College Campus Status: Open but Restricted

May 29, 2020

John Williams
Interim College President

Today, the state of Illinois will begin relaxing the statewide restrictions, including the order to shelter-in-place. The state will transition to Phase 3 for reopening, which enables certain businesses to open to the public. It’s important to note that Illinois’ Phase 3 guidelines are not the same as the regulations that are in place for St. Louis County where the School and Business Office are located.

First and foremost, let's remember where we look for guidance as we respect our neighbors, rely on God, and follow the requirements of governmental authorities. “Let us reassure ourselves with the law of Love” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 384).

As of today, Friday, May 29, the College campus will be on an “Open but Restricted” status. This status is almost identical to the campus status immediately prior to the establishment of the governor’s original “stay-at-home” order in March.

What does this mean for the College community?

This means that Principia College is open for ongoing operations of the institution during the summer, including activities such as research, course preparation, administrative tasks, facilities maintenance and improvement, and program development. 

However, access will be limited only to employees (including summer student workers), campus residents, and authorized vendors/contractors. Until the state authorizes further opening, the campus will not be open to non-business visitors, non-residents, or non-employees. Personal activities, such as dining and athletics facilities, will remain restricted or closed for the immediate future.

Unlike St. Louis County, which requires monitoring of health, the state of Illinois has issued recommended guidelines. For Principia to be as safe as possible and follow best practices, we ask that these requirements be followed on campus:

• If you are ill or have symptoms of an illness, please stay at home.
• Face coverings should be worn when unable to maintain six feet of spacing, especially indoors.
• Face coverings should be worn in offices where there is more than one person and in hallways.
• Access to student dormitories is restricted to its residents and the personnel necessary to maintain those buildings.
• Off-campus visitors are not permitted in dormitories or personal residences.
• Access to offices is restricted to employees who work in those buildings and others whose presence is necessary to conduct business. 
• All business should be conducted remotely, if possible. We expect these additional steps:
  • Limit office capacity to 50 percent of normal capacity or to a single person, if possible
  • Minimize number and length of in-person meetings
  • Avoid walk-in traffic and encourage making prior arrangements for visits
  • Maintain social distance of at least six feet
  • Consider wearing a mask if proper social distancing cannot be maintained

Here are some additional decisions related specifically to Principia:

• Employee access will be permitted for the Mail Room.
• Dining Services will continue its takeout service for resident student workers and resident counselors. The Dining Room will remain closed. As restrictions are lifted, we will consider expanding services.
• The indoor athletics facilities, including Crafton and Hay, will remain closed at this time. We will consider the next steps to safely opening indoor facilities, including weight rooms or exercise areas. 
• Outdoor athletics facilities will be open for use, with two limitations:
  • No groups of more than 10.
  • Activities must not include physical contact among participants.
• Principia is lifting its restriction on domestic Principia-sponsored travel, as needed, with supervisor approval.
  • Given new restrictions imposed on international travel by the United States government, international travel sponsored by Principia remains prohibited until the end of June.   
  • Principia does not restrict employee or student personal travel, regardless of destination. However, Principia reserves the right to require a 14-day self-quarantine should travel include areas designated as higher risk.

Our goals are to reduce opportunities for contact or exposure and to facilitate contact tracing should an employee or student have symptoms. We seek to rely on God, obey the law, and respect our neighbors through Christian behavior.  

Principia College will follow the state regulations, strive to follow state guidelines and recommended practices, and will cautiously open. We encourage respect for the concern of others. Our ability to work within these guidelines will help guide us as we transition to our goal of in-person teaching in the fall semester.

The campus status and these guidelines remain in effect until further notice.

If there are any questions regarding this announcement or a need for guidance, please call Workplace Safety Director David Pate at 618.374.5474 or email david.pate@principia.edu.