2020–21 Academic Catalog Olivet College provides an educational environment, programs and activities, and a workplace free of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability. Information provided in this catalog is subject to change. Failure to read this catalog does not exempt students from following the policies, regulations and requirements described herein. This catalog accurately describes the academic policies and programs of Olivet College in effect at the time of publication. It is not, however, to be understood as an irrevocable contract between the student and the college. The educational process requires continual review, and the college reserves the right to make appropriate changes in its courses, programs, grading system, standards of progress and retention, honors, awards and fees. In general, students are to be governed by the catalog that is current at the time they begin their studies at Olivet College. However, a student has the option of declaring to be under the jurisdiction of a subsequent catalog. If this option is declared, it must be claimed in total; students are not allowed to select some regulations from one catalog and other regulations from another catalog. Olivet College Statement of Mission The mission of Olivet College is to make available to a diverse campus community an education which will enrich lives intellectually, morally and spiritually. Having gained these qualities through the educational experiences at Olivet, our hope is that our graduates will embody the divine art and science of doing good to others as stated by the founding fathers of Olivet College in 1844. For more information, contact: Office of Academic Affairs (269) 749-7618 or toll free 1-800-456-7189 or visit www.olivetcollege.edu i Olivet College Academic Vision Statement Education for Individual and Social Responsibility Our Vision – Olivet College is dedicated today, as it was in 1844, to the principle that the future of humanity rests in the hands, hearts, and minds of those who will accept responsibility for themselves and others in an increasingly diverse society. This principle of individual and social responsibility is realized in the context of a distinctive liberal arts experience which nurtures in our students the emergence and development of skills, perspectives, and ethics necessary to better themselves and society. We seek to involve our students in an active academic community which cherishes diversity of thought and expression. In so doing, we will help our students discover ways they can most effectively contribute to the common good. Our Aspirations – We aspire to provide a campus-wide academic culture such that our students will come to understand the need to serve others as well as themselves, to celebrate both the wealth of human diversity and the bond of human similarity, to care for the earth and all its resources, and to strike a balance among their intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual capacities. It is our hope that each graduate will embrace our essential principle in his or her life’s work. Our Commitment – Driven by our academic vision, Olivet College maintains a learning environment that encourages scholastic excellence among students, faculty, and the wider campus community. Students at Olivet College are committed first to their learning. Faculty at Olivet College are committed first to their teaching. And, the institution is committed first to providing the necessary resources and support to achieve these goals both within and beyond the classroom. Our Heritage – The foundation of our guiding principle was established by the founders of Olivet College when they wrote, “We wish simply to do good to our students, by placing in their hands the means of intellectual, moral and spiritual improvement, and to teach them the divine art and science of doing good to others.” Adopted by the Olivet College Faculty December 6, 1993; adopted by the Olivet College Board of Trustees January 29, 1994. ii The Olivet College Compact To give further definition to Olivet College's institutional vision of Education for Individual and Social Responsibility, the following set of principles about what it means to be a responsible member of this college community were developed. They serve as a guide and inspiration to Olivet's students, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees alike. Olivet College is founded on and devoted to student learning, growth and development. The college values diversity within a community built on trust, participation and a sense of pride. As a member of this community, I affirm the following commitments: I am responsible for my own learning and personal development. We recognize the critical importance of taking ownership for our learning. We seek to learn from the full range of our experience, to be open to new experiences and new ideas and to continuously pursue excellence and fulfillment in our intellectual, social and spiritual pursuits. I am responsible for contributing to the learning of others. Every learner benefits when each shares ideas, insights and experiences with others. We value differences of opinion and perspective as well as open, respectful dialogue about these differences as central to the ongoing learning process. I am responsible for service to Olivet College and the larger community. People working together for the common good is a key to growth for both the individual and the community. We commit ourselves to participating in community service and volunteer activities, both on and off campus. I am responsible for contributing to the quality of the physical environment. Enhancing environmental quality is critical to the College, the community and ultimately to the survival of our planet. We will act to maintain and improve our facilities and grounds, to enhance the safety, the security and the appearance of our surroundings and to protect the ecology of our larger community. I am responsible for treating all people with respect. We aim to create a positive and inclusive campus culture celebrating both the individual and cultural differences which make each of us unique and the similarities which bond us together. We recognize the need to seek to understand others as the first step to developing mutual understanding, caring and respect. I am responsible for behaving and communicating with honesty and integrity. We build trust when we communicate openly, when we seek justice and fairness for all people, regardless of role or position, and when we honor our values and commitments in our private as well as our public behavior. I am responsible for the development and growth of Olivet College. We reach outward and seek to inform, involve and recruit new students, employees and friends who share the vision and principles of Olivet College. In joining this community, I commit myself to these principles and accept the obligation entrusted to me to foster a culture of responsibility at Olivet College. iii Strategic Vision for Olivet College 2020 and Beyond (in process of revision for new strategic plan) As we look toward the Olivet College of 2020 and beyond, we envision a future where the college: • Embodies in its curriculum and campus life our values-based mission of education for individual and social responsibility. • Facilitates the vibrancy of campus and community life, where students are empowered and engaged learners; where we support a culture of diversity and global inclusion; where each person feels included, supported and respected; where we build community and have fun together; and most importantly, where faculty, staff and students want to be, live and learn. • Provides a unique educational opportunity, where students from a wide assortment of backgrounds and abilities succeed as engaged learners, and where "providing opportunity" is defined by enhanced academic achievement, high graduation rates, or vocational placement of our graduates, and the social contributions of our alumni. • Facilitates through an international perspective the development of productive and responsible global citizens who think critically, communicate effectively, work well with a diverse array of others, and embody individual and social responsibility. • Ensures an educational experience that is strong in professional preparation within a contemporary liberal arts foundation and develops critical, independent thinkers who possess a strong ethical compass. • Prepares students for a rapidly changing, technologically-enabled global economy and society. • Is financially healthy and stable, and effectively directs financial resources at achieving priorities. • Has a regional and national reputation as a college that effectively prepares students to be not only economically successful, but to take responsibility to make positive change in their local and global communities. Developed by the Olivet College campus community in 2011 and ratified in 2012 by the Olivet College Board of Trustees. iv Academic Catalog Table of Contents Guiding Principles of Olivet College Olivet College Statement of Mission ................................................................................................................................................. i Olivet College Academic Vision Statement..................................................................................................................................... ii The Olivet College Compact