This information will be updated throughout the summer so check back for updates.
Testing and Auditions
Placement tests for Chemistry, Computer Science, French, German, Mathematics, and Spanish are online at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/aac/placement. If you have not taken any of the placement tests before arriving on campus, you must do so before 8:00a.m. Monday, Sept. 3rd. Public computers are available in the residence halls, Tomson Hall Atrium, Buntrock Commons Fireside Lounge, Rolvaag Memorial Library, and the Lions’ Pause Den. For additional information on placement tests, please contact Cheryl LaCroix, Academic Advising Center at x6797 or email lacroix@stolaf.edu.
Auditions for choral and instrumental music organizations will begin Saturday, September 1st, at 8 a.m. Auditioning students should have received notification of the time and place of their audition in a letter from the Department of Music.
Student Learning Assessment
http://www.stolaf.edu/offices/ir-e/assessment/
St. Olaf is a national leader in gathering specific evidence of students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes from the time they enter college to graduation and beyond. Faculty and staff use this evidence to make good decisions about curriculum requirements, course offerings, grading, advising, and student life, so students can get the most out of their St. Olaf experience.
In order to track your learning during your time at St. Olaf, we need to know where you are at the beginning of your college experience. All incoming first-year students are asked to complete an assessment activity prior to or during Week One, with different students randomly assigned to different activities. In 2012, some students will complete the on-line Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE), which will be available in mid-August and can be completed at a time of the student’s own choosing. The remainder will participate in the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA), which must be individually-scheduled and completed in a campus computer lab, and for which time has been set aside on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings during Week One. Watch your email for detailed information about your specific assessment activity and when and how to complete it.
Language Proficiency Tests
Students who have completed work in German, French or Spanish and who place into German/French/Spanish 251 through the placement exam may take the proficiency exam on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to Noon to determine if they have achieved a level of proficiency to allow them to “test out” of the foreign language graduation requirement. Those wishing to take the test in one of these three languages must register in the Foreign Language Offices in Tomson Hall, on or before Wednesday, Sept. 5. You will find out the location for the tests at this time. Proficiency tests in other foreign languages are administered only by special arrangement with the chair of the department concerned.
Name Tags and Student ID Cards
You will receive your nametag when you check in at your residence hall. Please wear your nametag at all times. It is your meal ID card until your permanent ID card is issued. It also provides a good way of getting to know your classmates, and it will admit you to many campus functions during your first week at St. Olaf.
Student ID pictures will be taken in Buntrock Commons Room 143 during Week One on opening day, Saturday, Sept. 1.
Please have this done at your earliest convenience according to your schedule.
Special note to Transfer Students
You will receive a more detailed outline of your schedule when you meet your transfer counselors at the transfer welcome on Sunday, September 2nd at 4:00 p.m. in the Buntrock Viking Theater. Your transfer counselors have been busy planning a schedule of activities that will assist you in your transition to St. Olaf College.
Meal Schedule (except where noted in schedule)
Meals are served in Stav Hall, Buntrock Commons at the following times:
Breakfast
7:00-9:45 a.m. (Monday-Saturday)
8:30 -10:15 a.m. (Sunday) Continental Breakfast
Lunch
10:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
11 a.m. -1:30 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday)
The Bag Lunch Line is open Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dinner
4:30-7 p.m. (Every day)
In addition, the Cage is open Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Bookstore Hours
While school is in session the St. Olaf Bookstore is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Convenience Store hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5-8:00 p.m. Saturday, and Noon-4:00 p.m. Sunday. Visit us day or night at www.stolafbookstore.com.
Week One Schedule: Saturday, September 1: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 2: Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, September 3: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 4: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 5: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m.
Information and Instructional Technologies (IIT)
The Information and Instructional Technologies Help Desk provides technology support for faculty, staff, and students. To start each academic year, the Help Desk’s primary role is assisting students connecting their personal devices to the St. Olaf network. If you have issues getting connected, please contact the IIT helpdesk via phone at x3830 or, through the use of a campus computer, via email at helpdesk@stolaf.edu. You can also submit your request via our new Web Help Desk system at https://help.stolaf.edu.
Week One Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 1: 8 a.m.-5:p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 2: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 3– Wednesday, Sept. 8: 8 a.m.-5: p.m.
Regular Hours:
Sunday: 1-9 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Chapel Schedule
10:10-10:30 a.m. (Mon/Wed/Fri)
11:10- 11:30 a.m. (Tues)
11:00-11:15 a.m. (Thurs)
Daily Chapel is a time of inspiration for body, mind, and spirit, a welcome harbor in a busy day. A variety of students, faculty, and staff speakers witness to their thoughtful faith and invite the community to join them. All are welcome!
Multiple Religious Groups
As a College of the Church, St. Olaf welcomes conversation and participation in many different faith traditions and Christian denominations. A wide spectrum of Christian organizations as well as groups from other religious traditions (e.g. Muslim Student Association, Jewish Student Organization, and others) meet throughout the year for fellowship, study and worship. For more information go to http://fusion.stolaf.edu/orgs/ and/or visit with the student leaders at the co-curricular fair on Friday, September 7, 5-7 p.m. on the Buntrock Plaza. The College Pastors’ office is available all year as a source of support and information for students of any religious tradition and faith practice.
Telephone/Voice Mail
The St. Olaf Telephone Office supports the campus telephone system. Please be sure to sign up for voice mail and collect your authorization code. Voice mail is an important tool on campus because it allows professors and staff members to leave you a voice mail message on your campus extension without making a long distance call to your cell phone. Your authorization code will allow you to make a long-distance call from your residence hall phone or any public campus phone.
The Telephone Office also has a public fax machine. Outgoing faxes are $1.25 for the first page and .50 for every additional page. Incoming faxes are $1.00 for the first page and .25 for each additional page. International faxes are $2.75 for the first page and $1.00 for every additional page.
If you experience telephone problems, contact by email: telecom@stolaf.edu or call x3041. Located in the Buntrock Commons in Room 052… just walk through the main Buntrock entrance, past the cash machines and through the double doors and down the long hallway. The Telephone Office is the first office on the right.
Hours: Move-In Day: In the Crossroads from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ; in First Year Residence Halls from 8 a.m.-noon; and in the Telephone Office, Buntrock Rm 052 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m..
Normal Business Hours:
Monday – Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.