About Olivet

2024-25 Academic Catalog

The University of Olivet provides an educational environment, programs and activities, and a workplace free of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, 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 The University of Olivet in effect at the time of publication. It is not, however, to be understood as an irrevocable contract between the student and the university. The educational process requires continual review, and the university 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 The University of Olivet. 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.

The University of Olivet Statement of Mission

The mission of The University of Olivet 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 founders of The University of Olivet in 1844.

For more information, contact:
Office of Academic Affairs
(269) 749-7618 or toll free 1-800-456-7189
or visit www.uolivet.edu

The University of Olivet Academic Vision Statement

Education for Individual and Social Responsibility

Our Vision - The University of Olivet 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, The University of Olivet maintains a learning environment that encourages scholastic excellence among students, faculty, and the wider campus community. Students at The University of Olivet are committed first to their learning. Faculty at The University of Olivet 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 The University of Olivet 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 University of Olivet Faculty December 6, 1993; adopted by The University of Olivet Board of Trustees January 29, 1994.

The University of Olivet Compact

To give further definition to The University of Olivet’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 community were developed. They serve as a guide and inspiration to Olivet’s students, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees alike. The University of Olivet is founded on and devoted to student learning, growth and development. The university 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 The University of Olivet 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 University, 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 The University of Olivet.
We reach outward and seek to inform, involve and recruit new students, employees and friends who share the vision and principles of The University of Olivet. In joining this community, I commit myself to these principles and accept the obligation entrusted to me to foster a culture of responsibility at The University of Olivet.

General Information

Founded in 1844, The University of Olivet is a private, four-year, coeducational liberal arts institution. The university takes pride in recognizing its students as individuals.

The representatives of The University of Olivet - alumni, students, faculty, staff and administrators - are proud of its rich tradition. Olivet has a long and storied heritage. From its opening, its innovative and visionary emphasis on service, social responsibility, teaching, learning and advancing knowledge for all people has set it apart from other institutions of higher education. Olivet was committed to cultural pluralism and inclusivity from its founding.

The first Olivetians had a unique vision of higher education:

1. Coeducational - The University of Olivet was the second (first by charter) coeducational college in the nation (Oberlin College was first).
2. Multiracial - As noted in its first academic catalog, Olivet opened its doors to all races. This visionary idea was so strange and risky to the state legislature that the college was forced to wait 13 years after classes began to be chartered by the state.
3. Innovative - Olivet required manual labor along with academic work.
4. Service-Oriented - When it was established, the founders of Olivet also developed the surrounding community with the expectation that part of the responsibility of the college was to provide service to the local and broader communities.
5. Socially Responsible - As progressive and humane individuals, the founders’ commitment to abolishing slavery resulted in a college opposing oppression, particularly that caused by race.

Today, Olivet’s educational experience is embodied in The Olivet Plan. All activities at the university are designed to help students deepen their sense of responsibility to themselves and others, and engage students from the moment they walk on campus.

The University of Olivet campus is located in south central Michigan, 30 miles south of Lansing, and 125 miles west of Detroit. It sits on a rolling hilltop shaded by huge maple and oak trees in the city of Olivet, a community of about 1,700 citizens. An ideal university community, Olivet provides both the comforts of small town living and the convenience of metropolitan life nearby.

Accreditation

The University of Olivet is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with a reaffirmation of accreditation awarded in 2017 for the maximum ten-year period. A copy of the most recent Institutional Annual Report and Institutional Evaluation Report are available in the Office of the President. Questions about accreditation may also be directed to: The Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604.

The University of Olivet’s RN-BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Inquiries may be directed to Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street Northwest, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001.

Heritage, History and Purpose

Eleven years after founding Oberlin College, “Father” John J. Shipherd led a band of 39 missionaries to create a college and village in the wilderness of south-central Michigan in 1844. Remembering that the biblical Mount of Olives was a center of piety, morality and learning, the missionaries named both the college and village Olivet.

Today, The University of Olivet is one of two institutions affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the congregations of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. Each denomination emphasizes personal freedom and democratic practices, which are at the core of liberal arts education. Sharing the ecumenical commitment of both denominations, The University of Olivet is a place of dynamic teaching of the liberating divine law represented by the Torah, which is included in the university seal. The seal also carries the phrase Pro Christo et Humanitate, a symbol of Olivet’s commitment to foster compassionate relationships in an educational community serving humanity. The University of Olivet’s purpose persists as stated in the first catalog:

We wish to have it distinctly understood that the whole object of this institution is, has been, and we hope ever will be, the education of young men and women, especially such as are not rich in this world’s goods. Having no partisan or sectarian interests to subserve, we wish simply to do them good 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.

Early Olivetians embodied the innovative approach represented in Olivet’s ideals, goals and primary purpose. Excelling in a wide array of disciplines and activities, Olivet alumni and faculty were among the most distinguished leaders of their time. Olivet alumni were included among the ranks of the first Rhodes Scholars. Other influential alumni provided leadership in founding the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Further assisting in the development of exceptional education systems, two Olivet professors on leave spanned 25 years as State of Michigan superintendents of public instruction. Between 1934-44, the college gained a national reputation for excellence by hosting many of the country’s prominent writers and artists to teach or participate in workshops and short courses. Olivet also was renowned for the introduction of a tutorial education plan similar to Oxford University during this time.

Olivet, along with two other colleges, formed the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1888, the oldest intercollegiate athletic association in the nation. The University of Olivet continues to sponsor many intercollegiate sports.

Early in its existence, Olivet became a leader in literary societies, common on campuses in the 1800s. In fact, Olivet retains six such organizations in place of national fraternities and sororities. The Phi Alpha Pi Fraternity began as the Olivet Lyceum in 1847 and in 1882 dedicated the building still in use. Founded at Olivet in 1847, the Soronian Society exists as the oldest collegiate sorority in the continental United States. The Soronian house was dedicated in 1909. The Adelphic Alpha Pi Society began in 1862, initially calling itself “Clever Fellows,” and in 1889 dedicated the building still in use. Sigma Beta Sorority was founded in 1907 and completed its present building in 1963. The Alpha Lambda Epsilon Society was formed as a sorority in 1922, acquired its present building in 1965, and in 1975 became the first coeducational society on campus. Kappa Sigma Alpha was founded in 1922, acquired a building in 1931, closed for many years, and reopened its house in 1955. Kappa Sigma Alpha is currently in the process of building a new house. Five additional Greek societies have been founded since the mid-1990s and continue to serve our students.

In 1993, the faculty collaboratively developed the university’s current academic vision, Education for Individual and Social Responsibility. Endorsed unanimously by the board of trustees, the vision was designed to fully infuse the concept of responsibility throughout the entire structure of our educational programs and campus life. The following year, the faculty articulated a set of learning outcomes derived from the academic vision. The faculty then developed The Olivet Plan, a comprehensive set of curricular and co-curricular initiatives implemented in the fall of 1995.

Throughout history, the university community has remained dedicated to the primary objectives Olivet’s’ founders set out to achieve. Offering multiple areas of study, Olivet continues to meet and exceed the needs of students who attend the university. Under the leadership of current President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., the university recently reached two extraordinary milestones – the strong completion of the 2020 and Beyond Strategic Plan and the Responsible Learners - Responsible Leaders comprehensive campaign. Four key strategic areas were identified in this campaign: the student experience, athletics, campus and community life and sustainability for the future. The Roznowski Learning Commons, The Gruen Engagement Center, and the planned student center bring together our diverse campus community to socialize and collaborate. More than 20 new programs have been added or expanded over the course of this strategic planning period, including Gospel Choir, the return of the Marching Comets, the RN-BSN pathway, several new athletic opportunities and more. The president, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees are now working to finalize the next strategic plan, which will continue the u’s commitment to creating a more vibrant, engaging and sustaining The University of Olivet over the next decade.

Reflecting our stronger, bolder, and forward-looking array of new programs and our enrollment of new students. The Olivet College Board of Trustees unanimously approved Olivet College becoming The University of Olivet in May of 2023. Becoming The University of Olivet will strengthen and improve students’ experiences by continuing to serve undergraduate residential students engaged in a deeply immersive experience. The addition of new academic programs and modes of delivery both at the undergraduate and graduate levels will give students more opportunities to grow and learn at Olivet, ultimately better preparing them for a successful future.

University Traditions

Olivet cherishes its traditions, not only as reminders of its historic past, but also as a means of enabling all students to join in the excitement of creating their own and the university’s future through ongoing events. Some of these traditions throughout the academic year include:

Fall Semester

• President’s Opening Convocation - the first convocation of the year in which the history and traditions of the university and the plans for the future are described.
• Stand-Up - a ceremony held at the beginning of each year at which students, faculty, staff and community members are introduced to one another.
• Fall Service Day - held in late September, students, faculty and staff participate in service projects to benefit the school and surrounding communities.
• Homecoming - each fall, parents, friends and alumni are welcomed back to campus to celebrate Homecoming. Students participate by organizing and participating in the Homecoming court competition, Midnight Breakfast, alumni gatherings, Greek open houses, music, athletic events and much more.

Spring Semester

• Greek Society New Member Intake Process – held each year from late January through early February, Greek societies recruit students to join their organizations. A traditional period of organizational learning, bonding and building of organizational spirit culminates with the presentation of the pledge class.
• Founders’ Day - a special day in February set aside to commemorate the founding of The University of Olivet in 1844.
• Spring Service Day - held in late March, students, faculty and staff participate in service projects to benefit the school and surrounding communities.
• Multicultural Awards - every spring, the university recognizes the academic achievements of its multicultural students.
• Student Life Awards - every spring, the university recognizes students and employees for their commitment to co-curricular activities.
• Honors Convocation - every spring, the university recognizes the academic achievements of its students.
• Baccalaureate - a special church service for the graduating class and family members, held each year in the Olivet Congregational Church.
• Commencement - a ceremony held each year in May to recognize graduating students.

The University of Olivet Alumni Association

Alumni Association

All Olivet students who complete at least one year of study are enrolled in The University of Olivet Alumni Association. The aims and objectives of the Alumni Association include activities that perpetuate the good name of the university. Other activities promote continuing relationships between the university and its former students, encourage continuing education among alumni, enlist alumni in constructive endeavors on behalf of the university, and foster a sense of responsibility to The University of Olivet and higher education.

Alumni Council

The Alumni Council consists of approximately 20 members elected to four-year terms from the Alumni Association membership. Officers include a president, president-elect and secretary. The objectives of the council are to act in an advisory capacity to the Office of Alumni Relations and to study and formulate plans and policies for the association as a whole.

Office of Alumni Relations

The Office of Alumni Relations serves as the primary liaison between the university and its alumni. This includes the development of internal and external strategies, programs and activities to promote support for The University of Olivet. Such activities include Homecoming, alumni mentoring, student recruitment, tours, golf outings, event receptions and class reunions.

Standards and Expectations for Education at The University of Olivet

The following describe the general expectations for traditional undergraduate residential programs, specialized undergraduate degree completion programs, and graduate programs at The University of Olivet. These guidelines form a conceptual framework that outlines expectations for education in these distinct categories of programs at The University of Olivet. Specific program expectations are determined by the faculty in a student’s field of study. Together, these combined expectations outline the skills, knowledge and abilities graduates will have demonstrated upon successful completion of their specific programs of study.

Faculty and Adjunct Instructor Instructional Qualifications

Instructional qualifications for faculty and adjunct instructors align with Higher Learning Commission (HLC) expectations in the area of faculty credentialing. These qualifications apply to all instructors teaching at The University of Olivet regardless of appointment type, e.g., full-time tenure-track faculty, adjunct instructors, dual credit instructors, and staff instructors. Instructor qualifications are demonstrated through two means: 1) academic credentials, i.e., degrees and coursework and 2) qualification other than academic credentials (or combined with academic credentials) that are appropriate for teaching the content of particular courses.

Residential Undergraduate Programs

The University of Olivet’s residential undergraduate programs serve students who arrive at the university immediately out of high school or who transfer to the university with the intent of completing an undergraduate degree after coursework at a community college. Most students in the traditional residential undergraduate programs enroll as full-time students during their course of study.

Coursework - In addition to studies in the major, all students complete a series of required courses providing common learning and shared experiences. The sequence of required courses in the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum includes coursework in the mathematics, the natural and social sciences, and in the arts and humanities. Students also actively participate in a weekly seminar in their major of study, as well as complete courses fulfilling the university’s senior capstone experience and service learning requirements.

University-Wide Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes - The University of Olivet has clear educational goals for its students that guide and shape the academic programs at the university. Comprehensive educational goals and learning outcomes are grounded in the core philosophy of the institution, outlining the broad knowledge, concepts and skills that every residential undergraduate student should possess upon degree completion. The University-Wide Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes are aligned with the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum and with the university’s academic vision and strategic plan.

Program Learning Outcomes - Program learning outcomes are required for all residential undergraduate major degree programs. To provide students with clear guidance regarding learning goals for each program, program learning outcomes are included in the Academic Catalog for each degree program along with the program description and course requirements. Program learning outcomes are aligned by the faculty to external benchmarks or standards to ensure they are appropriate to the degree or certificate awarded. The program learning outcomes are current and reflect appropriate standards for residential undergraduate levels of performance today. Program learning outcomes are reviewed for quality and appropriateness by the Curriculum Committee when academic programs are initially proposed or revised and as part of the university’s ongoing assessment work.

Outcome Performance Expectations - Residential undergraduate students earning a degree from the institution are expected to demonstrate foundational skills and knowledge in the areas of effective communication and collaboration, critical thinking, liberal arts knowledge, global awareness, ethics and responsibility, and application of knowledge. Students are also required to demonstrate established performance expectations for program-specific learning outcomes developed by the various programs of study at the university. The collective set of university-wide educational goals and learning outcomes and program-specific learning outcomes combine to reflect the skills and abilities a graduate will have developed through the successful completion of a degree in the selected field of study.

Adult Professional/Online Undergraduate Programs

The University of Olivet’s online undergraduate programs serve a diverse community of learners who wish to complete their undergraduate degree online in selected majors. Accelerated study into graduate study in particular areas is available. Students enroll in online courses delivered with attention to relationship-based learning. Students are able to complete their programs through attendance either on a part-time or full-time basis.

Coursework -Requirements for The University of Olivet’s online undergraduate degree programs are fully articulated in the Academic Catalog, including course and credit hour requirements for programs. Online courses adhere to the same syllabus requirements and learning goals as courses offered on campus.

University-Wide Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes - The University of Olivet has clear educational goals for its students that guide and shape the academic programs at the university. Comprehensive educational goals and learning outcomes are grounded in the core philosophy of the institution, outlining the broad knowledge, concepts and skills that every residential and online undergraduate degree program student should possess upon degree completion. The University-Wide Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes are aligned with the university’s vision and strategic plan and are embedded within the coursework of the programs.

Program Learning Outcomes - Program learning outcomes are required for all online undergraduate programs. To provide students with clear guidance regarding learning goals for each program, program learning outcomes are included in the Academic Catalog for each program along with the program description and course requirements. Program learning outcomes are aligned by the faculty to external benchmarks or standards to ensure they are appropriate to the degree or certificate awarded. The program learning outcomes are current and reflect appropriate standards for undergraduate levels of performance today. Program learning outcomes are reviewed for quality and appropriateness by the Curriculum Committee when academic programs are initially proposed or revised and as part of the university’s ongoing assessment work.

Outcome Performance Expectations - Students earning a degree from the institution through enrollment in its online programs are expected to demonstrate foundational skills and knowledge in the areas of effective communication and collaboration, critical thinking, liberal arts knowledge, global awareness, ethics and responsibility, and application of knowledge. Students are also required to demonstrate established performance expectations for the degree program-specific learning outcomes. The collective set of university-wide educational goals and learning outcomes and program-specific learning outcomes combine to reflect the skills and abilities a graduate will have developed through the successful completion of a degree in the selected field of study.

Graduate Programs

The University of Olivet’s graduate programs serve individuals who wish to complete graduate education in a specialized advanced area. Accelerated study from various undergraduate programs is available. Students enroll in online courses delivered with attention to relationship-based learning. Students are able to complete their programs through attendance either on a part-time or full-time basis.

Coursework - Courses at the graduate level require an advanced level of skills and knowledge in a selected field of study. Requirements for master’s degree programs are fully articulated in the Academic Catalog, including total credit hour requirements for programs along with a complete listing of course prerequisites. Delivery of graduate level courses is through an online or blended online delivery approach. Online courses adhere to the same syllabus requirements and learning goals as courses offered on campus.

University-Wide Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes - The University of Olivet has clear educational goals for its students that guide and shape the academic programs at the university. Graduate level educational goals and outcomes reflect advanced levels of skills and knowledge focused within a particular discipline. Graduate-level educational goals and learning outcomes are organized within five broad interrelated categories and are written to be adaptable to support the focus and goals of individual graduate level programs. The graduate level university-wide educational goals and learning outcomes reflect the skills and abilities a successful graduate student have developed through successful completion of a master’s degree in the selected field of study.

Program Learning Outcomes - Every graduate program is required to establish program-specific learning outcomes. To provide students with clear guidance regarding learning goals for each program, program learning outcomes are included in the Academic Catalog for each degree program along with the program description and course requirements. The program learning outcomes are aligned by faculty to external benchmarks or standards to ensure they are appropriate to the degree or certificate awarded. The collective goals and learning outcomes are current and reflect appropriate standards for graduate levels of performance today. Program learning outcomes are reviewed for quality and appropriateness by the Curriculum Committee when academic programs are initially proposed or revised and as part of the university’s ongoing assessment work.

Outcome Performance Expectations - Graduate students earning a degree from the institution are expected to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in the areas of effective communication and collaboration, critical analysis, global, social or cultural diversity, ethics and responsibility, and application of knowledge. Students are also required to demonstrate advanced levels of performance for program-specific learning outcomes. The collective set of university-wide educational goals and learning outcomes, and program-specific learning outcomes combine to reflect the skills and abilities a graduate student will have developed through the successful completion of a degree in the selected field of study.

Thesis, Master’s Project or Comprehensive Examination Requirement - Graduate students may complete a thesis, master’s project or comprehensive examination to fulfill degree requirements. Details regarding the expectations for completion of this requirement for each degree program are included in the Academic Catalog.