"The residence life program is an integral part of the educational program and academic support services of [St. Olaf]. In the conviction that significant learning takes place outside of the classroom, the college strives to educate students through positive, challenging and supportive residence life experiences." ÐThe Academic Catalog for 2000-02, St. Olaf College

From day one of Week One to graduation day, every St. Olaf student is intimately acquainted with the collegeÕs residence life policy. Every first-year and sophomore (except a very lucky few with missing in action roommates) understands all too well that dealing with that difficult roommate is not a choice, but a duty. Nearly every junior and senior knows that, regardless of how ready he may be for "real-life," not living on campus is not an option. They know that while escaping this "integral part of the educational program and academic support services of [St. Olaf]" is not an option for them, somehow some students manage to slip through the cracks of the residence life policy.

These students overcome the seemingly daunting residence life program in a variety of ways. Some are 22 or older when classes resume in September, some are married, and some are undergoing a major financial catastrophe and consequently cannot afford to live on campus. Every student must first apply to live off campus and adequately convince Director of Residence Life, Jim Benjamin, of the need to live off campus.

Junior Kristina Alton is one such student. In July of 1999 Alton got married, and has been living off campus ever since. She and her husband currently live in an apartment within walking distance of St. Olaf. Alton enjoys this arrangement: "It's great to have my own placeÑaway from campus, with a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room. I love the feeling of independence I get from having a life of my own, and I feel more connected to the world outside St. Olaf."

Yet living off campus is not perfect. "Now that I live off campus, I am less connected to life at St. Olaf. It is my second year off campus and I am still struggling with feeling like I am really a part of the St. Olaf community," Alton said. "Because I moved off campus when I was a sophomore, I have had a hard time staying involved in normal college life. That's okay most of the time. Sometimes I feel like I am not getting the same ÔSt. Olaf experienceÕ that other, on-campus students are getting. I would recommend that students who move off campus stay involved in on campus activities, because a lot of life happens at St. Olaf outside of the classroom."

"We believe it is beneficial to be on-campus," Benjamin says. "There is a great ease of being able to be involved." It seems St. Olaf students agree.

Perhaps the fear of losing touch with the St. Olaf community is a stronger sentiment among St. Olaf students than one would think. A surprisingly small number of students live off campus. This year only 140 students, including student teachers, live off-campus. Last year 160 students and student teachers lived off campus.