Hello!

St. Olaf students come from many different backgrounds, creating an environment full of engaging and meaningful discussions. Therefore, we would like to give you a chance to engage in these conversations during orientation via the Common Read. The Common Read program is a program that hundreds of colleges and universities use with their incoming new students every fall. At St. Olaf, the Common Read introduces first-year students to areas of equity and inclusion that you can integrate in your social and academic life, provides a common experience for all first-year students while strengthening your sense of belonging from the first day on campus, and presents intentional ways of thinking across disciplines, experiences, and strengths. 

This fall’s Common Read is Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret by Catherine Coleman Flowers. Please plan to read this book over the summer and engage in discussions about the book during your first week on campus this fall. Visit the Common Read website to learn more about Catherine Coleman Flowers and her book.

Students will receive a copy of the book in the mail over the summer. For students currently residing outside the U.S., they will receive a link to the e-book and then a physical copy of the book when they arrive on campus.

Learn more about the Common Read!

This Week’s To-Dos:

1. Submit your student ID photo! Guidelines for photo submissions can be found online.
2. If you have not done so, finalize Financial Aid Materials – due June 30
3. Complete your Placement Surveys no later than July 1 – refer to your New Student Checklist for details around which surveys you need to take. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to registrar@stolaf.edu.