Facilities
Realizing that environment plays a significant role in the cultivation of individual growth, The University of Olivet has expended considerable effort over the years to create an intellectually stimulating and comfortable atmosphere in which students can excel. With an eye to the future, Olivet has invested resources in housing, educational facilities and classroom resources.
The construction of residence halls began soon after Olivet’s doors opened. Parsons Hall housed men from 1871 to 1928, when it was replaced by Blair Hall in 1929. In 1955, Olivet added a wing to Blair Hall in order to better accommodate students. Dole Hall, completed in 1932, provides housing and administrative offices. Shipherd Hall, dedicated in 1966, provides housing for both men and women. In 1963, the Lester K. Kirk Center was built to provide larger dining facilities, space for a bookstore and a student recreational center. The Kirk Center was completely remodeled in 2013 to accommodate the university’s growing student population.
As early as 1874, the university had accumulated a substantial collection of minerals and fossils. In 1879, the collection was numbered at 50,000 scientific specimens. When Mather Hall was built in 1885 to provide laboratory facilities, a museum was included. Portions of this collection are still an aid to scientific study. Currently, specimens are located in the Mott Academic Center, which was completed in 1967. A gift of a painting of the Mount of Olives became the foundation of an art gallery in 1878. The university library, which displays the painting, was built in 1889. While retaining the grandeur of Burrage Hall, the library was tripled in size in 1992. The art program has been housed in a variety of buildings, moving into the new Riethmiller Blackman Art Building in the fall of 2010.
Special attention to education in music began in 1863, resulting in the creation of a Conservatory of Music in 1874. In 1888, the conservatory was housed in a building on the site of the present Congregational Church. At the turn of the 20th century, the Conservatory of Music stood alongside the university with a wide reputation for excellence. In 1899, a faculty member founded the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra. The Upton Conservatory of Music was dedicated in 1974.
The facilities of Olivet laboratories, libraries, studios, practice rooms, playing fields, offices and performance halls are designed and operated for easy and convenient use by students. Brief descriptions of some of these facilities are provided below.
Barker-Cawood Lounge
Barker-Cawood Lounge is located in the Mott Academic Center. The lounge houses a café which provides an area for students to study together and relax between courses while enjoying a range of products including Starbucks specialty coffees, teas, and other fresh food items.
Beman Observatory and Planetarium
Located in the Mott Academic Center, the planetarium has a 35-foot dome with seating for 60. It is used for classes as well as programs open to the community on stars, constellations, planets and other astronomical features. The Beman Observatory houses a 6-inch refracting telescope and is used for astronomical viewing in classes and scheduled showings open to the community.
The University of Olivet Spirit Store
The University of Olivet Spirit Store located in The Cutler Student Center, offers all required textbooks for Olivet courses. Students will also find school supplies, art materials, posters, greeting cards, souvenirs, incidentals and The University of Olivet sweatshirts, T-shirts, jackets and other apparel.
Burrage Library
Burrage Library is located on the corner of College and Main streets. The original 19th century neo-Romanesque library building, Burrage Hall, was renovated and expanded in 1992, tripling its size and doubling its book storage capacity. The library currently contains over 90,000 books, 500 periodical subscriptions, and access to a wide range of online databases as well as special collections. The library provides students with library skills education, interlibrary loan services, individual attention, and a quiet place to study. Burrage Library is open throughout the academic year, with seating for 300 students.
Computer Labs
Computer labs are located in the Mott Academic Center and Burrage Library. These labs are equipped with networked IBM-compatible computers and laser printers. All computers run Microsoft Office products and are connected to the Internet. Workstations can also be found in all residential halls.
The Cutler Event Center and Athletic Complex
The athletic and recreation facility is located at the south end of campus. The 44,500-square-foot multipurpose facility includes multiple varsity and visiting locker rooms, officials’ locker rooms, an athletic training room, weight room, athletic department offices and general-purpose rooms.
The Cutler Student Center
The Cutler Student Center is located between Shipherd Hall and Blair Hall. The 35,000 square-foot building opened in 2024 featuring a rotunda and fireside lounge. The facility includes a dining area, lounge space, and activity options. It also houses the Spirit Store, Campus Safety, mailroom, meeting spaces for student clubs and organizations and multi-purpose conference rooms.
Gruen Engagement Center
The Gruen Engagement Center serves as a place where students and faculty can collaborate in a social setting, while also serving as a lodging and hospitality space for visitors such as professors-in-residence, campus speakers and special guests. The Engagement Center was the one-time home of Dr. Fred Gruen, chemistry professor at the university from 1951 to 1991, who was known and respected for his active engagement with students beyond the classroom.
Hosford History Center and Lawrence Archives
The Hosford History Center and Lawrence Archives opened in the spring of 2019 as part of the university’s 175th anniversary as a chronological walk-through-time museum and archives with offices, meeting rooms, student workspaces, and a café. As a history and learning center, the space is now a hub of activity with a steady flow of students and visitors participating in tours, research, and events that all illuminate Olivet’s unique and socially progressive history.
Lester K. Kirk Center
The main floor of the Kirk Center houses the Chartwells food services office and dining hall.
Kirkelldel Biological Preserve
Located two miles from campus on Pine Lake, Kirkelldel has five habitat types and broad biological diversity, serving as an outdoor classroom for a range of science classes and research projects.
Doris Laimbeer Fitness Center
Housed in the Upton Center, the Laimbeer Fitness Center opened in 1994 and was renovated in 2012. The center includes fitness and cardio equipment and free weights to accommodate patrons at all levels of fitness and with all lifting styles. The center is available to all students, faculty and staff. Hours of operation are available through the Coordinator of Recreational Programs.
Nursing Program Office
The University of Olivet has an additional location on the campus of Kellogg Community College located at 450 North Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 for the purposes of delivering its RN-BSN Program. The nursing program office is located in the Classroom Building, Room 105.
Pyne Pavilion
Completed in 2014, Pyne Pavilion is located at the Cutler Athletic Complex and provides prime seating for game viewing days, meeting space and a satellite Spirit Store.
Riethmiller Blackman Art Building
The Riethmiller Blackman Art Building is a 17,000-square-foot facility designed to house Olivet’s Visual Arts Program. The facility includes an art gallery, fine art vault and art classrooms. It is also open to non-art majors, faculty, alumni and the community.
Roznowski Learning Commons
Completed in 2015, the Roznowski Learning Commons provides students with a contemporary environment in which to study, as well as study rooms equipped with the latest technology to enable collaborative projects and learning.
Kula Samba Theatre
This theatre is located in the Roznowski Learning Commons on the lower level of Burrage Library. The theatre is named after a 1973 The University of Olivet graduate who served as a nurse in Sierra Leone and who was executed in 1998 for fighting for the civil liberties of children. The theatre is open throughout the week and available for private functions.
Frederick S. Upton Center
The Upton Center is an athletic building used for varsity and intramural athletics, recreation and physical education courses. The indoor swimming pool is open for general student use when not otherwise scheduled for varsity, intramural, extramural or classroom activities. Please contact the Coordinator of Recreational Programs for hours of operation.
Margaret Upton Conservatory of Music
The conservatory has numerous practice rooms, vocal and instrumental rehearsal halls, a 123-seat recital hall and a computer-equipped electronic music/MIDI recording and music composition studio.
University Resources and Services
Accommodations
In compliance with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, The University of Olivet provides accommodations to students with documented disabilities, disorders, and/or impairments to enable these individuals to work equitably toward academic success. Students eligible to receive accommodations must be registered with the Director of Academic Accommodations and provide documentation of their needs.
African American Cultural Center
The African American Cultural Center (AACC) augments The University of Olivet’s mission to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for African American students. The AACC, overseen by the Black Student Union and the Office for Student Development, promotes programs that facilitate the intellectual, cultural, and social growth of the entire campus community. While coordinating educational activities and programs that celebrate the diversity and inclusion of all University students, the AACC assists in initiatives related to the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation of African American students.
Campus Safety
The University of Olivet operates its own non-deputized Campus Safety Department, with personnel on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Campus Safety officers work closely with the campus community to ensure the protection of The University of Olivet, and basic safety services are provided to all students, employees, and guests of the university. Success depends upon a true partnership between Campus Safety personnel and the diverse population of students and employees who comprise the campus community. To contact Campus Safety from an on-campus landline, dial 7911. From off campus, dial (269) 749-7911 or (517) 321-6804. Campus Safety is located in The Cutler Student Center.
Campus Safety provides the following services: crime prevention and safety programs, parking and traffic enforcement, criminal and non-criminal investigations, campus building security, student medical transportation arrangements, 24-hour on-campus escorts, after-hours admittance to campus buildings for authorized students and employees, and event security.
Canvas Learning Management System
Students are given access to Canvas, our learning management system, upon registration. The university’s Canvas platform provides students with access to all their courses, class content and details, online resources, 24 hour technical help, communication access to their professors and peers, and accessible content for all users.
Canvas also includes Canvas Studio, which is built into the learning platform. Studio provides professors and students with the resources needed to develop multi-media content for their courses. Each student is given their own Studio account to create and save content.
Comet Career Closet
The Comet Career Closet (CCC) is a free campus resource that provides professional clothing to students. The CCC helps students dress for success for class presentations, internships, job interviews, and other professional opportunities. For more information, contact the Director of Career Readiness and Leadership Development.
Comets’ Cupboard
Comets’ Cupboard food pantry addresses food insecurity on campus by serving students “One Bag at a Time.” Comets’ Cupboard offers a variety of items that vary throughout the year, including non-perishable food items, refrigerated and frozen foods, personal hygiene products, baby items, and more. Comet’s Cupboard is managed by the Office for Student Development and is open every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters. For more information, contact the associate dean of student life.
Betsy Dole Women’s Resource Center
The Betsy Dole Women’s Resource Center, also known as the Gender Resource Center (GRC), offers co-curricular activities for the campus community, including speakers, films, forums, workshops, programs, and other special events. Resources and services are designed to help participants gain an inclusive understanding of life experiences primarily related to gender, sexuality, and culturally diverse populations. The GRC also facilitates the weekly LGBTQIA+ support group, Q&A (Queers and Allies). The GRC welcomes all community members regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, age, religion, or other aspects of identity.
Email Accounts
Students are provided email accounts-generally the first initial of the first name followed by the last name@uolivet.edu. For example, Jane Smith would be jsmith@uolivet.edu. Students are expected to monitor their university email account regularly. It is preferred that students use their campus email account for communication with university personnel.
Gruen and Speare Center for Academic Success
The Gruen and Speare Center for Academic Success is home to members of the Student Development team. The Office for Student Development supports students with non-program-specific academic advising, multicultural programming, peer tutoring, career readiness, professional identity development, accommodations for students with learning disabilities, disorders, and/or impairments, first-year student support and initiatives, and student life. Comets’ Cupboard campus food pantry is located in the Office for Student Development, and remote support and tutoring for students in online undergraduate degree completion and graduate programs can be arranged by the Director of Academic Accommodations and Student Support.
Health and Wellness Center
The Health and Wellness Center (HWC) is dedicated to promoting a culture of wellness on campus by providing counseling and a variety of health and wellness services.
Students may contact the providers listed below to receive care:
Counseling and Psychological Services
The University of Olivet Health and Wellness Center - Mott Academic Center, Room 212, (269) 749-7607.
Community Mental Health Crisis Services - 812 East Jolly Road, Lansing, MI 48910, (517) 346-8200 (to schedule appointments), (888) 800-1559 (non-crisis services), (800) 372-8460 (mental health emergency/crisis services).
Oaklawn Psychological and Psychiatric Services - Outpatient Bear Creek Office, 15209 West Michigan Avenue, Marshall, MI 49068, (269) 781-9119.
Medical Services
The University of Olivet Health and Wellness Center - Mott Academic Building, Room 212, Olivet, MI 49076, (269) 749-7745 (basic first aid services available).
Oaklawn Medical Group - 202 North Main Street, Olivet, MI 49076, (269) 749-2131.
Oaklawn Hospital - 200 North Madison Street, Marshall, MI 49068, (269) 781-4271.
Sparrow Eaton Hospital - 321 Harris Street, Charlotte, MI 48813, (517) 543-1050.
For emergency medical needs, call 911 or contact Campus Safety: dial (269) 749-7911 or dial 7911 from an on-campus landline.
Telemedicine stations are available in the HWC for students who wish to meet with a physician or counselor in private on campus.
Students are responsible for following their physician’s instructions. The University of Olivet and its employees are not responsible for administering, storing, managing, or providing any medication.
Health Insurance
Students’ health insurance will be billed when seen by a medical or off-campus mental health provider; most forms of insurance are accepted. Students are responsible for all expenses related to treatment, including co-pays and tests. All costs accrued due to medical and/or safety reasons are the responsibility of the student. If a student does not have insurance, the HWC will assist with the application process.
Student Athletes
All student athletes must provide proof of medical insurance and a physical examination prior to being allowed to practice or compete within the intercollegiate athletic program. Please contact the Athletic Department for more details.
Wellness Services
The University of Olivet mobile app has a full list of current HWC resources and programs. Details about additional services, local partnerships with health providers, health and wellness fairs, etc. are also available on the university app.
Multicultural Education and Initiatives Office
Programming related to Multicultural Education and Initiatives is coordinated by the associate dean of student life to provide educational activities and program initiatives related to the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation of multicultural undergraduate students. The director is part of the Student Development Team which is dedicated to providing educational programs to help students learn to become more aware and accepting of cultural differences that exist on campus. Services and programs offered include:
- Identity development workshops;
- Resources regarding careers, internships, graduate and professional school, education abroad and job opportunities;
- Assistance with questions on financial aid, scholarship and money management;
- Advocacy service, when appropriate, for the needs of multicultural students as defined by the university;
- Diversity training;
- Conflict resolution and other interpersonal matters;
- Mentoring;
- Development of study skills, time management and test taking strategies;
- Obtaining tutorial assistance;
- Programs and activities that address campus climate issues, sociocultural isolation and other non-academic concerns;
- Leadership training; and,
- Program planning and development skills.
Student Activities
The University of Olivet offers a wide range of activities, events, organizations, and clubs for students. Intercollegiate athletics and other recreational activities are considered integral to a liberal arts education at The University of Olivet. Students in good academic standing are encouraged to participate in various opportunities.
Programs and Events
The Office of Student Life’s mission is to bring a positive university experience to every student on campus. It aims to integrate co-curricular programs, events, and ideas with curricular experiences to enhance learning. A wide range of programs, clubs, and organizations are offered to assist students in their growth as individuals. Programs are offered in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, National Coming Out Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, Greek Week, and a diverse range of other scheduled events.
Career and Leadership Center
The Career and Leadership Center (CLC) provides The University of Olivet students and alumni with resources to thrive in their chosen careers and positively impact their communities. Helping individuals identify and leverage their strengths and talents, building strong employer and alumni networks, guiding students on how to dress for success, and empowering applicants to walk into job interviews confidently are a few of the many ways the CLC offers assistance. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the CLC’s various resources and services, including the following: career exploration, resume reviews, internship and job search strategies, graduate school application processes, job shadow experiences, mock interviews, information on salary and hiring data, career fairs, networking, and professional platforms such as Handshake and LinkedIn.
Clubs and Organizations
The University of Olivet supports a wide range of student organizations that substantially contribute to campus social and academic life. Each organization is responsible for submitting a constitution, registration, and membership roster each semester and operates under the guidance of an University faculty or staff advisor. Registration does not imply university endorsement of the purposes of the organization. Student organizations are designed to allow students to meet new people, develop close friendships, discuss common interests, debate issues, and share future goals.
The Office of Student Life maintains current information regarding all active student clubs and organizations and the policies and procedures that govern them. If an organization does not yet exist that meets the needs or goals of interested students, staff will provide information and encouragement to start a new organization. Staff will also advise any student group on planning programs, promoting activities, recruiting, retaining members, and developing budgets and bookkeeping procedures.
Community and Volunteer Service
Becoming involved in The University of Olivet community is one way students can develop knowledge and enhance their learning while at Olivet. Through volunteer services and social action all students can identify and understand first-hand the civic and social challenges of our world, and act with others to make our society more livable, humane and just. Community service provides opportunities for leadership, making connections with others inside and outside of the university community and having fun. Programs are sponsored through academic and administrative departments, as well as the Office of Student Life, current clubs and organizations, Greek societies and various campus committees.
Dance and Cheer Activities
Cheerleading - the cheerleading program is a co-educational activity that provides students an opportunity to support the athletic team efforts in a positive, creative way. The cheerleaders are provided with uniforms and travel expenses.
Cheer and Stunt Team - the cheer and stunt team is co-educational and provides students the opportunity to compete in cheer competitions.
Competitive Dance Team - the competitive dance team is open to all students by audition. The team focuses on jazz and hip hop dance styles and provides entertainment for various campus events.
Greek Life
The Greek Life system at The University of Olivet is comprised of female-identifying, male-identifying, and co-educational societies. These societies, some more than 100 years old, are local organizations founded at The University of Olivet. The Office of Student Life provides leadership advice, skills training, and educational opportunities for members of The University of Olivet Greek societies. The Office of Student Life also assists Greek societies in meeting and maintaining accreditation standards and ensuring that policies and procedures are consistent with The University of Olivet academic vision and The University of Olivet Compact. For more information about Greek societies, please see the Housing section of this catalog.
The University of Olivet’s Greek societies are governed by the Intersociety Council (ISC). This governing organization consists of a president, eleven vice presidents (each society has one ISC officer), and two voting representatives from each society (usually the president and vice president from each society’s house). The purpose of ISC is to foster unity within the Greek system at The University of Olivet and to provide a forum for exchanging ideas among all societies. ISC provides a means for democratically considering and acting upon unique problems, conditions, and needs that arise from Greek society life on campus.
Intercollegiate Athletic Program
A goal of The University of Olivet is to maintain a comprehensive men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic program on a level that is consistent with the university’s standing as a private liberal arts university of academic excellence. The Comets are a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the oldest athletic conference in the nation. The men and women compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the non-athletic scholarship Division III level. Other members of the MIAA are Adrian College, Albion College, Alma College, Calvin College, Hope College, Kalamazoo College, St. Mary’s College (Ind.) and Trine University (Ind.). Contact the Athletic Department for more information.
Men’s intercollegiate sports include: baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming/diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
Women’s intercollegiate sports include: basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.
Intramural Activities
The intramural program at The University of Olivet provides competitive recreation opportunities on campus for students. Seasonal sports include co-ed volleyball, basketball, flag football, and dodgeball. Various other recreation activities, programs, and events are offered. Contact the Coordinator of Recreational Programs for more information.
Music Programs and Ensembles
Students are welcome to participate in a variety of music programs on campus, including marching band, concert band, jazz ensemble, choir, and gospel choir. Auditions are sometimes required depending on the ensemble. Participants may also have the opportunity to earn a renewable talent scholarship at The University of Olivet (see Internal Aid for more information).
Outdoor Recreation and Clay Target Program
Students who participated in a clay target league during high school may continue their sport at the collegiate level by participating in a co-ed program available at The University of Olivet. This program will compete with other colleges and universities in the region. Participants may also have the opportunity to earn a renewable talent scholarship at The University of Olivet (see Internal Aid for more information).
President’s Leadership Institute
The President’s Leadership Institute was established to develop top leadership in Olivet’s students, as well as enable them to become the professional and community leaders of the future.
The institute includes a variety of programs and initiatives to promote leadership, identify leadership talent, and develop effective and successful leadership qualities and skills in University students.
Successful institute graduates are designated as “fellows” of the President’s Leadership Institute and are invited to remain engaged in the activities of PLI in support of future student leadership development, both while completing their studies at The University of Olivet and as successful alumni engaged in professional and community leadership roles.
Student Media
Students interested in developing communication skills such as writing, broadcasting, podcasting, video production, photography, editing, design and layout will find opportunities for experience with The Echo (campus newspaper), Garfield Lake Review (campus literary magazine), and the WOCR-FM (campus radio station).
The Echo - the student-run newspaper is more than 100 years old. Students can begin to gain experience in their freshman year in writing, design, layout, editing, photography, art, advertising and business management.
Garfield Lake Review - The University of Olivet’s annual literary magazine invites students, faculty and staff to submit writings, photography and artwork for possible publication. Students interested in production can become involved in the editing, design and layout of the publication.
WOCR-FM - the campus radio station, run entirely by students, offers hands-on, on-the-air and behind-the-scenes experiences. A diverse format gives students a chance to work in a variety of programming styles.
Women’s Leadership Institute
The mission of The University of Olivet’s Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) is to cultivate confident female-identifying leaders who embrace their authenticity to facilitate and lead positive change. The WLI offers a specialized year-long program that offers engagement with diverse leaders and alumni, provides a legacy mentor experience, and promotes the exploration of multiple leadership approaches with an overall goal of fostering inclusive and equitable practices.
Worship
The University of Olivet was founded in 1844 by Congregational missionaries who brought with them a Christian passion for social justice issues that placed them decades ahead of their time. Today, that same sense of individual accountability to a higher being and responsibility for our fellow human beings is the very core of our academic vision: Education for Individual and Social Responsibility. Olivet is one of two educational institutions in the nation to maintain an active relationship with both the United Church of Christ and the congregations of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.
Much of the worship activity on campus is centered around the Olivet Congregational Church, a community church located on campus next to the Burrage Library. The church, in the spirit of all Congregational churches, is non-creedal. Matters of Biblical interpretation and doctrine are left to the individual. Other religious organizations and groups can be found on campus. Please contact the Office of Student Life for more information.
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