St. Olaf CollegeAcademic CatalogSt. Olaf College

Table of Contents
An Education for the 21st Century: Academic Life
Graduation Requirements
Academic Regulations and Procedures
International and Off-Campus Studies
Special Programs
Admissions and Financial Aid
Life Outside the Classroom
» Residential Life
» Student Services
» Co-Curricular Activities
People
Facts and Figures
College Calendar

Registrar's Office
Admin 224
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057

507-786-3015
registrar@stolaf.edu

 

Please note: This is NOT the most current catalog.

Student Services

Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center (ASC) works with students, faculty, and staff to assist students who strive to become stronger independent and collaborative learners. The ASC has professional staff and student staff to assist those who want to improve their academic performance either in general or in a particular course.

The ASC staffs three drop-in assistance centers offering help with study skills and time management (The Study Skills Center), with writing assignments at any stage of the writing process (The Writing Place), and with beginning calculus and statistics (The Math Clinics).

The ASC coordinates all one-on-one subject-area tutoring (The Tutoring Program), accommodations for students with disabilities (Student Disability Services), and individual English language tutoring for students with limited English proficiency (English Language Skills Assistance).

All ASC services are free of charge for full-time St. Olaf students.

For more information on the services provided by the ASC, look under Successful Study in the “A St. Olaf Education” section of this catalog, or go to the ASC website: http://www.stolaf.edu/services/asc/

Student Support Services

The St. Olaf College Student Support Services (SSS) program is a college retention program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Olaf College, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, and the Tradition Family Foundation. Funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, facilitated by the St. Olaf College Biology Department, provides primary funding for the five-week SSS Summer Bridge Program. The SSS program is one of three TRIO programs originally funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965, whose objective is to help students overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to complete their college education. SSS provides the following services: academic advising/referral; cultural events and leadership activities; financial aid advising; graduate school preparation; incentive program for acad-mic achievement; research, internship and scholarship application assistance; supplemental instruction (SI); and a graphing calculator lending program.

To be eligible for services, a participant must be a first-generation college student (neither parent has a four-year degree), must meet federal income guidelines, and/or have a documented disability. The SSS program provides services to approximately 160 eligible St. Olaf students annually. In order to apply for the program, students should contact Student Support Services, 507-786-8018.

Counseling Center

Personal and psychological counseling is available through the Student Counseling Center in the form ofindividual 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.

The Center for Experiential Learning

The mission of the Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) is to create and facilitate experiential learning that complements the St. Olaf curriculum in order to enrich students’ academic programs and guide them in pursuing vocational goals. The mission is carried out through four programs: career connections, internships, entrepreneurial studies, and service and civic leadership programs. For more information on the CEL, see the Index or visit http://www.stolaf.edu/services/cel/.

Community Life and Diversity

The Office of Community Life and Diversity, located in Buntrock Commons, encompasses the Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach Office and the Buntrock Commons Office. Together with the faculty Diversity Education Coordinator, these offices work with members of the campus and surrounding communities to address issues of diversity and inclusion. The dean of community life and diversity is also the college’s Affirmative Action officer; in this role she works closely with departments to assist them in adhering to Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) guidelines in faculty and staff recruitment and hiring. Students and student organizations are invited and encouraged to contact the office for additional information and for collaboration in related programs and activities.

Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach (MACO)

The Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach 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. The office also provides support and guidance for Harambe, Gospel Club, and other student organizations.

International Student Services

St. 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 Insurance

The 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 Insurance

The 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.

Veterans administration

St. Olaf College is approved by the Veterans Administration for the education of veterans and is respon-sible for certifying and transmitting necessary information to the Veterans Administration. Contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@stolaf.edu or 507-786-3014 for more information.

OTHER CAMPUS SERVICES

St. Olaf Bookstore

Located on the main floor of Buntrock Commons, the St. Olaf Bookstore sells textbooks, general reading and reference books, office and school supplies, stationery, St. Olaf clothing and accessories, Scandinavian gifts, insignia items, health and beauty aids, newspapers, magazines, computer hardware and software, and recorded music.

Services include special ordering, cap and gown rental, class ring orders, check cashing, gift cards, and photofinishing. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted at the St. Olaf Bookstore. Online ordering is available at: www.collegebookstore.org. Toll-free phone orders are also taken at: 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 Office

Students 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.