Parent Handbook
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome to the Macalester extended family and congratulations on your son’s or daughter’s acceptance to Macalester College.
Whether this is your first or fourth to go off to college, it is a big step full of promise and challenge. The information found in this Parent Handbook is intended to tell you more about Macalester and help you prepare for your student’s undergraduate experience. All of the information you will receive this summer and in subsequent years is designed to support the relationship between you, your student and the College.
I hope you will be able to join us for the New Student and Parent Orientation in August. Orientation provides an opportunity for more in-depth information and a chance to connect faces with the Macalester names you will be hearing about in the next four years.
Another opportunity for you to learn more about Macalester and your student’s experience with the College is Family Fest weekend. The 2008 Family Fest celebration is October 3-5. This year Diversity Weekend and International Roundtable will occur in conjunction with Family Fest.
Again, welcome. Please do not hesitate to call if you have questions throughout the summer months. I look forward to meeting you and talking with you during your student’s undergraduate experience.
Sincerely,
Laurie Hamre Jim Hoppe
Vice President for Student Affairs Dean of Students
651-696-6220 651-696-6220
hamre@macalester.edu hoppe@macalester.edu
PARENT HANDBOOK CONTENTS
How to Reach Your Student
Keeping in Touch
Care Package Ideas
College Statement
Academic Policies and Resources
Grading System and Records
Academic Advising and Support
Study Abroad Program
Student Life and Services
Campus Center and Conferences
Campus Life (Campus Programs, Residential Life)
Career Development Center
Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
Civic Engagement Center
Disability Services
Health Services (Medical, Counseling, Health Promotion)
Insurance
Internship Office
Lealtad-Suzuki Center/Department of Multicultural Life
Safety and Security
Financing a Macalester Education
Orientation 2008
Tentative Parent Orientation Schedule
Visiting Campus and Family Fest 2008
Area Resources (Motels, Florists, Gifts, Pharmacies)
2008-2009
College Calendar
HOW TO REACH YOUR STUDENT
Telephone
Students living on campus
You can reach your student in his/her residence hall room by dialing 651-696-XXXX from off-campus, or using the final four-digits from an on-campus location. Each student living on campus has a telephone in their room with voicemail capabilities. The Macalester operator at 651-696-6000 can connect you with your student’s room during business hours. An automated telephone directory is accessible after hours.
Students living off campus
Unfortunately, the college may not have a current phone number for students living off-campus. If your student lives off campus you may wish to remind them to update their current number at the Registrar’s Office: 651-696-6200.
Many students have a personal cellular telephone; record your student’s number and possibly a roommate’s or friend’s number(s).
In Case of Emergency
Between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST call the Office of Students Affairs (651-696-6220). We will locate your son or daughter and have them return a call as soon as possible. After hours call the 24-hour Campus Security Officer (651-696-6555).
Fax Machine
There is a fax machine available to students to both send and receive at the Info Desk in the Campus Center. The charge is $1/page to either send or receive (domestic). Faxes received internationally may cost more. The fax number is 651-696-6860. Be sure and include a cover sheet with the student’s name and phone number (if available).
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Mail
The address for all U.S. Mail and UPS is the same for everyone at Mac.
Student’s Name
Macalester College
1600 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
Students have an individual mailbox in the Campus Center. It is not necessary to write the student’s residence hall room number of individual post office box number on the item you are sending.
E-Mail
All Macalester students, faculty and staff have their own e-mail address. Faculty and staff addresses are available online at www.macalester.edu.
Keeping in touch . . . A challenge of this new phase is feeling connected to your student as he or she moves towards independence. To assist in this transition, various offices distribute publications designed to connect you to life at Macalester. Parent Link, a quarterly on-line publication that provides parents with current information related to student life and College policies. This is available at www.macalester.edu/parents. Macalester Today is an alumni magazine that features personal profiles and other campus news that will keep you informed about many of the things happening on campus, as well as the interests and activities of Mac alumni.
We also encourage you to frequently visit our web site at www.macalester.edu for up-to-date information on campus events, organizations and other campus news.
Your own attempts to keep the lines of communication open with your student are critical. Part of college student’s daily ritual is the trip to the mailbox, affectionately known as the SPO – Student Post Office. Receiving mail is always welcome and a huge day brightener!
Clippings from your hometown newspaper, an old favorite cartoon strip, a funny greeting card – whatever strikes your fancy – send it! The message that you’re thinking of them far outweighs the actual value of what you’ve sent.
E-mail is a popular way to stay in touch; the best thing about it is that you can erase your words before you send them if you find you’ve given too much advice or are falling too far into old parenting patterns!
Lastly, never underestimate the power of a care package! Treats from home that your child can share around his/her floor are an excellent way to help him/her make new friends.
Care Package Ideas
Bon Appetit, our on-campus catering provider, offers cakes, cookies or bars for any occasion. For pricing information and/or to place an order contact Deb Novotny at 651-696-6313 or e-mail her at dnovotny@cafebonappetit.com. Bon Appetit will deliver your order to the Info Desk in the Campus Center where your student or a friend (for a surprise!) can pick it up. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
Gift certificates for movies from Blockbuster, preloaded gift cards from Caribou Coffee, Jamba Juice, Whole Foods, Target are just a few favorites.
COLLEGE STATEMENT
Macalester is committed to being a preeminent liberal arts college with an educational program
known for its high standards for scholarship and its special emphasis on internationalism, multiculturalism and service to society.
Statement of Purpose and Belief
At Macalester College we believe that education is a fundamentally transforming experience. As a community of learners, the possibilities for this personal, social and intellectual transformation extend to us all. We affirm the importance of the intellectual growth of the students, staff and faculty through individual and collaborative endeavor. We believe that this can best be achieved through an environment that values the diverse cultures of our world and recognizes our responsibility to provide a supportive and respectful environment for students, staff and faculty of all cultures and backgrounds.
We expect students to develop a broad understanding of the liberal arts while they are at Macalester. Students should follow a primary course of study in order to acquire an understanding of disciplinary theory and methodology; they should be able to apply their understanding of theories to address problems in the larger community. Students should develop the ability to use information and communication resources effectively, be adept at critical, analytical and logical thinking and express themselves well in both oral and written forms. Finally, students should be prepared to take responsibility for their personal, social and intellectual choices.
We believe that the benefit of the educational experience at Macalester is the development of individuals who make informed judgments and interpretations of the broader world around them and choose actions or beliefs for which they are willing to be held accountable. We expect them to develop the ability to seek and pursue knowledge and experience in contexts that challenge and inform their suppositions about the world. We are committed to helping students grow intellectually and personally within an environment that models and promotes academic excellence and ethical behavior. The education a student begins at Macalester provides the basis for continuous transformation through learning and service.
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND RESOURCES
Academic Integrity
Macalester expects academic honesty from all members of the community. Academic honesty encompasses accurate portrayal of contributions and appropriate use of resources. Students are bound by the policies and procedures written in the Catalog at the time of matriculation or readmission.
Requirements for Graduation
Credit Hours: Students are required to complete 128 hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in order to graduate. The majority of Macalester courses are four semester hours, so in order to graduate in four years, students need 32 semester hours per academic year. Most students take 16 semester hours in each term. To be a full-time student, students must register for at least 12 semester hours, but students may take up to 18 hours without being charged additional tuition.
First Year Course: All first year students must, in their first semester, take one course designated as a First Year Course. These courses carry the same credit as other courses and will be one of the four courses students take in their first term.
Distribution Requirements: One of the most important aspects of a liberal arts education is the breadth of study required. The distribution requirements are designed to ensure that students take courses in each of the four academic divisions of the College during their four years. These divisions are: Social Studies, Natural Science and Mathematics, Humanities and Fine Arts.
Diversity Courses: Students need four semester credits of both a U.S. Multiculturalism course and an Internationalism course. Courses designated as satisfying the Internationalism requirement address the literacy, cultural, political, historical, artistic or religious heritage of a country, region or culture outside the U.S., while courses meeting the U.S. Multiculturalism requirement address these topics for cultural groups living within the U.S. Students should consult the catalog or the Registrar’s web page for listings of courses that satisfy these requirements.
Second Language Proficiency: All students must demonstrate proficiency in a second language equivalent to four semesters of college level study in a single language. This proficiency extends to all skill areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Major Concentration: The final graduation requirement is the completion of a major concentration. Students are not required to declare a major until the second semester of their sophomore year.
Grading System
Macalester professors use the A, B, C, D (with + and -), and NC (no credit) grading system. Students have the option of taking one course each semester on the S (satisfactory), D, NC grading system. The latter system, however, cannot be used for courses in a student’s major area of concentration. Students may request that a professor provide a written evaluation.
First year and second year students receive grades at mid-term and at the end of each semester. All other students receive grades at the end of fall and spring terms. Mid-term grades are used for counseling purposes only, and are not sent to parents.
The college monitors the academic performance of every student in order to offer support and services to those students who are not making satisfactory academic progress. Students are expected to earn their degree within a four-year period. The academic record of every student is reviewed at the end of each semester by the Academic Standing Committee. As a result of this committee’s review of student records, a student may be placed on academic warning, probation or strict probation. In addition, the Academic Standing Committee may decide that a student has not met the terms of the probationary status or is not making sufficient progress towards a degree and may suspend a student for one or more terms. Finally, a student may be subject to dismissal from the College whenever, in the view of the Committee, the student’s level of scholarship is so low as to make the completion of a Macalester degree unlikely.
A = 4.0 B = 3.0 C = 2.0 D = 1.0 NC = 0.0
A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 C+ = 2.3 D+ = 1.3
B- = 2.7 C- = 1.7 D- = 0.7
The Dean’s List
Students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.7 for a semester are placed on the Dean’s List. In order to be placed on the Dean’s List, students must be full-time and registered in a minimum of 12 credits of graded courses.
Student Records
Jayne Niemi, Registrar (651-696-6200)
Macalester College seeks to ensure the privacy of its students and abides by the Federal and State regulations pertaining to student privacy. The College is guided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If you are interested in obtaining your student’s grades, please discuss this with your son or daughter. (S)he can give you their password to access their academic record found on the web. If parents want to receive a paper copy of the student record, the student must go into the Registrar’s office and sign a waiver requesting the record be sent to their parents or guardians.
For more information regarding the FERPA laws visit: www.ed.gov and enter FERPA in the search box.
The Office of the Registrar and Student Academic Records is responsible for class scheduling, maintenance of academic records for all students and the collection and dissemination of certain institutional data. In addition, the office administers all student registrations; processes changes of course registration and grading options; publishes fall and spring final examination schedules; endorses teacher licensure applications; evaluates transfer credits; acts upon applications from students not seeking a degree from Macalester; issues of transcripts and statements certifying full-time attendance and/or good academic standing; and certifies to the faculty those students eligible for graduation.
ACADEMIC ADVISING AND SUPPORT
Academic Advising/First-Year Courses
Academic Programs Office (651-696-6036)
Each student has one faculty member designated as his/her primary adviser. The primary adviser is responsible for monitoring the progress of the student through his/her career at Macalester and for helping the student to integrate his/her academic interests with other interests in a unified, coherent manner. First year students are required to take a First Year Course in their first semester. Enrollment in these courses is limited to sixteen entering first year students and the instructor is the academic adviser for the students in that class. The purpose of the requirement is to provide entering students with an interactive academic experience where attention is paid to the development of skills critical to success at Macalester.
Students are encouraged to change advisers to someone in their primary academic area of interest at the end of the second year. Change-of-adviser forms are available from the Academic Programs office. Academic advisers are not expected to be personal counselors but are alert to situations where referrals should be made to other appropriate offices.
Academic Support Services
Dave Ehren, Director (651-696-6121)
The Macalester Academic Excellence (MAX) Center, which is staffed by three professional counselors and a cadre of student tutors, provides support to students at all levels of attainment in a broad range of academic skills. Programs are available to develop reading speed, reading accuracy, critical reading and thinking, vocabulary, writing and understanding of mathematical and scientific concepts. Students are especially encouraged to come for help in general learning skills, note taking strategies and time management.
The MAX Center services are free of charge and located in Kagin Commons, first floor.
Study Abroad Program
Paula Paul-Wagner, Assistant Director of International Center (651-696-6300)
One of the most profound educational experiences Macalester offers is the opportunity to participate in off-campus study programs. Whether studying abroad or elsewhere in the U.S., students can learn first hand about the world beyond campus through immersion in a different setting, language, culture and socio-economic context. Off campus study often encourages learning through new ways of thinking and acting and provides a unique opportunity to discover the relationship between academic study and the world outside of the academy.
Macalester recommends off-campus study for one semester, but participation in academic year, summer or January programs, subject to the criteria outlined in the Macalester Off-Campus Study Handbook (available from the International Center), is also possible. All students desiring to study on an off-campus program during the academic year must propose such study to the Study Away Review Committee the semester prior to participation in the program. The staff in the International Center will assist students in selecting programs and understanding the application process.
STUDENT LIFE AND SERVICES
The time students spend outside the classroom is as important as their time inside the classroom. At Macalester, we place great emphasis on helping the student use this time as an educational resource. It’s a time for students to grow as individuals, to develop greater independence, and to learn to exercise greater responsibility toward others, both within and outside the college. At Macalester we support our philosophy by providing programs and activities that encourage the balance of individuality and responsibility -- or, to put it another way, independence and interdependence.
Office of Student Affairs (651-696-6220)
Laurie Hamre, Vice President for Student Affairs
Jim Hoppe, Dean of Students
TBA, Associate Dean of Students and Coordinator for Disability Student Services
Pat Traynor, Executive Assistant
This office is responsible for student life outside the classroom. If you have any questions about your student’s experience, this office is a good place to start. The Dean oversees discipline and judicial processes and helps students and parents interpret College processes and regulations.
Campus Center & Conferences (651-696-6644)
Cindy Haarstad, Director
Chris Baxter, Assistant Director
Onenee Saloka, Card Services Manager
Jon Bruns, Information Desk & Reservations Manager
Will Young, Operations Manager
Melanie LaBrasseur, Department Coordinator for Campus Life & Campus Center
The Ruth Dayton Stricker Campus Center serves as the living room of the Macalester campus. In addition to housing Bon Appetit, Café Mac and the Grille, students, faculty and staff frequently visit the building for the Highlander Store, photocopying and for mail services. A variety of meeting rooms ranging from small board rooms to a large lecture hall offer ample opportunities for the community to come together both in formal conferences, as well as informal spaces such as the second floor atrium, television lounge and lower level lounge, ideal for impromptu get-togethers.
Campus Center Information Desk & Campus Lost & Found (651-696-6888)
The Information Desk is a hub for many activities on campus and houses the campus lost and found. All deliveries of cakes, flowers and other local deliveries are held for students at the Info Desk. Students can purchase bus tickets, reduced price movie tickets and are able to transfer money from cash, check or credit card onto their campus ID cards ($5 minimum). A check-out program for laptop computers to be used in the Campus Center building is also managed from the Info Desk. There is a fax machine available for student use (domestic - $1/page) for both sending and receiving.
In addition, the Operations/Reservations oversees internal campus reservations for student groups, faculty and staff.
Highlander Store (651-696-6688)
Eileen Davison, Store Manager
The Highlander Store sells a variety of convenience items, as well as Macalester gifts. If you are looking for Macalester t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, key chains and more, the Highlander is the place to go. You can also check us out online at www.macalestercollegestore.com or visit us on the lower level of the Campus Center.
Campus Life
Keith Edwards, Director
Robin Hart Ruthenbeck, Associate Director for Campus Programs
Peg Olson, Associate Director for Residential Life
Sylvester Gaskin, Assistant Director for Campus Programs for Multicultural Life
Allison Greenlee, Assistant Director for Campus Programs
Cheryl Field, Leadership and Student Involvement Graduate Assistant
Charles Greene, Hall Director
Joe Kaufman, Hall Director
Michael Klitzke, Hall Director
TBA, Hall Director
Shelby Rubbelke , Graduate Hall Director
Kathleen McEathron, Operations Manager
Campus Life is a collaborative team combining Campus Programs and Residential Life. The union of these two departments is an example of how Macalester is addressing how to continue to refine the student experience into a more seamless and holistic one. Its responsibilities include student activities, residential life, orientation, and judicial affairs.
Campus Programs
Working with members of the college community to develop co-curricular activities, Campus Programs staff members work with student organization leaders in the planning and implementation of dances, concerts, lectures, faculty-student get-togethers, and a variety of other events. The staff members also coordinate new student orientation and assist student government and other student organizations with programming, leadership and membership development.
Defining and training leaders capable of creating positive change is an important aspect of the Macalester experience. Equally important is the concept of participation in and responsibility to a community. Through a variety of campus wide and department specific programs and initiatives, Macalester students gain valuable opportunities to test and put into practice the information they are learning in the classroom.
Student Activities and Organizations
Macalester offers a wide range of co-curricular activities through which students can get involved. These activities are intended to create fun, yet challenging learning opportunities that will complement the student’s academic experience. National studies show that students who challenge themselves by getting involved outside of the classroom have higher rates of success in college.
Many activities focus specifically on students’ academic interests. A number of departments sponsor clubs that enable students to take field trips or attend meetings with professionals in their field. Several departments also have chapters of national honor societies and Macalester has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
Arts and Performances
Numerous opportunities for performance exist both through departmental interaction and student organizations. Students that are musically inclined can take advantage of the Concert Choir that often tours nationally and internationally, the Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band and the Pipe Band. There are also numerous other musical ensembles covering a wide range of music including a cappella, acoustic, traditional African music, gospel and others.
For those who enjoy other forms of artistic expressions, the college offers such groups as the Highland Dancers, the Dance Ensemble, MacCinema, Fresh Concepts (improvisational comedy troupe), Mac Jump and Jive, and an extensive theater program. The debate team has distinguished itself nationally for over two decades.
Athletics
The college offers a number of varsity sports for women and men. Macalester belongs to the MIAC and the NCAA Division III. Macalester’s club sports program enables students to compete against other schools in a less structured format. Students also participate in intramural sports throughout the year.
The Club Sports Program provides opportunities for students to participate in a variety of sports and recreational activities that are not offered as a part of the NCAA intercollegiate sports program administered by the Athletic Department. Currently active clubs include badminton (co-ed), crew (men and women), ice hockey (men and women), Nordic skiing (men and women), men’s rugby, ultimate Frisbee (men and women), men’s volleyball and men’s water polo.
Cultural and Special Interest
This is one of the most active areas of co-curricular involvement with over 40 student groups. Groups in this area include a wide range of cultural groups encompassing most ethnic traditions and gender issues, as well as numerous special interest groups.
Media Organizations
There are numerous student media organizations on campus. The MacWeekly has been Macalester’s student newspaper since 1914. It serves as a source of information for the college, a forum for debate within the community and a training ground for students who wish to gain experience in journalism. Other student publications include a number of literary magazines, photography club and others. Our student radio station WMCN-91.7 FM broadcasts in the immediate campus vicinity, and offers a variety of programming.
Religious
For those interested in deepening their religious understanding there are ten religious organizations on campus.
Student Government
The Macalester College Student Government (MCSG) is the representative government on campus. MCSG is the organization to join if students wish to participate directly in campus policies and events. In an environment which seeks to maximize student leadership, MCSG’s elected student representatives govern the budgeting of chartered student groups and act as a liaison between students and the administration.
There are over 75 MCSG-chartered organizations on campus and if students don’t see an organization that piques their interest they are welcome to work with the Campus Programs staff who will help to develop an organizational charter and assist in presenting it to the legislative body of Macalester College Student Government.
Residential Life
At Macalester, residence halls are a place to learn. Approximately 70% of our students live on campus in a variety of settings: residence halls, language houses, theme living communities and residential class communities. Our residence halls are managed by trained, professional staff who have Master’s degrees in fields related to counseling and educational administration. In addition, each hall is divided into smaller sub-communities of approximately 35 students, facilitated by trained upper-class students.
Most students live in double rooms with roommates. Each living space is complete with beds, desks and desk chairs, closets, bureaus, and telephone. Most rooms are carpeted.
Parents are usually interested to know that Residential Life staff are successful in providing strong peer resource networks and effective referral processes. If you ever have a concern about your daughter/son we encourage you to contact us. We will quickly respond.
A unique residential feature available only to first year students is the “residential” first year course. When your son/daughter registers for classes for the Fall, he/she has the option of selecting a first-year course with a residential component. Students in these classes live in close proximity to each other as an academic community. While not all first year courses offer the residential component, these classes have become a positive tradition at Macalester.
Students can easily become involved in a wide range of community activities. Residential Life staff work closely with students to provide support and structure for a successful transition into the college’s academic and social arenas.
Macalester College has a two-year residence requirement for all students, as we believe that residential living is a positive contributor to overall student success and persistence. This requirement means that all students must live on campus for their first two years at Macalester. We do not guarantee housing for upper-class students or transfer students.
Career Development Center (651-696-6384)
Denise Ward, Director and Associate Dean of Student Services
John Mountain, Associate Director
Christina Cowens, Career Counselor
Linda Schindler, Recruitment Coordinator
Deb Godbout, Department Coordinator
The Career Development Center (CDC) provides support and encouragement to Macalester students in developing, interpreting, and applying their educational experience to meet their goals. The CDC offers services to assist students in negotiating the challenges and opportunities of a liberal arts education.
First and second year students will benefit from programs and individual advising related to deciding on a major, developing strategies for skill building through activities and involvement, finding summer employment, and linking academic experiences with career goals. The exploration of career possibilities is developing and expanding by the junior year when students are completing internships and building off-campus experiences. As students approach their senior year and career interests begin to take shape, career counseling includes building job search skills, preparing graduate/professional school/fellowship applications and networking with alumni.
There is a complete resource library for assistance in the many stages of career planning and a comprehensive web page providing 24/7 access to resources and information (www.macalester.edu/cdc). Job listings and on-campus recruiting activities assist students in accessing employment opportunities -- part-time, full-time and summer. Workshops and special programs throughout the year focus on a variety of topics to provide students with the skills to be successful in their career endeavors over a lifetime in a global environment.
Parents can keep up-to-date with the activities of the CDC by checking the bi-weekly CDC Newsletter, “Career Streets,” accessible from the CDC home page.
Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (651-696-6298)
Rev. Lucy Forster-Smith, Chaplain/Associate Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life
K. P. Hong, Assistant Director for Religious Life and Spiritual Life and Protestant Chaplain
Rabbi Barry Cytron, Assistant Director for Religious Life and Spiritual Life and Jewish Chaplain
Father Jim Radde, Assistant Director for Religious and Spiritual Life and Catholic Chaplain
Pattie Lydon, Department Coordinator
The religious/spiritual life programming and services on campus are housed within the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, located in the Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel. This multifaith Center acknowledges the rich diversity of religious and spiritual traditions represented at the college and provides a setting where exploration and expression one’s religious life can take place. The college chaplains oversee the work of the Center, as well as supporting students in personal growth ad leadership development. They offer opportunities for students to gain insight into their own and other religious traditions and provide ways for students to engage the local and global community. The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life works closely with the Institute for Global Citizenship through Macalester’s Lilly Project for Vocational and Ethical Leadership.
The chaplaincy offers regularly scheduled worship services in many religious traditions. In addition, the chaplaincy responds to issues of social, political and moral importance in the lives of our students. Chaplains work with religious/spiritual student organizations through the Macalester Multifaith Council. The chaplaincy makes the Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel available to campus and community groups. Macalester College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). www.macalester.edu/chapel
For those interested in finding a community of students who share religious beliefs and practices there are ten religious/spiritual organizations on campus. In addition there is a Multifaith Council comprised of 17 students and a chaplain advisor. The Council offers opportunities for multifaith dialogue and educational programming for the Macalester and wider community on religious issues and concerns. Membership on the Council is by application and is open to both religiously affiliated students and those with no religious affiliation.
Civic Engagement Center (651-696-6040)
Karin Trail-Johnson, Director and Associate Dean for the Institute of Global Citizenship
Paul Schadewald, Associate Director
Ruth Janisch Lake, Assistant Director
Consuelo Gutierrez-Crosby, Student Leadership Coordinator
Eily Marlow, Lilly Program Associate
Christy Heal, Lilly Project-Staff Assistant
The Civic Engagement Center educates students on issues related to global citizenship, assisting them with their personal discernment of values, ethics, and commitments towards contributing to the public good in meaningful ways. The Center works with the community in a spirit of respectful reciprocityand partnership. We connect the resources of the college with community needs and strengths from a commitment to institutional citizenshipand to reinforce the capacity of local communities.
We believe that civic engagement enhances students' understanding of issues of public concern, as well as their academicand civic developmentfor a life of public contribution. Service to society is part of the mission of Macalester College and thus part of an institutional goal to educate thoughtfuland contributing global citizens.
The Civic Engagement Center...
- promotes the ethic and practice of civic engagement throughout campus
- fosters mutually beneficial campus and community partnerships in such areas as direct service, social action, research, political engagement and community organizing
- provides opportunities to learn about issues of social concern through service, trainings, speakers and discussion
- supports faculty in academic civic engagement, including action research, service-learning and community based projects
- offers assistance in locating community service opportunities and connecting with local organizations
- facilitates three leadership development programs (Leaders in Service, Lives of Commitment and Off-Campus Student Employment Program)
- maintains information on more than 300 local and national organizations and on the twin cities
- employs students who initiate educational programming on issues of social concern and facilitate community relationships
- is a member of Minnesota Campus Compact and the college is a charter member of Project Pericles
Disability Student Services (651-696-6220)
TBA, Associate Dean of Students and Coordinator for Disability Student Services
Macalester College seeks to create a welcoming environment in which all students can learn to the best of their abilities. The College is firmly committed to responding in an accommodating and flexible manner to the individual needs of all members of the Macalester community. The Coordinator of Disability Student Services is available as a resource to assist students in achieving a positive educational and social experience while at Macalester. We work with students who have physical, psychological, or learning disabilities which affect their academic or personal lives at the College. Please visit the website for more information, www.macalester.edu/disability.
Health Services (651-696-6275)
Denise Ward, Associate Dean for Student Services
Lisa Broek, Associate Director for Health Education
Kathryn McNaul, Associate Director of Medical Services
Ted Rueff, Associate Director for Counseling
Robert Johnson, Registered Nurse
Don DeBoer, Mental Health Counselor
Mia Nosanow, Mental Health Counselor
Brooke Skinner-Drawz, Mental Health Counselor
Pamela Chavez Birch, Health Services Assistant
Sue Rothenbacher, Executive Assistant
Health Services provides a range of preventive and primary health care and education for Macalester students. Medical care, counseling, and health promotion are partnerships where students and professionals have shared commitment and responsibility to foster knowledge, attitudes and to develop an environment necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices and achieve personal and academic success.
Medical Services
Medical services is staffed by a full-time nurse practitioner and a registered nurse during regular office hours throughout the academic year. They provide general outpatient care for students. A physician is on campus during designated hours. Services include consultation and treatment, laboratory work, and limited medications. For care beyond regular outpatient service, students will be referred to an off-campus facility. There are no fees for visits to the Health Services; there are fees for lab tests, medications, immunizations and allergy injections or visits to off-campus facilities. Macalester does not provide an infirmary.
All students must provide the Health Services with a complete medical history and physical prior to enrollment. Macalester College and the State of Minnesota require proof that you have had the following immunizations in order to be enrolled for the 2008-2009 academic year:
After 12 months of age: German Measles (Rubella) Mump
After 15 months of age: Measles (Rubeola)
A negative tuberculin skin test within the past year (Mantoux)
Diphtheria-tetanus (DT) booster within the past 10 years.
The following vaccines are not required but strongly recommended: Hepatitis B, chicken pox (varicella), meningitis.
Counseling Services
Macalester provides professional counseling services, including short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, referral, and educational programming. Limited access to psychiatric service on campus is available. We serve students experiencing social, psychological, or interpersonal problems, and do so confidentially and free of charge. Students requiring or currently involved in extensive treatment protocols may consult with Health Services for referral to appropriate practitioners and facilities in the Twin Cities.
Health Promotion
College life may be stressful at times, especially for new students. Young people inevitably face many difficult choices as they move into adulthood. The Health Services Health Promotion program offers a variety of programs to increase student awareness of health and safety issues and to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Student-directed programs and peer mentoring are other ways in which healthy decision making is promoted on campus. Web-based resources complement programming, providing 24/7 access to resources.
Informational studies at Macalester suggest that students look to their parents as valuable sources for health information. Parents can provide support by encouraging students to think of their personal health and safety as issues that require a lifetime of careful consideration. Students are encouraged to utilize all of these resources in taking responsibility for making their own personal health and safety choices.
Insurance
All Macalester students are required to have health insurance. They may elect to use their existing plan (usually family’s) AND/OR purchase health insurance made available through Macalester. Accident insurance is also available through Macalester. Students must waive out of coverage before the deadline or they will be automatically enrolled and charged for the health insurance. New students generally receive information on the insurance program in June.
Transition of Care
If your student has existing medical or mental health concerns, please plan to identify providers in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area that can provide continuity of care before coming to Macalester. Check with your health insurance provider regarding coverage. Our staff would be pleased to consult with you.
Internship Program Office (651-696-6128)
Michael Porter, Director
Jan Rossbach, Department Coordinator
Internships are an integral part of the liberal arts curriculum at Macalester, enabling students to participate in structured, supervised learning experiences that enhance knowledge gained in previous course work, connecting the theoretical with real world applications. Students also benefit from having opportunities to explore fields of interest as they crystallize their passions into an academic course of action and career path. The Internship Program works with students, faculty, sponsors, and community partners to create intentional, academically relevant learning experiences. Students may engage in internships in a wide range of off-campus settings which match their academic goals, including non-profit organizations, government, business, and the arts.
The objectives for the Internship Program are:
1. To provide opportunities for students to examine first-hand knowledge and theories learned in the classroom for their wider impact on society and the world at large.
2. To provide opportunities for students to evaluate and apply a body of knowledge and methods of inquiry from an academic discipline.
3. To provide students access to a larger or different “laboratory” of equipment and/or situations not easily obtained or available on campus.
4. To provide students expanded opportunities for self-directed learning.
5. To enable students to develop work competencies for specific professions and to explore career interests and form networks.
6. To provide opportunities for students to develop intellectual and professional partnerships.
Lealtad-Suzuki Center/Department of Multicultural Life (651-696-6243)
The framework for the Department of Multicultural Life at Macalester College is grounded in the recognition that given the diversity of the Macalester community, members from distinctly different backgrounds often encounter intense cultural conflicts within the context of the larger society. To be true to Macalester’s stated purpose, “to prepare people to become intellectually vital and productive citizen-leaders in a world that includes a multiplicity of cultures, perspectives, and needs,” it is imperative that members of Macalester demonstrate a commitment to multiculturalism by approaching the work of the College with intention, inclusion and integrity.
Tommy Woon, Dean of Multicultural Life
Karla Benson Rutten, Director of the Lealtad-Suzuki Center
TBA, Assistant Director of the Lealtad-Suzuki Center
Afifa Benwahoud, Department Coordinator
Located on the first floor of Kagin Commons, the Lealtad-Suzuki Center provides ongoing multicultural training and development to Macalester faculty, staff and students to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills pertaining to diversity and multiculturalism; coordinates and synchronizes intentional multicultural programming and services throughout campus; and provides multicultural education through mediums such as literature, video, audio, art and personal consultation.
The Lealtad-Suzuki Center offers a number of programmatic initiatives for the Macalester College community, such as a Center Associates Initiative, several student collectives, a Soup and Substance Lunch Series, an Allies Project and the Pluralism and Unity Program for first year students. The Center is part of the larger Department of Multicultural Life. The mission of the Department of Multicultural Life is to integrate the ethos and values of historically under-represented peoples, discourses, thoughts, and ideas as a catalyst for transforming the traditional ways of doing the work of the College into a more inclusive model. To learn more about the staff, mission, goals and programs of the Lealtad-Suzuki Center, please visit our website at: www.macalester.edu/lealtad-suzuki.
Safety and Security Office (651-696-6555)
Terry Gorman, Director
The college Safety and Security Office is responsible for safety and security on campus. The office is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Macalester campus is located in a safe city neighborhood. However, we continually work with our students regarding their personal safety. We teach them to take their safety seriously by practicing good habits and using the tools available on campus (e.g. Safe Walk Program).
The Safety and Security Office responds to campus emergencies, conducts routine campus patrols, and serves as a liaison with St. Paul City police, fire and medical emergency agencies. In conjunction with Campus Programs, a campus-wide safe walk program is available to all students, staff and faculty whose schedules dictate their walking alone after dark.
Please contact us should you encounter any safety or security issues.
FINANCING A MACALESTER EDUCATION
Financial Assistance
Any degree-seeking student may apply for financial assistance. Approximately two-thirds of Macalester students receive financial aid.
To apply for aid, US students must complete the College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit copies of student and parent tax forms to the Financial Aid Office. If the applicant’s parents are separated or divorced, a non-custodial parent statement is required as part of the first year’s aid application. Full application instructions are published on the Financial Aid Office website. Eligibility for financial aid is evaluated each year.
Regardless of eligibility for financial aid, parents and students may choose from several financing options. The college offers a payment plan which allows a family to spread annual costs over ten equal monthly payments. Long-term loans are available to most parents and students.
Parents are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about changes in their financial situation, application procedures, or any other topics related to the financing of their son or daughter’s education.
Contact: Financial Aid Office
651-696-6215, Fax: 651-696-6866
Email: finaid@macalester.edu
Web site: www.macalester.edu/financialaid/
ORIENTATION 2008
Getting Started
The New Student Orientation program, required of all new students, is a series of academic and social activities designed to introduce you and your student to Macalester College. Your student will have many opportunities to meet new people, participate in the first meeting of their first-year class, settle into the residence hall and begin the adjustment to this new environment.
In addition, we have scheduled several special sessions for parents during orientation. We believe it is very important that you meet people, see the places, and get a sense of what your student will experience at Macalester.
On Friday, August 22, plan to arrive and check in at the residence hall assigned to your student between 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Residence hall and roommate assignments will be sent to you in early August.) There will be many upper-class students ready to assist you in moving your student into their room.
An orientation folder, containing an up-to-date orientation schedule, will be provided upon your arrival. Students will receive instruction on obtaining their college ID, be assigned a post office box number and a telephone number. The college ID is used for access to meals, library checkout, athletic facilities and other areas on campus. It also serves as a debit card. After placing money in their account, students can use their ID to make purchases at the college bookstore, Highlander Store, vending machines and to use laundry facilities. No need to worry, there will be staff members available to answer questions and to assist you!
*International students and athletes participating in a fall sport will receive information about arriving on an earlier date.
TENTATIVE PARENT ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
Friday, August 22
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Families Arrive
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Convocation
7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Parent Reception with President Rosenberg
Saturday, August 23
9:00 a.m. Meet the Hall Director
10:15 a.m. Meet the Deans and Absolute Reality
11:45 a.m. Meet First Year Professor
12:30 p.m. Lunch/Reception for Parents & Families of Students of Color & Multiracial Students or on own
2:00 p.m. Conversation with Current Students
2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Transitions
Tours (Campus and Library)
3:30 p.m. Academic Experience/Transition from Home
Tours (Campus and Library)
4:15 p.m. Mac Resource Fair
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Athletic Reception or Dinner on Your Own
6:30 p.m. President’s Reception
Sunday, August 24
9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m. Parents & Families Farewell
This is a tentative schedule and subject to change. For additional Orientation information and schedule updates please refer to the Orientation website at www.macalester.edu/orientation.
VISITING CAMPUS AND FAMILY FEST 2008
As the parent of a Macalester student, you are a very special part of our college
community. You are welcome to visit the campus at any time, and we host
several events especially with you in mind.
Family Weekend, or Family Fest as we call it, is held each fall and an especially good time to visit your son or daughter, sit in on a class or two, and meet other parents as you attend a variety of activities designed to give you a glimpse of the Macalester experience.
Family Fest 2008 is October 3-5 with a wide variety of activities to keep you engaged throughout the entire weekend. This year’s collaboration is with Diversity Weekend and International Roundtable.
Family Fest is looking forward to continuing some old tradition and trying new ones. We will have our annual Wellness 5K Run/Walk and Scottish Breakfast (and many others). We will have also responded to past evaluations and created Family Dinners, collecting family recipes to share, and will be asking you to send in your family pictures to share with our campus community.
A complete schedule of events and registration information will be mailed to you in August or check the Macalester website for updates (www.macalester.edu/familyfest).
If you come at another time, we encourage you to review the college calendar for fall and spring breaks and final exams.
When you visit the campus, you may reserve one of the guest rooms at the college’s Hugh S. Alexander Alumni House, located on campus at 1644 Summit Avenue. Capacity is limited, so we advise you to reserve a room well in advance by calling the director at 651-696-6677 or writing the Alumni House, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105.
LODGING/FLORISTS/PHARMACIES
Area Bed & Breakfasts
Covington Inn
100 Harriet Island Road B3
St. Paul, MN 55107
651-292-1411
www.bbonline.com/mn/covington
Area Hotels/Motels
(+=under $100; ++= $100-$150; +++= $150-$200; ++++=over $200)
(*special rates subject to availability)
Macalester College is a part of the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities school system, othwerwise known as ACTC. Several hotels in the area have worked out lodging deals with ACTC. Click here to be routed to the website with a listing of current offers and contact details.
Courtyard by Marriott/Roseville (++) Days Inn Midway (+)
2905 Centre Pointe Drive 1964 University Avenue West
Roseville, MN 55113 St. Paul, MN 55104
651-746-8000 651-645-8681
*Days Inn Roseville (+) *Embassy Suites St. Paul (++)
2550 Cleveland Avenue North 175 East 10th Street
Roseville, MN 55113 St. Paul, MN 55101
651-636-6730 651-224-5400/651-379-5060
*Holiday Inn Express (++) *Holiday Inn River Centre (+)
1010 Bandana Boulevard West 175 West 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55108 St. Paul, MN 55102
651-647-1637/800-465-4329 651-225-1515
*Holiday Inn – St. Paul North (+) City Center-St. Paul (++)
1201 West County Road E 411 Minnesota Street (at 6th)
Arden Hills, MN 55112 St. Paul, MN 55101
800-465-4329 651-291-8800/800-333-3333
Crowne Plaza Hotel-St. Paul (++) *Radisson Hotel-Roseville (+)
11 East Kellogg Boulevard 2540 Cleveland Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55101 Roseville, MN 55113
651-292-1900/800-333-3333 651-636-4567/800-333-3333
Super 8 Motel (+) The St. Paul Hotel (+++)
2401 Prior Avenue North 350 Market Street
Roseville, MN 55113 St. Paul, MN 55102
651-636-8888 651-292-9292/800-292-9292
Minneapolis Area
Courtyard by Marriott at the Depot (+++) *Days Inn University (+)
225 Third Avenue South 2407 University Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55401 Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-375-1700 612-623-9303
DoubleTree Guest Suites (++) The Grand Hotel-Minneapolis (++++)
1101 LaSalle Avenue 615 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403 Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-332-6800/80-222-TREE 612-288-8888/866-843-4726
www.minneapolisdoubletree.com
Hyatt Regency (++) *The Marquette Hotel (+++)
1300 Nicollet Mall 710 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403 Minneapolis, MN 55402
8000-233-1234 612-376-7400/800-328-4782
www.marquettehotel.com
Minneapolis Marriott City Center (+++) Millennium Hotel Minneapolis (+)
30 South 7th Street 1313 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402 Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-349-4000 612-332-6000/800-522-8856
Radisson University Hotel-Minneapolis (++) Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis (++)
615 Washington Avenue SE 35 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55414 Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-379-8888/800-333-3333 612-339-4900/800-333-3333
Airport/Mall of America Area
*Comfort Inn Airport (+) *Crowne Plaza Mpls Airport (+)
1321 East 78th Street 5401 Green Valley Drive
Bloomington, MN 55425 Bloomington, MN 55437
952-876-6605 952-345-1244
Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport (++) Holiday Inn Select Intl Airport (++)
3800 East 80th Street 3 Appletree Square (I494/34th Ave)
Bloomington, MN 55425 Bloomington, MN 55425
952-854-2100/800-637-7453 952-854-9000/800-465-4329
*Minneapolis Airport Marriott (+) Ramada Inn Airport at MOA (++)
2020 East 79th Street 2300 East American Boulevard
Bloomington, MN 55425 Bloomington, MN 55425
952-854-7441/800-228-9290 952-854-3411
Florists/Balloons/Gift Baskets
A. Johnson & Sons Florists Fleur de lis Florist
1738 Grand Avenue 516 Selby Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105 St. Paul, MN 55102
651-698-6000 651-292-9562
Garden of Eva Stems & Vines, Ltd
1585 Marshall Avenue 949 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104 St. Paul, MN 55105
651-646-7244 651-228-1450
KaBloom Laurel Street Flowers
1045 Grand Avenue 1129 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105 St. Paul, MN 55105
651-288-3932 651-221-9700
Lassothemoon Gift Baskets Balloon Bunch
(next day courier service) 1193 Grand Avenue
763-537-7777 St. Paul, MN 55105
www.lassothemoongiftbaskets.com 651-292-0289
(affordable & sophisticated gift baskets for
every occasion)
Pharmacies/Drug Stores
St. Paul Corner Drug Walgreen’s Drug Store
(delivers to Mac/accepts VISA) 522 South Snelling Avenue
242 South Cleveland Avenue St. Paul, MN 55116
St. Paul, MN 55105 651-698-6502
651-698-8859
MACALESTER COLLEGE
2008-2009 Academic Calendar
Fall 2008
Pre-Orientation for International Students Thursday - Friday Aug 20-21
(move into halls beginning August 19)
New Student Orientation (move into Friday - Tuesday Aug 22-26
halls 8 a.m.-5 p.m., first meal dinner Fri., 8/22)
Parent Orientation (ends at 10 a.m. Sun., 8/24) Friday-Sunday Aug 22-24
Residence Halls Open for upperclass students Saturday August 23
Classes Begin Wednesday August 27
SP/SU 08 Incompletes Due Wednesday August 27
Labor Day Holiday Monday September 1
Last Day to Register/Validate Friday September 5
Last Day to Add/Drop/Change Grading Friday September 12
Family Fest Weekend Friday - Sunday October 3-5
Fall Break Thursday - Sunday October 16-19
Last Day to Withdraw From a Class Friday October 31
Spring 2009 Registration Monday - Wednesday Nov 10-26
Thanksgiving Break Thursday - Sunday Nov 27-30
January Independent/Internship Registrations Due Friday December 5
Classes End Friday | 
