What is Service: Neighbors with Neighbors Program?
Students in the final year of college can apply for off-campus housing release through the Service: Neighbors with Neighbors program. The initiative is a collaboration between Residence Life and the Svoboda Center for Civic Engagement. The program creates a synergy between the values of residential housing and community-based independent living.
Until a student receives and accepts approval to the program all questions should be directed to housing@stolaf.edu.
Eligibility
- Anticipated Graduation Date must be Class of 2027.
- Be enrolled with an academic schedule at the college.
- Have no open student conduct sanctions during the application period (or thereafter).
- Students may be required to return on-campus housing if a sanction occurs during the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Be accepted and committed to the tenets of the Service: Neighbors with Neighbors program.
Requirements
Trainings, Meetings, and Reflection
- February: “Introduction to Neighbors with Neighbors” meeting with the Svoboda Center and Residence Life.
- April: Orientation session and 1:1 meeting with Svoboda Center to formalize service plan.
- September: Check in with the Svoboda Center on the service plan
- December: Mid-year reflection/assessment
- May: End-of-year reflection/assessment
- Other meetings/focus groups as requested
Community Service
- Complete a minimum of 4 hours of service per month for a total of at least 32 hours for the academic year. Required service months are: September, October, November, December, February, March, April and May.
- Complete service with a site/organization in Rice County; students should commit to regular and ongoing service with the site/organization. Service might take place in/involve the broader community; on-campus service involving only the St. Olaf community does not count toward hours requirements.
- Students who do not complete and report at least 4 hours of service per month or complete other program requirements will be charged for on-campus room and board and will become ineligible for the program.
Timeline
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| December 4 | Service: Neighbors with Neighbors Program Application Opens
Information Session 1 (Virtual Link) at 4:30 p.m. |
| December 8 | Informational Session 11 – Ytterboe Main Lounge at 4:30 p.m. |
| December 9 | Service: Neighbors with Neighbors Program Application Closes |
| December 17 | Final application decisions communicated via St. Olaf Email account |
| January 9 | Students approved must accept the Service: Neighbors with Neighbors Program Approval |
| March 5 |
|
Application Process
Terms of Agreement
- Approvals are only granted on an AY basis (no automatic renewal)
- A student provided an exemption may be rescinded if the student’s behavior at the college or off-campus is that which does not positively reflect on the college, e.g. noise complaints, vandalism, mismanagement of alcohol.
- An off-campus housing contract is between the student and the landlord solely.
- Students are responsible for maintaining an accurate physical address with Residence Life and the Registrar’s Office.
- The address is used by the Financial Aid Office.
- The address is shared with the Dean of Students & Northfield City Administration.