunset. We are proud of where we live and enjoy all the lake can offer. We are also invested in our traditions such as Ringing of the Victory Bell to celebrate football victories or commemorate special occasions.

You are now on the 47th point on the welcome trail coming from Outdoor Recreation House and Storm Lake on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Estelle Siebens Science Center

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Is science your passion, or are you simply interested in the natural world? The Estelle Siebens Science Center features 18 laboratories, seven classrooms, three research areas and 24 offices for faculty and student collaboration. Undergrad research projects are a key part of the curriculum and this building houses student research areas to keep projects running long-term. "Science Avenue" is a prominent atrium corridor that puts projects on display and connects to the two-story, glass-walled rotunda nicknamed "The Beaker" to a greenhouse boasting three environmental growth chambers.

Virtual Reality Lab

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Fall in love with science all over again through amazing technology and enthusiastic professors who love working with you to discover something new every day. The Virtual Reality Lab offers students an in-depth hands-on learning experience where you can work on game design, engineer new products, and test out what you're learning. There is also one of Iowa's most advanced cadaver labs. At many universities, working on cadavers is withheld until medical school. At BVU, they are introduced at the sophomore level. The sky isn't the limit here as there's even an observatory with telescope on the third floor.

You are now on the 53rd point on the welcome trail coming from Virtual Reality Lab on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Center for Sculpture and Ceramics

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One of the newest buildings on campus, the Social Sciences Hall, uniquely blends a large academic space with a comfortable learning environment. All around this lavish site are classrooms, conference rooms, offices, an observation room, and student lounge featuring comfortable furniture. The Woods House, a house devoted to activism, has been recreated here. This is a special, home-like environment in which students, faculty, and staff gather, chat, and study. Show people your creations and view the talent and creativity of your classmates in the Art Gallery, using our cutting-edge art sculpture and art studios for inspiring displays that change regularly to feature new students.

You are now on the 57th point on the welcome trail coming from Center for Sculpture and Ceramics on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Smith Hall

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Education is central to BVU's legacy. Smith Hall, one of the most fabled structures on campus, is where future teachers are educated. This hall has classrooms and collaboration areas for students to work together while receiving support from professors. Updated technology labs help educate students on the ever-changing uses of technology in education. The Underground, a gathering space for students, has pool tables, a small stage, table tennis, and four large-screen TVs, as well as study areas. Organizations across campus hold events here, such as coffee house sngers, Monday Night Football, poetry readings, dances, bands, talent shows, improv and more!

You are now on the 61st point on the welcome trail coming from Smith Hall on your way to City of Storm Lake.

Center for Criminal Justice Studies

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The innovative Center for Criminal Justice Studies contains a simulation room, three crime scene investigation rooms, a meeting area, and a classroom space. The Center's cutting-edge simulation room immerses users with more than 800 pre-programmed computer-generated scenarios, including more than 50 spoken in Spanish to strengthen multicultural awareness among students. These scenarios allow students to integrate real-world situations into the classroom and immediately apply course concepts so they are better equipped to enter the workforce. The Center trains students to think critically in difficult, high-stress situations and to evaluate a crime scene while keeping in mind at all times the laws which allow them to do their work.

City of Storm Lake

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Fun places to explore? Check. Natural beauty? Check. A safe community? Check. Home away from home? Check. Storm Lake, Iowa, is the ideal place to attend college. Not only is this a great place to learn, it's perfect for self-discovery. Get ready to build friendships and make memories. Start in Storm Lake and go confidently wherever your path leads. The shores of Storm Lake are unbeatable for the quiet reflection and focus you'll want for studying. Your friends and family will want to visit and you'll have plenty of time to show them everything from our incredible lakeshore to our active downtown. We hope to see you on campus soon!

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