Campus conversations
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The Olaf Messenger
For a while now, I’ve wondered about the names on the screens in Stav. Drawing from the menu of March 3, 2026, we have Szechuan Chicken, Adobo Roasted Chicken, Wok Charred Napa Cabbage, and Herbed Brown Rice Pilaf. These dishes evoke the flavors of China, Mexico, and the Mediterranean region. However, in practice, their vegetables,...
The Olaf Messenger
Migration has shaped the ways humans trace the Earth. Intrinsically connected to the human experience, spreading genes and knowledge through places that were once unknown seems to be a pretty popular activity since… forever. Migration fosters improvement and triggers conflicts. Borders and modern states can be an 18th century invention, but much before that,
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In times of great change, who do the changes actually serve? The stories in this issue begin under a context of a shared, national movement, one that is reshaping how academic institutions talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Since 2025, the current federal administration has taken steps to limit or discourage DEI programs in...
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For most high school seniors, their college decision comes down to prestige, the majors or programs offered, or even just the beauty of a campus. For Nadia Iribe ’30, she first had to make sure that she could even get around campus. “[My mom and I] knew that we would have to cast a pretty...
The Olaf Messenger
St. Olaf College does not place strict limits on artificial intelligence use, a school policy that has become a source of debate as these digital tools rapidly evolve. According to the college library website, AI may be incorporated into coursework if instructors provide “instructions and a transparent process” for students to use it. Still, students...
The Olaf Messenger
Standard Written English (SWE) is an established standard of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and structure for English writing. English writing typically conforms to the expectations of SWE and often does not thoroughly consider the writing process for non-native English speakers. St. Olaf’s Writing Desk, led by Associate Director of Writing, Speaking, and A
The Olaf Messenger
Campus art tells us who we are as a community. From abstract sculptures to student creations that are held in the collection, all of it is a part of the sale of stories and markers to our values and moments of change. I set out to document our campus community’s changing values; through walks and...
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There will always be names that are more well known than others in the art world. Think along the lines of the cubist art movement pioneer Pablo Picasso, the oil painting impressionist Claude Monet, or Michelangelo, known for his anatomically accurate painting and sculptures. However, these names have not been said in my studio art...
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As the College expands access through its financial aid policies and increasing incoming class sizes, it is important to ask what is the trade off for its supposed affordability. In recent years, St. Olaf’s incoming classes have grown noticeably. The Class of 2026, for example, arrived with about 869 students, larger than the college’s historical...
The Olaf Messenger
Lola Buckley ’27 planned to major in Russian before she even arrived at St. Olaf. She was born in the United States, but raised overseas her whole life, residing in many different countries. During her time living in Moldova, Latvia, and Uzbekistan, she was surrounded by the Russian language. When her college search began, she...
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