Welcome Week Calendar

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023

7:00 - 9:00 am
Athletics Practice

8:00 - 9:30 am 
Breakfast
Location: Howard Center - Dining Services

9:00 am - 1:00 pm 
New Student Move In Day!

The Admissions team will greet you at the gatehouse and Residential Life staff will welcome  you at your House (Dorm). Find your room, meet your roommate and residential support staff, including your Resident Coordinator (RC) and your Resident Advisor (RA). Then visit the Howard Center (aka “the concourse”) to learn about essential services: 

9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Campus Security Open
Location: Howard Center, Lower Level

Bring your nametag to get your School ID and pick up your parking decals and bike registrations, which can be pre-purchased via Marketplace. More information on Campus Security here.

9:30 am - 4:00 pm
College Store Open 
Location: Howard Center, Main level

Essential Student Services 
Open: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Howard Center, Main Level Concourse

• Student Life (Housing, Student Wellbeing and Care Resources, Wholeness Program, Spiritual Life Program) 

• Student Employment

• Dining Services/Meal Plan

• College Store Account

• Financial Aid (Office is also Open in School of Government)

• Mail & Copy Services (lower level)

• Registrar's Office

11:30 am - 1:00 pm 
Lunch with President Norton and Academic and Student Life administrators 
Location: Howard Center, Pub Patio 

Enjoy a free lunch for new students and their families on the Pub Patio, outside the Howard Center.  

1:00 - 4:00 pm 
Room Set-Up 
Target/Shopping Runs - with RAs

New Students will have plenty of time to set up and settle into their rooms. Your RC and RA(s) will be roaming the halls to get to know you better and provide assistance if needed. 

If you need anything extra, RAs will be providing van runs to Target and Walmart. These shopping runs leave at 1:00pm from the flagpole outside the School of Government (parking lot side of the building) and will return to campus by 4:00pm. 

4:30 - 6:30 pm 
Athletics Practices

6:30 - 8:00 pm 
BBQ Dinner
Location: Cox Auditorium Patio

All new students and families are invited to attend a free outdoor BBQ Dinner from one of St. Louis’ great BBQ restaurants. Meet outside of Cox Auditorium on the patio and build community with new students and families, residential staff, and college administrators. 

8:00  - 8:15 pm 
President’s Welcome & Inspirational Message (All are welcome)
Location: Cox Auditorium

President Daniel Norton will kick-off orientation week. Organ prelude by Dr. Rose Whitmore.

8:30 - 9:30 pm 
Performance: African Soul International
Location: Cox Auditorium

African Soul International is a high-energy, interactive Kenyan dance troupe that presents and preserves the best of African culture through the dances, songs, rhythms, ​and stories of the African and African-American experience.

10:00 pm (Required for new students)
RA Hall Meeting
Location: Your Houses

---

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2023

Student Services—Sunday, Aug. 20 Hours

College Store Open
Location: Howard Center, Upper Level
11:30 am - 3:00 pm 

---

7:00 am - 8:45 am 
Athletics Practice

9:00 - 10:15 am 
New Student and Families Pancake Breakfast & Spiritual Life Program Presentation
Location: Dining Room outfield, Howard Center

For new students and their families. Come eat together and hear from Roger Gordon, Director of Spiritual Life Programs and College Chaplain, about spiritual life on campus. 

10:30 am - 11:30 am (required for new students)
Small Group Faith Conversations 
For: All New Students
Location: Dining Room, Howard Center

This student-only event will introduce new students to the diverse spiritual and religious conversations supported at Principia College. Students may choose from a variety of small group discussions such as “What is Christian Science?”, “Making Christian Science Your Own”, “Embracing an Interfaith Community”, “Happiness Practices”, and others.

11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch
Location:  Dining Room, Howard Center
                  Mobile pay/credit cards accepted

1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Shopping runs
Location: Vans leave outside of SG Flagpole

Additional Target and Walmart shopping runs for students. Leave at 1:30pm from the flagpole outside the School of Government (parking lot side of the building).  

3:45 pm 
Parents/Families Depart

4:00 pm - 5:45 pm (required for new students)
Games on the Blue
Location: Crafton Athletic Center

Get to know your peers in our wacky, fun, and inclusive competitions at our 100,000 sq ft indoor Athletic Center. Bring a water bottle and dress in athletic attire.

5:45 pm - 6:45 pm
Burgers & Hot Dogs on the Grill for Dinner
Location: Crafton parking lot

8:00 pm - 8:30 pm (required for new students)
Talk: Travis Thomas 
Location: Chapel
Presenter:  Travis Thomas, Leadership and Team Development Specialist at United States Soccer Men's National Team

Presenter Travis Thomas has worked with the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Georgia Football, and most recently, Men’s US Soccer National Team. Begin your Principia journey with inspiration from his unique experiences and words of wisdom.

8:30 - 9:15 pm 
Desserts at the Marshall Brooks Library Patio
Location: Marshall Brooks Library

Enjoy local desserts on the Marshall Brooks library patio - venture into the Library and up to the 3rd floor to the Marshall Brooks Room for fun selfies and beautiful night views of the Chapel and Chapel Green

9:15 - 10:00 pm (required for new students)
House Orientation Meetings
Location: Individual Houses

---

MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023

7:00  - 9:00 am
Athletics Practice

8:00  - 9:30 am 
Breakfast 
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

10:00 - 10:20 am (required for new students)
Academic Welcome Keynote
Location: Wanamaker Hall
Presenter: Dean of Academics, Dr. Meggan Madden

10:30 am - 11:30 am (required for new students)
Academic Tour of Academic Buildings
Location: Starts at Wanamaker Hall

Take a tour of key spaces for your academic success. Students will get to meet academic support staff.

11:30 - 1:00 pm Lunch
Location: Howard Center, Dining Room 

1:00 - 2:00 pm (required for new students)
RA Special Presentation: Skits!
Location: Wanamaker Hall
Presenters: RA’s

Get a student-eye view of campus life in these hilarious RA skits! 

2:00 - 2:45 pm (required for new students)
Get to Know Your New Student Advisor
Location: Wanamaker & Leonard Hall

Brief opening remarks from the Advising and Academic Success Center and then learn who your new official New Student Advisor is. Meet in groups with your New Student Advisor for 30-45 minutes for get-to-know-you conversations. Afterwards, New Student Advisors will host new students at the academic fair.

2:45 pm - 4:00 pm (required for new students)
Academic Fair  
Location: Holt Gallery, School of Nations classrooms on main floor

Meet the faculty and learn about the academic offerings: 25+ majors, minors, courses, abroads, etc.

4:30  - 6:30 pm 
Athletics Practice

5:30 - 7:00 pm 
Dinner
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

8:00 - 10:00 pm (required for new students)
Campus Hot Spots & Lawn Party
Location: Chapel Green

Enjoy a lawn party with music, slip and slide kickball, and other games plus take tours to the campus "hot spots".

---

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022

7:00 - 9:00 am 
Athletics Practice

8:00 - 9:30 am 
Breakfast 
Location: Howard Center, Dining Room

10:00 am - 11:20 am (required for new students)
Rotating Session A  
Sessions & Locations:

1.  Intro to Academic Tech - learn about Canvas, Outlook, have laptops checked
   Location:  Holt Gallery
   Presenter: Christian Borja

During this session you will learn how to access Principia’s technology resources. You will learn to access Google Workspace, Office 365, and the Canvas learning management system. You will learn how to set up your class notifications, submit assignments, and other important items to get you ready for your first day of school. Please bring your laptop computer. If possible, make sure Google Chrome is installed on your computer: download Chrome at: https://www.google.com/chrome/ 

2.  How to Library! - Learn about iShare and all the Library resources
Location: Marshall Brooks Library

Meet the library staff and tour our study spaces, classrooms, and digital projects room; get acquainted with your library account; and familiarize yourself with finding digital and physical materials in our five-floor library building.

3. Preparing for Academic Success
Location: School of Government Rooms 257/259
Students will conduct a short self-assessment of their skills for academic success. In an interactive session, success strategies such as time management, organization, study skills, understanding course/assignment expectations, and communicating effectively will be explored. Information will be shared on supports available. Students will identify one thing they can do to help themselves succeed.

 

Transfer Student Lunch with Dr. Peter Van Lidth de Jeude
Location: Glassed in Dining Room  (look for signage)
Transfer students exempt from FYE will be in GDR 1 just past the Cashier station.

1:00 pm - 2:20 pm (required for new students)
Rotating Session B  
Sessions & Locations:

4.  Intro to Academic Tech - learn about Canvas, Outlook, have laptops checked
   Location: Holt Gallery
   Presenter: Christian Borja

During this session you will learn how to access Principia’s technology resources. You will learn to access Google Workspace, Office 365, and the Canvas learning management system. You will learn how to set up your class notifications, submit assignments, and other important items to get you ready for your first day of school. Please bring your laptop computer. If possible, make sure Google Chrome is installed on your computer: download Chrome at: https://www.google.com/chrome/ 

5. How to Library! - Learn about iShare and all the Library resources
Location: Marshall Brooks Library

Meet the library staff and tour our study spaces, classrooms, and digital projects room; get acquainted with your library account; and familiarize yourself with finding digital and physical materials in our five-floor library building.

6. Preparing for Academic Success
Location: School of Government Rooms 257/259

Students will conduct a short self-assessment of their skills for academic success. In an interactive session, success strategies such as time management, organization, study skills, understanding course/assignment expectations, and communicating effectively will be explored. Information will be shared on supports available. Students will identify one thing they can do to help themselves succeed.

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm (required for new students)
Rotating Session C  

Sessions & Locations: (see session descriptions above)

7.  Intro to Academic Tech - learn about Canvas, Outlook, have laptops checked
   Location: Holt Gallery
   Presenter: Christian Borja

8. How to Library! - Learn about iShare and all the Library resources
   Location: Marshall Brooks Library

9. Preparing for Academic Success
   Location: School of Government Rooms 257/259

4:30 - 6:30 pm 
Athletics Practice

5:30 - 7:00 pm
Dinner
Location:  Howard Center, Dining Room

---

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23

7:00 - 9:00 am 
Athletics Practice

8:00 - 9:30 am 
Breakfast 
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

10:00 am - 11:25 am (required for new students)
Rotating Sessions (based on Tuesday’s break out groups)
Location: School of Government Classrooms

1.  Careers & Internships

2.  Student Life Orientation  

3.  Building a Safe Community

11:30 - 1:00 pm
Lunch and Student Employment Jobs Fair
Location: Howard Center, Dining Room - Jobs Fair in a GDR

1:00 - 3:30 pm (required for new students)
Writing Connections I
Location: Holt Gallery, School of Nations main floor
Presenters: Writing Center

Interact with written and video texts as well as each other through activities that will begin to prepare you for Thursday’s Baseline Writing Sample and your Principia courses. Learn about Principia's writing resources.

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm (required for new students)
HIPS: High Impact Practices in Higher Education
Location:  Holt Gallery, School of Nations main floor
Presenter:  Dr. Meggan Madden, Dean of Academics 

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm 
Athletics Practice

5:30 - 7:00 pm 
Dinner
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

7:30 - 8:30 pm (required for new students)
Gratitude Sharing in the Chapel
Location: Chapel
Presenter: Roger Gordon, Director of Spiritual Life Programs & College Chaplain

Learn about the role of gratitude in faith and well-being and the importance of gratitude and testimony in Christian Science. There will be time for sharing your own testimonies of inspiration, healing, and the effects of gratitude in your life. 

8:30 - 9:30 pm 
Taste of St. Louis
Location: Pub Patio

Hang out with your peers and DJ Lazo! Try out some of St. Louis’ favorite treats like Fitz’s Ice Cream Floats and gooey butter cakes!  

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24

7:00 - 9:00 am 
Athletics Practice

8:00 - 9:30 am 
Breakfast 
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

10:00 am - 12:00 pm (required for new students)
Writing Connections II
Location: School of Gov classrooms and overflow: 21st Century Classroom (School of Nations)
Presenters: Writing Center

Learn more about Principia’s graduation writing requirement and complete the Baseline Writing Sample, which will ask you to make connections between Wednesday's texts and activities and your own thoughts and experiences. Bring a charged laptop (and power cord) plus materials handed out Wednesday.

12:00 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

2:00 - 2:15 pm
Break and snack
Location: Leonard Hall (next to Wanamaker)

4:30 - 6:30 pm
Athletics Practice

5:30 - 7:00 pm
Dinner
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall                   

7:30  - 10:00 pm 
House Event Hot Seat
Location: Your House

---

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25

7:00 - 9:00 am 
Athletics Practice

8:00 - 9:45 am 
Breakfast 
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

10:00 am - 11:00 am (required for new students)
Culture
Location: Wanamaker
Presenter:  Allison Terry

Like most things, education takes place within a cultural context. In this session, let’s explore together ways in which culture may influence how we experience academic life at Principia.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm (required for new students)
Solving for Happy
Location: Wanamaker
Is there a formula for happiness and satisfaction? Sandy Pellerano, Director of the Wholeness Program, will share insights from the field of Happiness Studies to foster a positive mindset for the semester ahead.

12:00 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

1:30 - 1:45 pm
Closing/Wrap Up
Location: McVay
Presenters: Deans

1:45 - 3:15 pm (required for new students)
Survey Completion 
Location: McVay

Presenter: Roz Hibbs, Institutional Research

Complete national and college surveys to help the administration improve the experience of new students.

4:30 - 6:30 pm 
Athletics Practice

5:30 - 7:00 pm
Dinner
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

9:00pm - 10:00pm (required for new students)
House Activity 
Location: Meet in your House Living Rooms

House Connection Activities use games, socializing, and other group experiences to build community and foster a sense of positive belonging for all members of your House.

---

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2023

7:00 - 9:00 am 
Athletics Practice

8:00 - 9:45 am 
Breakfast 
Location: Howard Center, Dining Hall

12:00 pm
Women’s Soccer Scrimmage v Milliken
Location: Soccer Field

3:00 pm
Men’s Soccer Scrimmage
Location: Soccer Field

7:15 pm - 12:30 am 
Mississippi Riverboat Cruise & Dance
Location: Meet/Board Coach bus outside School of Government FLAGPOLE  at 7:15 pm 

Get on the coach bus and join your classmates on a St. Louis Classic “Tom Sawyer” riverboat cruise on the Mississippi with great views of iconic St Louis arch and a dance with DJ Lazo!

---

COX COTTAGE

Cox Cottage is a quiet refuge for rest and spiritual renewal for everyone in the Principia College community.  We serve the campus as professionally trained Christian Science nurses who respond to emergency needs, provide a retreat for quiet metaphysical study, and minister with compassion and love when Christian Science healing is desired. Our partnership with Christian Science practitioners to support you in your focus on perfect health and well-being is invaluable and encouraged. We stand ready if you have a need to stay overnight or visit us for cleansing/bandaging needs in our care room.
 
Our purpose is to empower your progress in Christian Science healing. We support everyone with the practical comfort and spiritual atmosphere needed to maintain a joyful and limitless Principia experience. We are available 24/7 and will help you find the resources you need to support your individual treatment choice.
 
As the Christian Science nurse Scope of Services beautifully states, “Fundamental to the ministry of a Christian Science nurse is an active, prayerful confirmation of man’s innate spirituality and responsiveness to God’s harmonious government. This spiritual witnessing undergirds each aspect of the care a Christian Science nurse renders.”

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Academic advisors help you plan the path you’ll take to graduation and provide support along the way. To ensure that your coursework and other academic activities support your goals, they’ll help you:

1. Link your interests, values, strengths, and goals with specific classes, both general education requirements and elective courses
2. Decide on and declare majors and minors
3. Apply for special programs, such as study abroad opportunities
4. Locate and access useful resources
5. Help to problem-solve

Academic Advising can be found in the School of Government.

CAREER CENTER

We can’t wait to meet you! Starting on day one our staff is available to help you discover and explore internships and career interests through a variety of programs, workshops, and one-on-one appointments. Here are some of the ways we can help you prepare for success beyond Principia:

1. Career exploration
2. Internship and job searching
3. Limited financial support for many internships
4. Post graduate job searching and networking
5. Résumé writing
6. Job interviewing assistance 
7. Researching and planning for graduate school
8. We offer an internship class (CAR 201) and a career class (CAR 301) to help you get a jump start on your internship placements and career interests.

Visit our offices in the School of Government. We provide space for you to browse our library and apply online for jobs and internships, as well as phones for you to use during your job searches and interviews. You can also get in touch with us by email. For questions contact Carrie.Silverstock@principia.edu. 

WRITING CENTER

The Writing Center supports students of all academic interests and levels by offering one-on-one sessions and group writing and research support (e.g. WISE write-in workspaces) as well for-credit courses in writing and academic literacy/reading. The Writing Center trains and hires writing/research tutors to guide their peers through the paper-writing process. The Principia writing proficiency requirement (three papers submitted and assessed over the course of a student’s time at Prin) is also overseen by the Center. The Writing Center is located on the 2nd floor of School of Government. See our website for more, including information on signing up to work with writing tutors and contact information and resources.

MARSHALL BROOKS LIBRARY

The Marshall Brooks Library is open daily during the academic term, offering an extensive book collection, DVDs, streaming video titles, private study carrels, reservable rooms for group meetings, presentation suites, and a host of computers, laptops, a printer, and a high-speed scanner. The library participates in the I-Share system with 87 other Illinois libraries which provides our students access to over 38 million items via our daily weekday courier service. The library also offers access to over 47,000 electronic journals and over 430,000 e-books through its website. 

The library building is located just off the Chapel Green and will be open during Welcome Week, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. The library staff looks forward to meeting you!

REGISTRAR’S OFFICE

The Registrar’s Office is the place to go regarding all academic records, including registration, transfer credit, AP credit, and a variety of other academic work. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and the staff is happy to help you and answer any questions.
The Registrar’s Office is in the School of Government.

STUDENT LIFE DEPARTMENT

Student Life is staffed with professionals who love and support this vibrant community! 

This department oversees the campus housing program and a wide variety of programs designed to enrich the experience of students and all members of the College community. There are also programs in place to support students’ rights, welfare, and protection, as well as the prevention and resolution of harassment, sexual harassment/assault, bullying, and other grievances.

The Student Life Department is located on the Terrace level of School of Government.

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

The purpose of the Student Employment program is to give students an opportunity to develop and practice good work habits, learn new skills, contribute to the community, and earn money. Approximately 70 percent of Principia students work on campus during the academic year. Most students work an average of 5 to 15 hours per week, though some occasionally petition to work 15–20 hours per week.

On-campus jobs range from office receptionists and fitness center attendants to sales associates and library assistants. To ensure that our departments can operate efficiently during the academic term, all students new to working on campus are required to work 150 hours in Dining Services, Facilities, or the Biology and Natural Resources Department. These hours must be successfully completed within the first two semesters of employment. Students are, of course, paid for this work.

Interested in working on campus? Contact the student employment coordinator at ext. 5237 or visit principiacollege.edu/employinfo for more information. The Student Employment Office is open weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm Visit the Student Employment Office in the Terrace level of School of Government.

CAMPUS SECURITY

For Emergencies, contact Campus Security at x5111 or 618.374.5111. The Gatehouse is staffed by Security Officers 24-hours a day at this number. To be alerted by text of any threat on campus, text the word YES to 68453. If you see or hear anything unusual on campus, please let someone know: an RC, Student Life, or Campus Security.

Bring your nametag to get School ID, pick up parking decals and bike registrations. These can be pre-purchased via Marketplace.

Vehicle decals for the 2022-2023 school year are available for purchase. The preferred method to purchase your vehicle decal, is to purchase them on the Principia Marketplace, using a credit card.

You can pick the decal up at the Campus Security Office once you have purchased the decal on Marketplace. When picking up the decal at the Campus Security Office, please bring your receipt and driver’s license with you.

All students need to purchase and affix a decal to your vehicle by September 1st, 2022, to access and park on campus.

If you have any questions, please contact Campus Security at 618-374-5470 or 618-374-5473.

To register vehicles and bicycles, or to get a new ID card, visit the Security Office in the lower level of Howard Center between 9am and 4pm, Monday-Friday.

If you have family or friends coming to visit, please send an email to watch.security@principia.edu. This will notify the gate house of the visitor so they can quickly get through the front gate

Our campus is surrounded by beautiful wooded land. We have to be aware that all types of animals inhabit the areas in and around campus. This awareness is especially important when walking or jogging on the trails and walkways throughout campus.

MAIL AND COPY CENTER (DOWNSTAIRS IN HOWARD CENTER)

Mail Services handles all incoming and outgoing mail and packages for the campus and provides limited USPS and UPS services. Incoming mail is delivered to the mailboxes daily (except Sundays and holidays). Recipients of packages or items that cannot fit into mailboxes are notified by email.
Students should have all incoming mail and packages addressed this way:

Your Name
#_ _ _
One Maybeck Place
Elsah, IL 62028
Note: #_ _ _ is your assigned mail box number.

Copy Services provides print, binding, laminating, and fax services. In addition, Design Services creates flyers, signs, and programs for campus events.

Our front window is open during these hours during the school year (unless posted otherwise):

Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–4:15 p.m. ** Closed for Quiet Time **
Sat: 1–3 p.m. (package pickup only)

NOTE: Payments must be made by cash or check ONLY.

Please refer to our Prinweb pages for available services, package pickup and delivery information, and office contacts.

CELL PHONE SERVICE

AT&T provides coverage on campus. Although students find places to make outgoing calls using other carriers, coverage from other companies is poor. To learn about AT&T’s services and discounts for Principia College students, visit principiacollege.edu/att.
To call the College switchboard, dial 618.374.2131. The switchboard is staffed
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
An online directory for faculty, staff, and students can be found at:
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Information Technology (IT) Department provides support for your technical needs while you’re attending Principia College. Help Desk staff members are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Services include help with the use of classroom technologies, connecting your computer or phone to our network, connecting to and using the multifunction printers on campus, getting Principia email, and getting free Microsoft Office 365 software. They can also help you get discounts on educational software and computer purchases. The department is located in Old Watson Room 131, or call ext. 5600 or 618.374.5600. If you have a question, please stop by and let them help.

For more details, visit principiacollege.edu/computers.

COLLEGE STORE HOURS DURING WELCOME WEEK 

During Welcome Week, the College Store (located in Howard Center across from Piasa Pub) will be open during these times:

Saturday, August 19th: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, August 20th: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please note: Students will be able to access their accounts, including the Plus account used in the College Store, beginning after breakfast Saturday, August 26th. All purchases during Welcome Week can be paid for using debit card, or credit card.