The Macalester Academic Excellence Center: The staff of the MAX Center works with students to improve the skills required for academic success including writing, math, and time management. The Center can also set up an manage a peer review process for writing assignments in your courses. Individual tutoring is available in some disciplines, and the Center can help with GRE, MCAT and LSAT preparation, and applications for graduate and professional schools.

If you believe that one of your students if off to such a poor start in a course that you doubt that he/she will be able to achieve a passing grade (C- or better) without intervention, as early as possible in the term please notify Ellen Guyer, the Dean of Academic Programs and the student's academic advisor, whom you can find in 1600Grand. This is especially important for first year students. You will also find it useful to talk with David Ehren or Becky Graham from the Macalester Academic Excellence Center about the student's difficulties and available assistance.

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Personal/Health Issues

Students with Disabilities

The Disabilities Services Office works with students who have physical, psychological, or learning disabilities which affect their academic or personal life at the College.

Students with physical or mental health problems

Health Services provides counseling, medical and health promotion services to students. There is no charge for appointments to see a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, counselor, or health educator at Health Services. Fees are charged for prescription medications, lab tests, immunizations, allergy injections, and some medical supplies or equipment. Students should call Health Services (x6275) to schedule an appointment.

Trouble with a roommate?

Residential Life, headed by Peg Olson (x6690) provides professional Hall Directors for each dorm, and who should be alerted when students are having problems in the residence halls that interfere with academic performance or quality of life.

Claims of sexual or racial harassment

When students feel they have been racially or sexually harassed by another student, or a staff or faculty member, they sometimes come first to a trusted faculty member to talk. If a student wishes to bring the matter to the College's attention, you can help by contacting the Dean of Students office (x6220) to find out the name of the designated grievance officer for the student's particular situation. Students who have been racially or sexually harassed are in a vulnerable position, and frequently need help sorting out complex emotions and conflicting goals. If you feel ill-equiped to deal with this, a number of staff members at Macalester have professional training in these matters and can assist you and the student. Call the Dean of Students' Office (x6220) to get a referral.

Sometimes students exhibit behaviors that indicate they are making unhealthy choices or may be overwhelmed or depressed or having problems with drugs or alcohol. Students may be abnormally disengaged or withdrawn, fatigued, or anxious. They may be hyper-emotional, excessively angry or aggressive. If you are concerned about a student, contact the Dean of Students, Jim Hoppe (x6220). hoppe@macalester.edu

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The Internship Office. The Twin Cities is a terrific place for students to learn and serve their community. Over 80% of Macalester students are involved in internships or community service before they graduate, and at any given time, 50% of our students are engaged in the community.

Internships can be arranged for academic credit, for experience or, in come cases, for student employment. The Internship Office has a planning form that must be completed in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and internship site supervisor. All parties must sign the form, and site supervisors are required to submit evaluations of student performance. The faculty advisor should visit the student's internship site at least once, work with the student to develop appropriate measures of learning, meet with the student frequently during the term, and assign a mid-term and final grade. Because internships can sometimes be difficult to evaluate using standard grading schemes, some faculty require that internship students select the "S-D-NC" grading option wherein an "S" signifies a passing grade (C- or better.) Common assignments include reflection in a daily journal, addressing a series of questions designed to promote deep understanding of the internship site, and/or final reflection papers.

The Civic Engagement Center is dedicated to promoting service to the community as a lifelong commitment of Macalester graduates. They offer opportunities for engagement in many different kinds of organizations locally, nationally and internationally. They coordinate awards for student leadership in this area, and encourage faculty to apply their scholarly training to community problems and incorporate community engagement into their courses.

The International Center provides assistance to students wishing to find an appropriate study abroad opportunity. Students should contact Paul Nelson to set up an appointment.

In order for students to have a positive experience at Macalester, in addition to academic success, they have to feel that they "fit" or belong in this community. For many students, this sense of belonging comes through association with other Macalester students in student organizations, sports teams, religious groups, or other groups where students share common goals, values, backgrounds, or interests. You can refer students to the Student Organizations Webpage, which offers a wealth of information on the many student activities at Macalester. Students can also be encouraged to talk with Assistant Dean of Students Irene Kao about their interests. Students of color may be interested in talking with Karla Benson in the Lealtad Suzuki Center, Macalester's center for multicultural life.

The Student Handbook is a rich source of information for you and your students on a wide variety of topics related to College services, academics, community standards and policies, and residential life.