Ole Loop Community
The Ole Loop Community is comprised of College-owned houses that will be utilized for Student placements when required due to residential occupancy. Ole loop is designed to enhance your college experience by offering a perfect blend of convenience, community and comfort. Each space is thoughtfully equipped to meet the needs of students, providing an ideal space for studying and socializing.
The Ole Loop Community consists of the following College-Owned Houses on the Perimeter of campus:
- Johnson House
- Porter House
- Rose House
- Wilkens House
Housing information
Students are expected to respect the community property, abide by Northfield City Laws and Ordinance, and the Good Neighbor Expectations.
Ole Loop Community: 2026–2027 Official Vehicle & Parking Guidelines
Driveway parking is available at each house for resident and guest use, subject to strict compliance with the following regulations. All residents’ ability to park in the houses’ designated driveway is not guaranteed. On-campus parking is available for all residents who display the appropriate St. Olaf Parking Permit. All students must formally apply for and receive a parking permit through Public Safety. Unauthorized or non-compliant vehicles are subject to immediate citation, fines, or towing.
Required Permit Requirements:
- Residents: Every resident with a vehicle must obtain a Commuter Parking Permit via Public Safety. Operating a vehicle without a valid permit is a violation of campus policy.
- Non-Ole Loop Community Residents: Student at St. Olaf who are not assigned to a Ole Loop Community house must park their cars in the parking lot designated for their assigned parking permit.
- Guests: All visitors must be formally registered as an Approved Overnight Guest to qualify for an Overnight Guest Permit. Unregistered guest vehicles will be penalized.
Authorized Parking Locations:
- House Driveways: Permitted only if the vehicle remains entirely on the paved surface.
- St. Olaf Parking Lots: Permitted exclusively in the specific lots authorized by your assigned permit.
- City Streets: Permitted only where explicit city signage allows, subject to seasonal restrictions.
- In accordance with Northfield City Ordinance, street parking is absolutely prohibited from November 15 through March 15 between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Violators will be ticketed and towed by the city.
Lawn & Grass Protection Policy
- Driving or parking on the grass at the Ole Loop Houses is strictly prohibited.
- This regulation strictly enforces Northfield City Ordinances to prevent property damage and eliminate unnecessary lawn maintenance expenditures.
- Violations will result in disciplinary action and damage fees.
Mandatory Driveway Clearance & Inclement Weather Policy:
- When inclement weather or maintenance requires driveways to be cleared, compliance with relocation timelines is mandatory.
- Mandatory Relocation: Residents must immediately relocate vehicles to the designated parking lots specified in official College communications. This must be completed within the stated timeframe.
- Immediate Towing: Any vehicle remaining in a driveway during a clearance window will be towed immediately at the owner’s expense.
- Return Authorization: Vehicles may only return to the driveways after clearing operations are completely finished and explicit approval is issued by the College.
All residents should familiarize themselves with Northfield Street Parking Ordinances before living in the Ole Loop community.
Students living in Ole Loop Community are eligible for the 10 meal plan option.
Students can view all plan options on the Meal Plan Options webpage
Limited furniture is provided by the College at the Ole Loop
Bedroom
The following items are provided:
- Twin XL Mattress
- Bed frame and Bed Springs
The following items are not provided:
- Lofting and bunking
- Room Desks/Chairs
Living Room
No soft seating/living room furniture is provided by the College.
Kitchen
The following items are provided:
- Table
- Chairs (2 to 4 depending on apartment size)
Amenities included for students include:
- High speed internet
- In-unit Washers and Dryers
- Water, Gas, Electricity are provided free of charge by St. Olaf College
- Trash and recycling services
- Snow Removal
- Groundskeeping
Students are responsible for their own amenities including (but not limited to):
- Shower Curtains
- Cleaning Supplies
- Toilet Paper
- Kitchenwares
Transportation is not provided to students by the College. Students should plan their transportation accordingly (i.e., driving, busline, biking, walking).
Students should have their mail delivered on-campus at the Campus Post Office.
Students can deliver mail and packages to their campus mailbox at:
Student Name
1520 St. Olaf Ave
Northfield, MN 55057
Looking to drive to your Ole Loop House or have food delivered, use the addresses below for each house:
Johnson House
1110 St. Olaf Ave
Northfield, MN 55057
Porter House
1117 2nd St W
Northfield, MN 55057
Rose House
1104 1st St W
Northfield, MN 55057
Wilkens House
1111 W 2nd St.
Northfield, MN 55057
- Residence Life Professional Staff on-call will respond and provide support.
- Northfield Police will be first responders for emergency response.
- Public Safety will support Residence Life and Northfield Police when requested.
- Residence Life Staff will be conducting monthly Health & Safety inspections within the Ole Loop community.
Students should report any maintenance needs through the on-campus work order system.
Custodial Services will not provide regular services in the Ole Loop Community. All students living in the Ole Loop Community are responsible for the general cleaning and upkeep of their apartment space.
The Ole Loop Community houses are cleaned by St. Olaf Custodial staff throughout the academic year. The timeframe for cleaning on any designated date is between 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The schedule is listed below:
| House | Cleaning Dates |
| Johnson | 10/27/26, 12/1/26, 1/19/27, 2/23/27, 3/30/27 |
| Rose Porter Wilkens | 10/27/26, 12/1/26, 1/19/27, 2/23/27, 3/30/27 |
Residents at the Ole Loop will pay room and board fees to their student accounts. All Residents of the Ole Loop will be charged the general comprehensive St. Olaf room & board fees.
Good Neighbor Expectations
The St. Olaf College Residence Life Good Neighbor Expectations consists of guidelines and agreements designed to help the College’s residents and develop a positive relationship with their fellow residents, neighbors, and the greater Northfield community in which they live. Residents are expected to follow the Good Neighbor Expectations as a requirement of their Agreement. Residence Life will assist and support residents in achieving the Good Neighbor objectives.
St. Olaf College Students living at any Ole Loop location within a managed Residence Life space are residents within an integrated community. As a member of the location, the College and Residents must value and respect the relationship that exists between all parties. Students are expected to keep noise levels to a respectful level during daytime and evening hours, participate in keeping the grounds and building well-maintained, and ensure guests adhere to on-site and local area parking rules and regulations.
Residence Life supports student’s personal responsibility in addressing interpersonal disagreements within their communal spaces. It is important for residents to ackowledge the difference this may present in an integrated community. Issues/concerns with a non-St. Olaf College student that are not an emergency should be brought to the attention of Residence Life for it to be formally addressed. In all instances, strive for open and honest communication.
Students should be active members of their community. Maintain cleanliness of all common areas, dispose of trash and recycling on a weekly basis, attend all mandatory residential meetings, participate in onsite trainings, and participate in community safety and emergency preparedness plans.
Residence Life may conduct monthly Health & Safety Inspections during the following months:
- October
- November
- December
- February
- March
- April
- Northfield City Ordinance Chapter 50, Section 90, states that any disruptive noise between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am can be deemed a misdemeanor offense.
- Residence Life Policy states that Courtesy Hours are in place 24-hours a day.
- Residents in Ole Loop should be aware of the noise levels in all public spaces, including: hallways, stairwells, and residential spaces to not disturb neighbors.
- Students wanting to report any noise issues that need to be addressed are encouraged to call the non-emergency Northfield Police number (507-645-8833). In case of emergency, students should call 911.
- All residents will follow the pet guidelines as outlined in the Residence Life Housing Policies and Procedures.
- Students are allowed Fish within a 15-gallon tank are permitted in Ole Loop housing.
- Service Animals and ESA animals will follow the guidelines as proscribed by the Disability and Access & Residence Life Offices.
- Residents may not keep animals or pets, including no visiting animals or “pet sitting,” in Ole Loop Housing spaces.
Residents will adhere to all posted parking regulations and engage in good neighbor practices regarding parking on or around the Ole Loop properties. Vehicles should be parked in approved parking spots, garages, and/or driveways only. Resident’s vehicle should not negatively impact a neighbor’s access.
All Residents are responsible for guests invited into their building and assigned residential space.