ST. OLAF COLLEGE MISSION St. Olaf, a four-year college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, provides an education committed to the liberal arts, rooted in the Christian gospel, and incorporating a global perspective. In the conviction that life is more than a livelihood, it focuses on what is ultimately worthwhile and fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit. Now in its second century, St. Olaf College remains dedicated to the high standards set by its Norwegian immigrant founders. In the spirit of free inquiry and free expression, it offers a distinctive environment that integrates teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and opportunities for encounter with the Christian Gospel and God s call to faith. The college intends that its graduates combine academic excellence and theological literacy with a commitment to lifelong learning. St. Olaf College strives to be an inclusive community, respecting those of differing backgrounds and beliefs. Through its curriculum, campus life, and off-campus programs, it stimulates students critical thinking and heightens their moral sensitivity; it encourages them to be seekers of truth, leading lives of unselfish service to others; and it challenges them to be responsible and knowledgeable citizens of the world. 1-1
ST. OLAF COLLEGE Division of Student Life Mission Statement The Division of Student Life participates in the total educational mission of the College. The Division s commitment is to the intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, and physical development of students. The Division provides programs and services which recognize the uniqueness and individual differences of each student and promote a holistic development through the college experience. In this effort, a specific aim is to help students develop self-direction, fulfillment, and the ability to achieve goals. In carrying out this mission, Student Life Staff work closely with the entire St. Olaf community to promote a purposeful, coherent, and cohesive support program for the College. STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY ON DIVERSITY adopted Spring 2000 The primary responsibility of the Division of Student Life is to provide programs and services that foster the whole development of students intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally. An integral part of this holistic development is an academic learning community, which includes the value of diversity as a reflection of its role in contributing to a global society. Our role as student affairs practitioners is to assist in the development of diversity competence in all students. These efforts augment the classroom instruction and experiential opportunities designed to broaden their multicultural knowledge, and appreciation for individual and group differences. For students to identify with and feel a commitment to this campus, they need to feel accepted and valued. Therefore, we as members of the Division of Student Life must respect differences in gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, abilities and disabilities, religions and political beliefs, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation. We must provide equal and exceptional service to all students while considering the unique needs of each. As a community rooted in the Christian faith, we recognize that each person contributes unique talents and abilities that enrich all of us. Based on our college s Christian heritage, it is our moral responsibility to support and accept all members of our community. We should embrace our role as a division of this college of the church to support the diversity of students and other members of the St. Olaf community. 1-2
ST. OLAF COLLEGE Office of Residence Life Mission Statement The Office of Residence Life is committed to promoting student learning in a safe and secure living environment. We encourage and support: community responsibility; development of leadership skills and social confidence; respect for others; and healthy, balanced lifestyles. In collaboration with our colleagues across campus, we strive to connect inclass and out-of-class experiences to foster individual growth. 1-3
VALUES FOR THE ST. OLAF COLLEGE WORKPLACE All people in the St. Olaf College community are valued. As stewards of St. Olaf s tradition of achievement and excellence, members of the community strive to uphold its academic mission to provide an education committed to the liberal arts, rooted in the Christian Gospel, and incorporating a global perspective. The following values and aspirations guide our lives and work in this community: Life-Long Learning Central to the College s activities are the education and development of students for a life of learning and service. Learning and education demand open communication, free expression, and the pursuit of truth. The continued training and professional growth of all members in the community are indispensable to the accomplishment of these goals. Collegiality The vitality and growth of St. Olaf depend upon a willingness to trust and participate, to accept new challenges imaginatively, to take risks, and to innovate. Such a community requires respectful, supportive, cooperative, and caring relationships. Diversity St. Olaf welcomes people of diverse backgrounds, opinions, and beliefs. We respect the dignity of each person and are considerate of other cultures. Integrity Institutional honesty requires fair, just, and equitable treatment; similarly, individual honesty is essential to the performance of our duties and in our relations with each other and those we serve. Stewardship The human resources of the college are valued and their health, goodwill, and safety attended to wisely. To attain excellence in performance, members of the community need to know what is expected of them and be provided the resources to fulfill their responsibilities. The physical and financial assets of the College are to be used responsibly and prudently with care for the aesthetics, environment, facilities, and equipment of the campus and workplace. 1-4
THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF ST. OLAF COLLEGE A group of pioneer pastors, farmers, and businessmen in Rice, Dakota, and Goodhue counties, under the leadership of the Rev. Bernt Julius Muus, the Rev. N.A. Quammen, and Harald Thorson, laid the groundwork for the college's founding in 1874. The purpose of the school, then as now, was to offer a program of liberal studies to students preparing for careers in business, politics, the clergy, and other professions. In choosing a name for the institution, the founders responded to strong Norwegian nationalas well as religious symbolism; it grew out of a celebration in the Norwegian immigrant community of the splendor of the Nordic middle ages as a means of defining ethnic merits and identity. They named the school after Olav II Haraldson (spelled Olaf in the 19th century) king of Norway from 1016 until 1030; his martyrdom on July 29, 1030, at the Battle of Stikle-stad, close to Pastor Muus's own place of birth, made him Norway's patron saint and eternal king; it secured a national monarchy and the position of the Christian church in that country. St. Olaf's School was operated as an academy until 1886, when a college department was added. The name was changed to St. Olaf College in 1889. The first college class was graduated in 1890. The academy was discontinued in 1917. Affiliated with the Lutheran Church throughout its history, St. Olaf is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In 1900, the college department of the United Church Seminary was consolidated with St. Olaf, and in 1917 the college department of Red Wing Seminary was merged with St. Olaf. Many influences have combined to make St. Olaf what it is today. Dedicated faculty members have contributed to its academic reputation. Originating in the Norwegian immigrant desire for higher learning, the college has made a significant contribution to American liberal arts education while maintaining an academic center with a strong program for the study of Scandinavian culture. The rich St. Olaf tradition in music has gained worldwide renown for the college through its choirs and instrumental organizations. Since 1874 the college has had nine presidents: the Rev. Thorbjorn N. Mohn, who was first the principal of St. Olaf's School and then the president of St. Olaf College until 1899; John N. Kildahl, 1899-1914; Lauritz A. Vigness, 1914-1918; Lars W. Boe, 1918-1942; Clemens M. Granskou, 1943-1963; Sidney A. Rand, 1963-1980; Harlan F. Foss, 1980-1985; Melvin D. George, 1985-1994; Mark U. Edwards Jr., 1994-2000, Christopher M. Thomforde, 2001-2006, and David R. Anderson, 2006-present. [St. Olaf College Academic Catalog] 1-5
PRIDE STATEMENT In May of 2013 the Student Government Association adopted a statement known as the PRIDE statement. It states: As an Ole, I will practice Passion for learning and pursuit of vocation, Respect for the worth and dignity of all people, Integrity at all times, in all circumstances, Dedication to a life of service, and Engagement with my community and the world. 1-6