In this edition:

1. Greetings from the Office of Student Activities!
2. Supporting Your Student’s Wellness This Spring
3. Making a Home in the Residence Halls
4. Community and Connection in the Academic Success Center
5. Parking Updates

Greetings from the Office of Student Activities!

Our team is excited about all that spring has to offer here on the Hill. Springtime brings some of our favorite St. Olaf traditions, exciting events, and (eventually) warmer weather accompanied by a peppering of Adirondack chairs and hammocks across the quad. Spring also presents another opportunity to build community and connection on campus for all students. It is never too late for your Ole to try something new or expand their social circle.

Don’t just take our word for it — ask our Oles! This fall, we asked the Class of 2028 a few questions about their sense of belonging and community on campus. Across the board, students who engage in campus life by attending social events and joining student organizations consistently reported feeling more connected on campus, feeling like a valued member of our community, and feeling like an Ole. Those students also reported an overall higher score on what we call our “belonging quotient,” a scale our team uses to assess the sense of belonging here on the Hill. These results tell us that social engagement matters to our holistic well-being, and our team is here to help students engage. 

As you connect with your student the next few months, here are three things we recommend you discuss:

1. Showing up matters – This is a big one and is often the first step to building connections on campus. The key, however, is really showing up. “Covert avoidance,” showing up physically but not mentally or socially, often leaves students feeling like their involvements (classes, organizations, ensembles, athletic teams, etc.) are a little hollow. Fully investing in their chosen activity or space is a great way to find connection and enjoyment in the spaces and activities they occupy.
2. Keep at it – If you only try to water ski once, you’re not likely to become a professional, right? The same is true for friendship. Showing up is important, but if you only go to one event or a meeting or two, connection is not likely to stick. When we chat with students about the importance of continually showing up, we talk about the idea of propinquity. In short, you are more likely to develop relationships with people you consistently spend time with. Our advice is to become a “regular” at campus events, with student organizations, or in social spaces across the Hill.
3. Be you – Oles are not Oles by accident. They are here, in no small part, because of who they are, and we encourage them to dive in. When it comes to building connections on the Hill, being authentic is key. We know that friendships don’t really happen randomly and making connections as adults can pose some challenges. It often takes a little initiative, and a great starting point for connections is extending a warm hello, inviting some to join in an activity or meal, and being yourself. Authenticity from others can help us develop deeper connections, so while it may seem daunting, take initiative and open the door!

If your Ole shares with you that they would like to get more involved or connected on campus, we invite you to direct them our way. Connection is what we do! Students can stop by our office in Buntrock Commons (next to the Post Office – look for the smell of popcorn!), contact our team directly, or set up a meeting with one of us.

Supporting Your Student’s Wellness This Spring

“New Year, New Me” takes on a whole new meaning for St. Olaf students! After the whirlwind of J-Term, with its intense academic schedule and exciting study abroad opportunities, spring offers students a chance to reset, recharge, and refocus for the remainder of the year.

Wellness plays a crucial role in your student’s success, both academically and socially. Prioritizing well-being helps students feel more balanced and connected, fostering a sense of belonging within the campus community. At the St. Olaf Wellness Center, students can access a wide range of resources, including Peer One-to-Ones, the Paw Program, and engaging presentations that explore various pillars of wellness. These resources encourage students to build connections, engage in self-care, and make wellness an integral part of their lives.

Ways to support your student this semester:

1. Attend a virtual Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training on February 6 or 20. This life-saving program equips participants with the skills to recognize the warning signs of suicide and take action to help someone in need. Sign up HERE.
2. Encourage Peer Support
   If your student is struggling, suggest they sign up for a Peer One-to-One session. Speaking with a trained peer educator can provide them with guidance, support, and strategies for managing stress or other challenges.

Spring is a time for growth, and wellness is at the heart of it. By encouraging your student to prioritize their well-being and utilizing the resources available, you can help them navigate this season with resilience and confidence. Together, let’s support their journey toward a healthy and fulfilling semester!

Making a Home in the Residence Halls

On-campus living is an integral component of a college experience and being on the Hill. Residence Life at St. Olaf continues to approach students in a meaningful way, striving to connect with students on their individual needs. The department has relaunched the residence hall leadership program transitioning to the Residence Hall Association model, which includes Hall Council. When communicating with your student please encourage them to utilize the resources offered.

Residence Life wants to hear from residents! In January, Residence Life also launched H.O.M.E., an opportunity for Residence Life to connect and talk with students with two components:

1. Housing Ambassador Assistants table at the main entry/front desk of residence halls, and residents who stop by the table are entered into a gift card drawing as a thank you for participating. The schedule of tabling sessions are in the Residence Life Weekly Update emails, and residents are reminded via email the day the event is being held in their residence hall.
2. Focus group discussion led by Residence Life professional staff. Participants in the focus group receive a late night snack of pizza and cookies.

Residents who are not able to stop by the display table or participate in the focus group and would like to share their housing experience (the good and bad) are encouraged to set up a conversation with Dean Medley by emailing housing@stolaf.edu.

Housing Selection is right around the corner for the 2025-26 academic school year. The housing application opened during J-Term. During the fall semester, Residence Life worked with students in regards to college exemptions and any off-campus housing that is permitted. Housing Informationals, Roommate Socials, and Room-Style Selection Days happen during the spring semester. If your student has any issues accessing the housing portal, they should email housing@stolaf.edu. More detailed information on the Housing Selection Process is forthcoming.

The department is always open to opportunities for collaborations and suggestions from parents and student supporters.

Community and Connection in the Academic Success Center

Active and engaged learning is one of the components associated with a student’s sense of belonging which often translates into stronger academic performance. The Academic Success Center has student-centered, accessible, inclusive services and resources that can help unlock the potential of every Ole. This past semester, more than 1,700 (over 50 percent) of the student body participated in Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions and/or met with an academic or writing tutor. Learning together with peers is a great way to feel connected on campus!

Parking Updates

The Public Safety team is seeking feedback from students about their campus parking experience. We conduct annual parking focus groups with the goal of continuously improving campus parking services. Focus groups will be held on March 11 and 13.