St. Olaf College believes that the professor in the classroom and in conference should encourage free discussion, inquiry and expression. It believes further that student performance should be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
Students are free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled.
Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. But if they believe that they have been subject to prejudice or capricious academic evaluation, they have the right to appeal to the chair of the department or to the Associate Dean of the Faculty of which the professor is a member. In cases where this is not satisfactory, to the Dean of the College.
Private information about student views, beliefs and political associations that professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisers and counselors is considered confidential.
Judgments of ability and character will be provided under appropriate circumstances with the knowledge or consent, expressed or implied, of the student.
St. Olaf College believes that protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation. The faculty attempts to be constantly alert and sensitive to the problem of improper disclosure.