Among the regulations and procedures covered in The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook are the topics listed below. A few of the most important of these academic regulations are reprinted in full in the pages which follow.
At the end of each test or examination, every student is expected to sign the following pledge: "I pledge my honor that during this examination I have neither given nor received assistance, and that I have seen no dishonest work." Failure to sign this pledge indicates that in the student's opinion the system was violated during the examination. The Honor System is considered violated when information which results in or could result in an unfair advantage for one or more students is given or received before, during, or after a test.
Violation of the Honor System constitutes one of the most serious offenses that a student can commit. Violations come under the jurisdiction of the Honor Council, which is composed of students elected from each class and a faculty adviser. It is the responsibility of each student and faculty member to keep this system working and effective.
For more detailed information, consult The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook.
Faculty members are assigned by the Office of Admissions as advisers to first-year students and transfer students. Following this initial assignment, students may change advisers as their interest and area of study becomes more focused. Adviser change forms are available in the Registrar's office. Faculty advisers give each student continuous academic guidance in planning his or her program.
The advice of faculty advisers does not constitute a promise or a contract ensuring a student's graduation on schedule, or the completion of specific requirements. The responsibility for understanding and meeting degree requirements rests entirely with the student. Computerized Degree Audits which detail each student's progress toward graduation are available free of charge upon request anytime during the year at the Registrar's Office. See: Degree Audits below.
A student may be dismissed:
Cumulative G.P.A. of 1.87 after the completion of 26 credits.
Cumulative G.P.A. of 1.75 after the completion of 17 credits.
Cumulative G.P.A. of 1.50 after the completion of 8 credits.
A student will be placed on academic probation with:
For credit purposes, "course" means a full (1.00) course credit, as distinguished from fractional course credits.
St. Olaf courses are not denominated in semester or quarter credits. Each course is equivalent to 4 semester credits or 5.50 quarter credits. Full-credit courses have a minimum of 38-40 class-instruction hours. A St. Olaf class hour is 55 minutes. Each course meets 3 hours per week during 14-week semesters.
A normal semester course load is 3.50 to 4.50 courses. 4.5 courses is the maximum course load normally allowed from all sources during a semester, and only one course (a single unit of study) may be taken during Interim. An increase to 4.75 or five courses in a semester requires the approval of the Registrar and is granted only when the student has a 3.60 GPA over the most recent nine St. Olaf courses, or during the final semester preceding graduation regardless of G.P.A. First-year students are not eligible for course overloads.
A course load exceeding 4.5 credits involves additional cost. Students should consult the Business Office for specifics as well as the "Comprehensive Fee" section of this catalog. Consult the Index for more details.
A Degree Audit is a computerized review of each student's course transcript matched against the college's requirements for a degree. Except for progress in the major, residency requirements, and the "21 outside the major" requirement, it tells a student where he/she stands relative to graduation at a given moment.
Degree audits are available at no charge from the Registrar's Office upon signed request by the student. Other than faculty advisers and college officials, third parties cannot receive copies. Audits are planning aids only. Their accuracy is not guaranteed, and they cannot be considered a promise or a contract between the college and the student. Students are responsible for reporting printed audit errors to the Registrar. The responsibility for understanding and meeting degree requirements rests entirely with the student.
Final examinations must be taken by all students as announced in the Class and Lab Schedules.
A student who is absent from the final examination, unless excused by the office of the Dean of Students for medical or emergency reasons, receives a failure on the exam. Attendance at the final exam meeting, whether for a final exam or a regular or special meeting, is required. Student requests for changes in exam time must follow procedures outlined under "Final Exams" in The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook.
The foreign language departments place first year and other new students in appropriate language courses on the basis of placement tests or high school preparation and through consultation with the department concerned. Students expecting to continue a foreign language are advised to take the Placement Exam given during Week One and at the beginning of Semester II.
The Foreign Language Placement Tests are relatively short, standardized diagnostic tests of an objective nature (including sections of reading and listening comprehension). These tests cannot be considered exhaustive and are uniquely for the purpose of placement. They are not to be considered as providing a satisfactory basis for the certification of proficiency. They do not provide course credit.
The Foreign Language Proficiency Tests are administered by the various foreign language departments. These tests are given two times yearly, the first Saturday following the beginning of classes in September and again in February. Dates are announced by departments at least two weeks before the administration of each test.
The Foreign Language Proficiency Tests measure proficiency at a level equivalent to the end of the corresponding number 231 or 232 language course. A student who passes the St. Olaf Proficiency test satisfies the St. Olaf foreign language requirement, but does not receive numerical course credit.
First-year students may take a proficiency test in September only if the placement test results recommend placement in a course numbered 251 or higher, or if four years of study in the same language are presented from high school. Upperclass students may take a proficiency test either time it is administered. Students wishing to take a proficiency test must register in the Foreign Language Office in Old Main before 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the Saturday the test is given. Questions concerning the exact date of the tests should be addressed to the Foreign Language Office in Old Main.
Students who pass the proficiency test may not take a course in that language below the 233 level.
Students required to pay the $10 fee will do so in the Foreign Language Office at the time they register for the test.
St. Olaf calculates the grade point average on a four (4) point system. Final grades are designated as follows:
Excellent
A/A+ 4.0 grade points
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
Very Good
B 3.0 grade points
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
Satisfactory
C 2.0 grade points
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
Poor
D 1.0 grade points
D- 0.7
Failure
F 0.0 grade points (no credit)
N No Credit (D+ to F)
U Unsatisfactory (D+ to F)
Other
I Incomplete
P Pass (C- or higher)
S Satisfactory (C- or higher)
W Withdrawal (medical), no credit
Students receiving an N or U will not receive credit for that course. N or U is given for work graded D+ or lower.
N, U, I, P, S, and W are not counted in computing the grade point average. Although a course grade of F does not carry credit, an F is counted in computing the G.P.A.
Grade 1 0.75 0.5 0.25 A 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 A- 3.70 2.77 1.85 .92 B+ 3.30 2.47 1.65 .82 B 3.00 2.25 1.50 .75 B- 2.70 2.02 1.35 .67 C+ 2.30 1.72 1.15 .57 C 2.00 1.50 1.00 .50 C- 1.70 1.27 .85 .42 D+ 1.30 .97 .65 .32 D 1.00 .75 .50 .25 D- .70 .52 .35 .17
The grade point average is based upon final grades for all work done at St. Olaf. Credit and grade points for work transferred from other schools except Carleton (inter-registration) and the Nursing Consortium program are not counted in determining the grade point average. Courses graded by non-St. Olaf faculty through off-campus programs are not computed in the G.P.A. A grade point average of C (2.00)is required for graduation from the College.
Seniors with a 3.30 or higher overall grade point average at the end of the senior year will be graduated cum laude (with honors); with 3.60 or higher, magna cum laude (with high honors); and with 3.85 or higher, summa cum laude (with highest honors). In determining honors, a grade point average is never rounded up. Because of the non traditional evaluation system used in the Paracollege, Paracollege students do not receive honors on diplomas at Commencement, and are generally not included in Honors Day recognitions.
All students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher are recognized at Honors Day in May each year.
St. Olaf does not maintain a semester "Dean's List." Because of the non traditional evaluation system in the Paracollege, Paracollege students are generally not included in Honors Day recognitions.
An incomplete is a temporary grade denoted by the letter I. It indicates that a part of the work of the course has not been completed because of documented medical or family emergency reasons. It must be initiated by the student, who must personally seek authorization from the Office of the Dean of Students well before the grades due date. Unless such work is completed by the date specified, a grade of F is recorded; seniors must have all Incompletes from first semester and Interim removed by April 1.
Upon withdrawing from St. Olaf at the end of a semester or year, a student in good academic standing may apply to the Office of the Dean of Students for a Leave of Absence. An approved leave provides the student with the right to return to St. Olaf without re-applying to the Office of Admissions. It also provides the student with the opportunity to register for future courses at the normal time of registration in a given semester either in person or through a proxy. In addition, a student planning to return after a leave of absence may participate in room draw at its regular time either through a proxy or in person.
The Leave of Absence agreement requires that returning students make the minimum tuition deposit four weeks prior to registration or room draw, and notify the Registrar's Office (in cases of registration) and the Dean of Students' Office (in cases of room draw) of their intention to return to St. Olaf.
The college reserves the right to deny re-admission in cases where intervening circumstances warrant such denial.
P/N credits are earned in courses that are offered only on an ungraded basis. A P is awarded for a grade of C- or higher; an N represents a grade of D+ or lower. An N does not earn course credit. Neither a P nor an N figure into the G.P.A. Courses offered only on the P/N basis may fulfill a General Education, Comprehensive, or Distribution Graduation requirement. Paracollege tutorials do not fulfill these requirements.
A student repeating a course is required to complete and file the appropriate form with the Registrar's office when registering for that course. A course may be repeated only once, only at St. Olaf, and only when the grade was C- or below, U or N.
A course cannot be repeated after satisfactory completion of any course in the same department for which the repeated course is a prerequisite. A repeated course may be taken S/U only if the course was originally taken S/U and a U received. Each course attempted remains a part of the permanent record, but only the second grade is computed into the G.P.A.
Regardless of the number of times repeated, a course may earn only one credit once a passing grade is awarded.
The S/U policy applies to all students regardless of which set of graduation requirements the student is under. Students may take a limited number of courses on an S/U basis. The intent of this option is to allow students to explore areas in which they have an interest, but from the outset feel their preparation may be minimal. Except for .25-creditcourses, courses taken S/U do not fulfill General Education, Comprehensive or Distribution Requirements.
All courses are open to the S/U option as distinguished from P/N (pass-no pass) courses where the ungraded option is mandatory. Neither an S nor a U figure into the G.P.A. An S is awarded for a grade of C- or higher; a U represents a grade of D+ or lower. A U does not earn course credit.
In completing the minimum of 35 full courses required for graduation, students may take up to six full-course equivalents on an S/U basis.
Of courses taken to meet General Education, Comprehensive or Distribution requirements, only 0.25 credit courses may be taken on an S/U basis. Such courses are counted toward the six full-credit course equivalents allowed. Full-credit courses taken S/U do not fulfill General Education, Comprehensive or Distribution credits.
Only one full-course equivalent taken S/U may count toward the minimum requirements for a major.
The 24 graded course requirement must be observed.
The choice to take a full-credit course S/U must be declared at the normal time of registration. Between registration and the first day of classes a student may change a course to S/U but not afterward. Students may elect to change the grading option from S/U to graded through the last date to change as posted in the college calendar. With the exception of .25 credit courses, students may not elect to change the option from graded to S/U after a course has begun. This provision is not subject to petition or appeal.
A course completed on an S/U basis may not be assigned a grade at a later date. A course completed on a graded basis cannot be changed to S/U at a later date. These regulations are not subject to petition or waiver.
Courses taken S/U on St. Olaf off-campus programs count toward the six full-course equivalents allowed. This is distinguished from off-campus courses offered P/N only.
Students going on non-St. Olaf off-campus programs may be subject to a reduced number of S/U courses and should consult with the Registrar in advance.
Students transferring to St. Olaf, or transferring work taken at other institutions after entering St. Olaf, may be subject to additional S/U restrictions and should consult with the Registrar in advance.
No indication of S/U registration is made on a professor's class list.
Some courses are offered on the P/N basis only upon previous approval of the Dean of the College; announcement is made in the Catalog or the Class and Lab Schedules.
The St. Olaf College Summer Session consists of two five-and-one-half-week terms, during each of which a student may take one or two courses. Thus, one may take as many as four courses, or the equivalent of a regular semester, during the Summer Session. Course descriptions and other details are in the Summer School Announcement.
Summer Session provides an increased educational opportunity for: students interested in an accelerated program leading to an earlier completion of their college work; students who have made late changes in their plans for a major or their future occupation; students who wish additional subject matter; teachers, alumni, and other adults interested in further study; students deficient in credit or grade points for graduation.
First-Year College Students Enrolling at St. Olaf -- First-year St. Olaf students are allowed to transfer course credits already completed at other institutions if those credits are judged by the Registrar to be St. Olaf course equivalents. However, after a new college student matriculates at St. Olaf, only four (4) courses from other colleges or universities may subsequently be transferred to St. Olaf for degree credit, and only two (2) of the four courses may count toward General Education, comprehensive, or distribution graduation requirements if approved by a St. Olaf Department Chair. Should the four courses, or a number less than four, be earned through non-St. Olaf off-campus or international programs after matriculation, none of the courses will count toward specific graduation requirements, but may count toward the student's major or as elective credits if pre-approved by a St. Olaf Department Chair. Course credits earned on St. Olaf off-campus programs or through interregistration with Carleton College are excluded from these restrictions.
A student cannot apply any course worth fewer than three semester or four quarter credits to a St. Olaf graduation requirement or toward the major. Transfer courses must have 35 hours of class instruction time. Courses transferred from non-St. Olaf, off-campus, domestic or abroad programs may receive major or elective credits. Students planning to participate in such programs must consult with the Registrar in advance. Transfer students or St. Olaf students transferring courses to the college's program will receive elective credit only for courses taken S/U or P/N at other institutions.
College Students Transferring to St. Olaf -- Students transferring to St. Olaf from other colleges or universities and matriculating as degree candidates will receive credit under existing college policy for courses already completed if those courses are judged to be St. Olaf credit equivalents. However, after a transfer student enrolls in St. Olaf the number of courses that may subsequently be taken at other colleges or universities and transferred to a St. Olaf degree are limited to two (2) if the student has already transferred eight or more courses to St. Olaf from another school(s); three (3) if six to seven courses have already been transferred to St. Olaf; and four (4) if five or fewer courses have already been transferred to St. Olaf from other institutions. Should these course quotas subsequently be filled through non-St. Olaf off-campus programs none of the credits will count toward specific graduation requirements, but may count toward the student's major or as elective courses if pre-approved by a St. Olaf Department Chair. These restrictions do not apply to future course credits earned through St. Olaf off-campus programs or through interregistration at Carleton College.
Students who are adversely affected by this transfer policy may apply to the college for additional external credits through procedures outlined under "Transfer Course Appeals" in The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook. Questions should be directed to the Registrar.
St. Olaf students transferring credits from other institutions must file a Transfer of Credit form available in the Registrar's Office before initiating studies elsewhere. Only course credits from accredited colleges or universities qualify for transfer.
Course credits with grades below C- will not transfer to St. Olaf. Credit will not be allowed for work taken at a junior or community (two-year) college or at the "General College" of the University of Minnesota after a student has earned 18 St. Olaf courses. Correspondence and Independent Study/Research courses normally will not receive St. Olaf course credits, nor will work taken at vocational, technical, business, or correspondence schools.
A student cannot apply any course worth fewer than three semester or four quarter credits to a St. Olaf graduation requirement or toward the major. Transfer courses must have 35 hours of class instruction time. Courses transferred from non-St. Olaf, off-campus, domestic or abroad programs may receive major or elective credits. Students planning to participate in such programs must consult with the Registrar in advance. Transfer students or St. Olaf students transferring courses to the college's program will receive elective credit only for courses taken S/U or P/N at other institutions.
Courses Transferred into the Major -- No more than four of the courses required for a major can be acquired by transfer work from another college(s). In circumstances where only four St. Olaf courses apply to the major, three must be graded receiving grades of C or higher.
Transfer Credit Scale: Consult the Index to find specific details on how Semester and Quarter Credits convert into St. Olaf Course Credits.
Students who contemplate withdrawing from the college at any time must contact the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss the implications of that action.
Withdrawal from St. Olaf after the last day to drop courses, unless for medical reasons, results in a failure in all courses. See also Leaves of Absence earlier in this section.
For information about the college's refund policy, see The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook.
Responsibility for the operation of St. Olaf College is vested in the Board of Regents. The President represents the Board and is responsible to it for the operation of the college.
The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws specify that the faculty shall determine policies regarding the educational operation of the college, subject to the Board of Regents' action through approval or veto.
Although students cannot unilaterally determine or change institutional policy, they are encouraged to initiate and recommend action toward these ends.
The primary means for student participation in reviewing and formulating institutional policy is through the student membership on faculty committees. Participation in these committees is seen as a major assignment for faculty members as well as for students.
Additional lines of communication for a student voice in institutional policy are open through:
For more information on Student Government, consult the Index.