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Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
Student ServicesAcademic Support CenterThe St. Olaf Academic Support Center (ASC) offers a variety of no-fee services to assist students in meeting the demands of higher education. The professional staff and the student staff of academic assistants are available to help students design individualized programs to develop college-level skill in reading, writing, notetaking, time management, mathematics, listening, concentrating, or problem solving. Most students first encounter the ASC during Week One in a Schedule Planning Workshop or in a series of sessions called "Meeting Academic Challenges at St. Olaf". The ASC compiles and maintains a list of help sessions offered by academic departments, and the staff supervises the following ongoing programs:
Counseling CenterPersonal and psychological counseling is available through the Student Counseling Center in the form of individual and group counseling sessions. Services are available to all students on a confidential, no-fee basis. The center assists students with a variety of concerns that typically involve issues related to relationships, identity, self-esteem, family, depression, victimization, anxiety/panic attacks, academics, grief and loss, socialization/isolation, food/body image, or chemical use/abuse. However, any personal concern is appropriate to bring to the Counseling Center. A variety of counseling groups are offered throughout the academic year. These groups focus on topics such as: family issues; food and body image concerns; coping with grief and loss; victimization issues; enhancing relationships; men's issues; women's issues; and personal growth. Nutrition counseling is available, on a limited basis, to students who have concerns related to their eating/body image. For these services, students must be referred to the dietician by the Counseling Center staff. Medication consultations are also available, on a limited basis, to students who wish to be evaluated for possible medication treatment and/or for ongoing medication management. For these services, students must be referred to the psychiatrist by the Counseling Center staff. Personal counseling is also available from the college pastors, the dean of students, and associate deans.Career Development CenterThe St. Olaf Career Development Center provides a wide range of resources to both students and alumni who wish to explore career alternatives. Career planning is an ongoing and developmental process. At St. Olaf, students are encouraged to consider career issues in a larger context. The process is called "career and life planning." The ultimate goal of the Career Development Center is to help students find a direction that allows them to use their gifts, talents, and abilities. The career and life planning process consists of three distinct phases. Phase One involves self-assessment. In this phase students explore personal issues such as values, skills, and interests. They are encouraged to examine who they are and what is important in their life. This involves asking such questions as:
Multicultural Student ServicesThe Multicultural Student Services Office was established to provide services and assist with issues and concerns of African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students. The office also will provide academic advising, and financial, personal, career, and social counseling when needed. Planning for cultural programming is deliberately integrated with the entire campus in an effort to raise the level of awareness and increase appreciation of cultural, social, and ethnic differences. Support and guidance for Harambe, Gospel club, and other student organizations are provided by the office.International Student ServicesSt. Olaf welcomes international students from around the world and Americans educated abroad. Upon their arrival, new international students are met at the airport and brought to the St. Olaf campus. Before the beginning of classes, new international students receive a special orientation to provide assistance with registration, U.S. immigration regulations, housing, banking, and U.S. tax concerns. International students live in residence halls with American students. Specially trained international student counselors are available to assist students throughout the year. They also plan social activities for international students, their roommates, and other St. Olaf students. Local families enjoy being "friendship families" to international students, and there are several home-stay programs offered for the Christmas holidays. The international student adviser is available to students for personal, social, academic, financial, and immigration counseling.Health Service and InsuranceThe St. Olaf College Health Center is under the direction of physicians from the Allina Medical Clinic in Northfield. The on-campus Health Center is located on the lower level of the Administration Building and is staffed by a registered nurse practitioner and a medical technologist. All students seeking medical attention are seen initially at the campus facility. Students requiring the services of a physician are then referred by appointment to the Allina Medical Clinic. Medications, supplies, laboratory tests, and x-rays are provided at the student's expense. Hospital and medical insurance with 12-month coverage is available to students at an additional cost. Information and application forms are sent to parents during the summer. A medical history, immunization records, and a physical examination are required of all students prior to entering St. Olaf.Property InsuranceThe college does not carry insurance on the personal property of students, faculty members, or other employees and is not responsible for the loss or damage of such property.OTHER CAMPUS SERVICESSt. Olaf BookstoreLocated on the main floor of Buntrock Commons, the St. Olaf Bookstore serves students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and campus visitors. Textbooks, general reading and reference books, office and school supplies, stationery, gifts, soft goods, health and beauty aids, newspapers, magazines, computer hardware and software, and recorded music may be purchased there. Services include special ordering, cap and gown rental, class ring orders, check cashing, and photofinishing. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted at the St. Olaf Bookstore. Online ordering is available at: www.stolaf.edu/services/bookstore. Toll-free phone orders are also taken at: 1-888-232-6523. The St. Olaf Bookstore is owned and operated by St. Olaf College and is a member of both the National Association of College Stores and the American Booksellers Association.College Post OfficeStudents and faculty are assigned mailboxes in Buntrock Commons and are held responsible for all official notices deposited in their boxes. Stamps, aerograms, Express Mail, certified mail, insured mail, and package mailing services are available. The mailing of insured and special delivery items must be handled by the Northfield Post Office.Public Radio 89.3 WCAL FM/88.7 KMSE89.3 WCAL is St. Olaf's public radio station. Owned and operated by St. Olaf College, 89.3 provides classical music, National Public Radio (NPR) news, and more to the Twin Cities region; 88.7 KMSE serves the Rochester, Minn., area; and Internet users can listen to the station live worldwide, via the Real Audio Playerô on its website, www.wcal.org. 89.3 WCAL is the station of "music and ideas." A significant amount of programming originates at St. Olaf, including broadcasts of numerous concerts and recitals, chapel services, and commentaries by faculty and other members of the St. Olaf community. 89.3 produces programs from the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival Concert that are carried on over 500 stations in this country and abroad. 89.3 WCAL has a full-time staff of 21 and employs from 20 to 30 students for part-time work during the school year. Both academic and informal internships can also be arranged. Students are invited to volunteer during 89.3's fund-raisers. 89.3 WCAL broadcasts with 100,000 watts at 89.3 MHz, 24 hours a day. The station is a founding member of NPR and receives an annual community service grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). It is an affiliate of Public Radio International (PRI). 89.3 is independent of Minnesota Public Radio. St. Olaf's radio service is "America's first listener-supported station," and listener support remains the station's single most important source of income. |