Student Services

BMCC has been active in the rodeo world almost since the college was founded. Our men’s and women’s rodeo teams compete in intercollegiate rodeos throughout the Northwest and nationally. The team has enjoyed great success over the years by winning numerous regional championships and by winning the national championship in 1987 and the national reserve championship in 1999. The BMCC rodeo team has produced many regional and national champions who have gone on to participate in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and become world and national PRCA champions.

If you are interested in becoming part of the Timberwolves pride and spirit, please contact the BMCC Athletics Department or team coach.

Intramural Sports

BMCC recently reintroduced intramural sports as a recreational activity for students, thanks to the leadership of the Associated Student Government (ASG). Intramural sports include winter basketball and spring soccer. Ping pong tournaments also occur throughout the year in the Student Union.

Clubs

A variety of student activities are available which enhance the cultural atmosphere of the campus and provide educational, recreational, social, and leadership opportunities for interested students. Some of these clubs include: The Network Club, Fueling the Future Diesel Club, Smoke and Mirrors (Writing Club) and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. For more information contact the Associated Student Government (ASG) at 541-278-5948 or stop by the ASG office in Pioneer Hall on the Pendleton campus.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. The Society recognizes and encourages academic achievement and provides opportunities for individual growth and development through scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship. Students must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA in order to become members.

The BMCC chapter is Beta Delta Zeta and meets weekly throughout the academic year. Students regularly participate in service and research activities on campus. Leadership positions are available. For more information about this program, please see the chapter’s website at http://bluecc.edu/support-services/student-life/phi-theta-kappa.

Student Ambassadors

BMCC student ambassadors represent various regions, programs, and interests of the student body. They participate in recruitment events and college fairs, visit high schools, give campus tours, communicate with potential students, and represent BMCC to the community.

The student ambassadors’ primary function is to provide leadership, assistance, and information to prospective BMCC students. The program is an exciting opportunity that helps students develop their leadership skills, while making lifelong friends. By becoming an ambassador, you can make a difference in a prospective student’s outlook by giving him/her information about the transition into college life and how to make the most out of the college experience.

In exchange for weekly service, student ambassadors receive tuition waivers and leadership training. Each spring, the college selects ambassadors for the following academic year. For more information contact the Student Outreach Office at 541-278-5936.

Student Government

BMCC has an active student government. The Associated Student BMCC has an active student government. The Associated Student Government (ASG) is responsible for planning various cultural, governmental, and entertainment events, as well as contributing to college governance committees. ASG sponsors a variety of events each quarter (Fall-Spring). The events include a Welcome Back BBQ, student appreciation lunches, The Christmas Eve Dinner, American Red Cross blood drives, an Arts and Culture Festival BBQ and Spring Fling. The group has also begun development of intramural activities like basketball, dodgeball, and soccer. ASG provides scholarships through the BMCC Foundation.

The executive committee of the ASG consists of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, club coordinator, outreach coordinator, and publicity coordinator. The remaining members of the ASG are student senators. If you would like to apply to ASG, applications are located on the BMCC website and are due April 30th of each year for the following year. If you are interested in ASG or would like additional information, please contact any ASG member at 541-278-5948 or the ASG advisor and 541-278-5937, or stop by the ASG office in Pioneer Hall on the Pendleton campus. All BMCC students are encouraged to become involved.

Theatre Arts

For almost 50 years, the BMCC Theatre Arts Department has enjoyed a unique collaboration with College Community Theatre (CCT), the local community theatre company. Together, and often also working with the BMCC Music Department, these combined programs produce a minimum of three major productions each academic year, presented in the 280-seat Bob Clapp Theatre on the BMCC Pendleton campus. These productions provide creative opportunities and valuable hands-on experience for students and volunteers alike, while presenting first-rate theatre for the enjoyment of audiences from throughout the region. Whether merely seeking a creative outlet, or preparing for a career in the theatre arts, participants can work both on and off stage in all areas of theatrical production, including: acting, scenic, costume, and lighting design and construction, box office, stage management, assistant directing, and more. For more information contact the BMCC Fine Arts Department at 541-278-5944 or email theatre@bluecc.edu.

Counseling, Success Coach, and Advising

All degree-seeking students, whether full or part-time, are assigned a faculty advisor and a success coach upon admission to the college. However, faculty advisors and success coaches are available for all students at BMCC, whether degree-seeking or not. Faculty Advisors and Success Coaches work together to help students effectively meet their educational goals.

Success Coaches

Success coaches provide students with support, information, and access to important resources. A success coach will help students learn how to navigate college systems and act as a liaison between the student, academic advising, and all student services offered at BMCC. Some of these services include orientation to college life, veterans’ assistance, transfer guidance, career guidance, tutoring, health and wellness resources, and disability support services.

Academic Advising

Faculty advisors meet with students at designated academic progress points to help students plan, develop, and stay on track with their academic career paths. Faculty advisors work with students to help ensure they are taking classes that are appropriate for the students’ level of readiness and apply to their chosen degree plans.

Student Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness Resource Center

The Student Health & Wellness Resource Center (HWRC) is located in the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Library in Morrow Hall. Employing a whole-health perspective, the HWRC offers services that recognize the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical concerns of students. The HWRC uses a proactive approach to well-being through life coaching, peer mentoring, counseling, disabilities accommodations, informational workshops, group connections, and referral to community resources. We are also working to develop a safe college atmosphere through drug and alcohol education, sexual assault and violence awareness, and life balance. Students are welcome to drop in for a quiet place to study, relax, or seek assistance.

Counseling

Counseling services through the Health & Wellness Resource Center provide assistance in the areas of problem solving, adjustment issues, crisis intervention and other matters of personal concern that may interfere with your academic success at BMCC. We offer short-term individual counseling, (approximately 5 sessions). If you require services that are outside the scope of assistance provided by our department and/or involve long-term intensive or specialized care (in-patient treatment) you may be referred to an appropriate mental health provider in the community.

Availability of Service: Personal counseling services are available two days per week during regular business hours in fall, winter, and spring terms. We also provide limited access to counseling services in the summer term. The department prefers to use appointments as the basis for seeing the counselor; however, if she is not scheduled with other students, meeting on an unscheduled, ‘dropin’ basis is acceptable.

Appointments to see the counselor may be scheduled with Cindy Womack: 541-278-5965, or Stephanie Brown: 541-278-5853. If you require emergency services when BMCC staff are unavailable, you are advised to contact Lifeways (Comprehensive Mental Health Services) at 541-276-6207. A 24-hour Crisis Services Line can be reached at: 866-343-4473 or hope@bluecc.edu

Bookstore

The BMCC Bookstore is located adjacent to the library in Pioneer Hall on the BMCC Pendleton campus and provides services to students at all BMCC locations. All the most up to date course material information can be found at the BMCC Bookstore. The bookstore’s website at www.bookstore.bluecc.edu uses an integrated price comparison tool to do the shopping for you and find you the best price.

Bookstore products and services include new and used textbooks, in-store and on-line textbook rentals, study aides, calculators, school and art supplies, sundries, and stamps. The bookstore also offers a wide selection of clothing, gifts, snacks, and beverages. Academic pricing on computer software is also available to those who qualify. Textbooks are also available at the centers in Baker City, Milton-Freewater, and Hermiston for classes held at those locations. If you are taking classes at any of these locations and have questions about textbook purchases, please contact the local center directly. Please contact the bookstore for book refund and textbook buyback policy.

Textbooks and merchandise can be ordered online at www.bookstore.bluecc.edu. For more information or questions, please contact the bookstore at 541-278-5733 or e-mail bookstore@bluecc.edu.

Copy Center

The BMCC Copy Center is located in the bookstore in Pioneer Hall on the Pendleton campus and is open to the public. The copy center offers a variety of services, including black and white or color copies, term paper covers, resume printing, laminating, and various types of binding, among others. It is available for drop-off service. Please stop in or call 541-278-5966 to speak with a member of the copy center staff for more information.

Student Union Cafeteria

The Pendleton campus houses the BMCC Student Union and Cafeteria, located in Pioneer Hall. The cafeteria is open to students, staff and visitors providing a variety of menu options. The cafeteria is operated by a local, privately run business and offers catering services to support the college faculty, staff, and students by assisting with special events and college catering. If you need any of these services, please call 541-278-5946.

The cafeteria hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Payment methods include cash, check, or debit card. The cafeteria is closed on Fridays, holidays, finals week, Christmas and spring breaks, and during the summer term.

Library

The Library at Blue Mountain Community College serves students, faculty, and staff across the curriculum. Through thoughtful services and access to vital learning and technology resources, the library supports the scholarly pursuits and lifelong learning goals of the campus and larger community.

Located in Pioneer Hall on the Pendleton campus, the physical space of the Library provides a welcoming environment for learning through a variety of group and individual study spaces. The Library is equipped with an array of technologies including: multiple computers, laptops for checkout, media viewing/listening stations and a copier, printer, and scanner. The Library’s print and online collections are selected and maintained to meet the academic needs of the institution and students and faculty are encouraged to contact a Library staff member for assistance in navigating Library resources.

The Library also has an extensive amount of resources available online to all Blue Mountain Community College library card holders. These materials and services can be accessed via the Library’s homepage, www.bluecc.edu/library and include: eBooks, Library Databases offering full-text content, and Research Guides that support learning via tutorials and suggested resources by discipline. Assistance is available online through the Library’s, “Ask a Librarian” link.

Regardless of when and where you take classes at BMCC, learning to find, use, and evaluate information is a key skill set that you will use in any profession and throughout your life. The Library’s mission is to support your skills and academic success, for more information please go to the Library’s website, www.bluecc.edu/library or call, 541-278-5915.

Technology Support

BMCC’s IT department provides a Help Desk to assist with technology issues. Call 541-278-5827 or email helpdesk@bluecc.edu.

Ed2Go

You can acquire valuable new skills from the comfort and convenience of your own home or office. Our students give our Ed2Go classes excellent evaluations. All courses require Internet access, and e-mail. We provide a detailed, on-line orientation after you register in person or online. Courses start once a month and run for six weeks.

Lessons are released twice a week on Wednesday and Friday throughout the six-week course. Once a lesson is released, you will have access to it throughout the six-week course. You can log on anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These are non-credit courses, however, we transcript all hours and courses as proof of completion. A Certificate of Completion is provided upon successful completion of the course.

To view a complete list of our courses, including course descriptions, student evaluations, syllabus, required software, books and instructor qualifications, check the Ed2Go website, http://www.ed2go.com/bmcc/.

Distance Education

Distance education is any kind of learning in which students and the instructor are separated by time and/or place. It can be delivered using various methods of technologies, including:

• E-Course: Course offerings are provided over the internet, asynchronously. Tests are conducted online, at a BMCC location, or an approved proctored site.
• E-Live: Courses using a web-conferencing tool, delivered synchronously (real time). This delivery method offers students the opportunity to interact with faculty and other students even though separated by space. Students may take classes from any computer that has internet access. E-Live classes can be done in real time, with the instructor teaching at a designated site, while the student participates from a computer located anywhere there is internet service. Classes are recorded and can be viewed at a later time.
• Interactive Video Conferencing (ITV): Classes originate from another site but are in real-time and place. Classes are offered through interactive television or Web-based software. Students at “receive” sites are separated from the instructor. Who Benefits From Distance Education?
• The time-bound student, whose job or education schedule conflicts with the times when classes are offered on campus.
• The distance-bound student, who lives far from where classes are offered.
• The home-bound student, who cannot leave home for personal reasons.
• Those who have work schedules which prevent them from finding blocks of time to participate in classes.
• Those who seek to advance themselves in their current career or to prepare for a new career.

Who Benefits From Distance Education?

• The time-bound student, whose job or education schedule conflicts with the times when classes are offered on campus.
• The distance-bound student, who lives far from where classes are offered.
• The home-bound student, who cannot leave home for personal reasons.
• Those who have work schedules which prevent them from finding blocks of time to participate in classes.
• Those who seek to advance themselves in their current career or to prepare for a new career.

Who Should Take Distance Education Classes?

• Self-motivated learners
• Time- or place-bound learners
• Technically astute learners

Registering for Distance Education Classes:

Student services and financial assistance information for distance education students-such as admissions, enrollment, registration, advising, book purchases, and payment-are the same as for any other classes offered at BMCC, noted elsewhere in this catalog. Please see the “Getting Started” section on page 4 for more information. For registration information and a list of courses, go to www.bluecc.edu.

Financial Assistance for Distance Education:

Online students may be eligible to receive financial assistance. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. BMCC’s federal school code is 003186. Check page 28 of this catalog or our Website for more financial assistance information

Paying for Distance Education Classes:

Blue Mountain Community College’s distance education classes are assessed at the current tuition and fees listed in the Schedule of Classes published each term and online at www.bluecc.edu. There is an additional distance education class fee for each class.

Purchasing Distance Education Textbooks:

Students can order books online with a credit card at www.bookstore.bluecc.edu, or students can call the bookstore at 541-278-5733 or send a fax to 541-278-5842.

Library Services:

Many library services and electronic databases are available online to all students, whether on or off campus. Go to www.bluecc.edu/library for information on library services.

Technical Help and Support:

The Office of Distance Education is located on the Pendleton campus in Pioneer Hall, Room154. The email address is Distance_Ed@bluecc.edu.

Find tutorials, frequently asked questions, self-assessment tests, and hardware and software requirements for taking online classes on the Distance Education page of our website. Students can view current term class information on the Distance Education webpage.

Veterans Benefits

Military Educational Benefits

BMCC assists veterans and family members of veterans with three primary types of benefits:

• United States Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits - Students apply for these benefits through the VA, and the BMCC Financial Assistance Office certifies them.
• Oregon Veteran Educational Aid Program (Tuition Assistance) - Students apply for this benefit through the State Veterans’ Affairs Office, and the benefit is paid by the state directly to the school to be applied towards the students’ tuition and fees.
• BMCC tuition waivers for military and qualifying family members -students apply for one of these waivers through BMCC. Forms are available on the BMCC Website. The Financial Aid Office reviews these requests.

Since each of these three types of benefits are administered by different agencies and/or offices, they have distinctly different processes for accessing. The following is a guide for requesting and receiving each of these benefits. For more information please visit: www.bluecc.edu/support-services/services/veterans-and-service-members

VA Educational Benefits:

General Information about applying: In order to receive VA educational benefits, veterans must:

• Take the BMCC placement test to determine proper course placement before enrollment
• Be assigned an academic advisor
• Be pursuing a BMCC degree or certificate

To begin receiving educational benefits, veterans must:

• Apply for VA Education Benefits online
• Complete 2015-2016 Enrollment Certification
• Read the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities

Additional documents needed:

• Those discharged from active duty also provide a copy of ‘Certificate of Eligibility’ letter from the VA or DD-214
• Active members of the National Guard and Reserves also provide a copy of their Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)

Return forms to:

Processing: Please allow two to three weeks for processing and certification of your enrollment to the VA. Benefits are paid directly to the student. It is important that you are aware of tuition payment deadlines and payment options.

Pay Table: Rates of pay depend on the veteran’s chapter and on his or her enrollment level. BMCC will inform the VA of any enrollment changes during the term, which may result in adjustments to the monthly allowance. It is the veteran’s responsibility to report any changes to the veterans certifying official.

Pay rates are updated each year, usually in October. Veterans may be eligible for additional tuition assistance, or “kickers.” Contact the VA directly at 1-888-442-4551 for specific payment questions.

• Chapter 30 - Discharged from Active Duty
• Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
• Chapter 32 - Veterans Education Assistance Program
• Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve
• Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
• Chapter 35 - Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance
• Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill

Certification Periods: The veterans certifying official will certify based on BMCC’s official academic calendar. Some courses vary in length. The veterans certifying official will certify enrollment according to each course’s beginning and ending dates, which may affect the rate of pay.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) The financial aid office is responsible for ensuring that all students who receive VA benefits maintain Good Academic Standing per BMCC’s Institutional Academic Progress Policy. The student’s SAP will be reviewed before making awards each academic year and at the end of each term. The standards of SAP can be found in the «VA Statement of Rights and Responsibilities».

Oregon Veterans - Tuition Assistance

The Oregon Veteran Educational Aid Program provides educational benefits to veterans pursuing approved training or coursework equal to the months of active duty service up to 36 months.

Benefits are paid while pursuing classroom instruction, home study courses, vocational training, licensing and certificates from accredited Oregon educational institutions.

Payment Amounts:

Full-time students are entitled to receive up to $150 per month.
Part-time students are entitled to receive up to $100 per month.
Students may not receive Oregon Veteran Educational Aid payments if receiving educational aid under any federal act based on service in the Armed Forces. School criteria determine full-time and part-time status.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Active duty in the Armed Forces of the U.S. for not less than 90 days; and
• Released from military service under honorable conditions; and
• Resident of Oregon when applying for state educational aid; and
• Citizen of the United States; and
• Served during the Korean War (June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955) or after June 30, 1958.

Getting Started:

Eligibility forms, application forms, and counseling about Oregon educational aid for veterans are available by calling 1-800-692-9666, or go to www.oregon.gov/ODVA/BENEFITS/pages/OregonEducationBenefit.aspx

BMCC Military Tuition Waivers:

BMCC, with the purpose of enhancing student support while providing a premier learning environment, provides military tuition waivers to honor returning veterans and the dependents of deployed, disabled, and fallen military service members.

Definitions:

Veteran: any Oregon resident who is a member of the United States armed services and is currently on active duty or is an Oregon resident who has been honorably discharged. Veterans will register in the same manner as all other students.
Disabled Veteran: 100% disabled as a result of a militaryconnected disability as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, or fallen while in military service.
Dependent: spouse or any unmarried child under the age of 24 of a deployed veteran, a 100% disabled veteran (as described above), or a veteran who died as a result of military connected disability or service.

Guidelines:

This tuition waiver is for 50% of the tuition costs for credit courses during the student’s first year of his/her degree program at BMCC, unless these costs are covered by the Montgomery GI Bill or tuition assistance.

The student must be taking a minimum of one credit towards his/her stated BMCC certificate or degree. The student’s year will begin with the first term in which the student commences degree course work and will end after four consecutive terms. If a student chooses to attend for fewer than the four given terms, his/her eligibility is still exhausted after the fourth consecutive term.

This waiver will not cover fees and AFEES (i.e., fees for non-credit classes.)

If the student is co-enrolled, this tuition waiver covers only the cost of BMCC courses.

The waiver cannot exceed the number of credits required for an associate’s degree.

The prospective student must reside within the BMCC service area, which includes Umatilla, Morrow, Baker, Grant, and Wallowa counties.

If the veteran is called to active duty, he/she will have the choice of continuing course work via distance education or re-entering the program upon his/her return. Returning veterans who were enrolled in limited-entry programs will be allowed re-entry if the program allows and if the curriculum has not undergone significant changes.

To Apply:

Veterans: To receive a tuition waiver, each term a veteran must present a current identification card or discharge papers (DD214) along with the completed waiver form.
Dependents: To receive a tuition waiver, each term the prospective student must present proof of the residency and death or 100% disability of the Oregon service member, proof of his/her campaign service (DD Form #214), and proof of his/her dependent status along with the completed waiver form, which can be found on BMCC’s Website at www.bluecc.edu/admissions_forms.

Important links:

• GI Bill Information - www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
• GI Bill WAVE - Web Automated Verification of Enrollment - www.gibill.va.gov/wave/
• Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs ODVA - www.oregon.gov/ODVA/
• ODVA Educational Aid for Veterans - www.oregon.gov/ODVA/BENEFITS/pages/OregonEducationBenefit.aspx
• DD 214 Requests Online - www.archives.gov/veterans/