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Panther Week Calendar

New International Student Orientation (NISO)

Please check back frequently as these pages will continue to be updated in the coming weeks.

Saturday, August 9, 2025

9:00 am - 9:00 pm
New International students may arrive on campus and move into their temporary Orientation house. Students will move into their permanent houses on August 14.

2:00 - 4 :00 pm Campus Tour
Location: Meet your RA's at Williams House (Lilac Lane)
 
5:30- 7 PM Dinner
Location: Williams House

Sunday, August 10, 2025

New International students continue to arrive on campus and move into their Orientation house.

7:30-8:50 am: Continental Breakfast
Location: Williams House
 

10:15 am  Depart for Church in Elsah Village

12 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
Location:  at Orientation House
 
1:30-5 PM: Raging Rivers Waterpark  (optional)
Location:  Depart from Williams House
 
6:00 - 7:30 PM: Welcome Dinner
Location:  Voney (behind Howard & Sylvester houses on West Quad)
Welcome to Principia! Special dinner in Voney with magnificent river views. Hosted by members of Administration and your Student Life department.
 
7:30 PM:  Dessert Meet & Greet with Student Life and an important Campus Safety Briefing
Location:  Voney
 
Monday through Thursday, August 11 - 14, 2025

 International Student Orientation Schedule will be posted soon!
 


Panther Week! New Student Arrival and Welcome

Thursday, August 14, 2025

8:30 am - 12:00 pm 

New Student Move In Day!

Right after passing through the gatehouse, the Admissions team will greet you and help give campus directions.
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). When you're ready, head to the Howard Center (aka “the concourse”) to pick up your Panther Week Orientation nametag and student ID card, and to learn about essential services in the School of Government building (SG). 
 

9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Campus Security Open

Location: Howard Center, Lower Level
Bring your orientation name tag 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
 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Essential Student Services
Location: School of Government Offices
Have questions? Staff in these offices are ready to meet with new students and families
  • Academic Advising & Success Office, SG 264

  • Careers & Internships Office, SG 055

  • Student Life Offices, Main Level SG156 (Most Student Life team will be in Howard Center)

  • HR & Student Employment, Located on Terrace Level of School of Government SG 053

  • Financial Aid Office, Located near Main Entrance (Flagpole), School of Government SG 100

  • Registrar's Office, Located near Main Entrance (Flagpole), School of Government SG 118

  Location:  Howard Center, Tables in Main Concourse 
  • Dining Services: Our Dining Services team will be available to answer questions about food services and the student meal plan.

  • College Store Account

  • Mail & Copy Services (Howard Center, lower level):  Pick up any packages and learn where your student mailbox is located.

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

  • Skills for Bridging the Gap Retreat -  Information for First Years retreat August 15 - 17

 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
 Lunch 
Dining Services is cashless: please use debit/credit cards, mobile pay
Location: Howard Center, Dining Services
 
 1:00 - 3:00 pm 
New Student Athlete Orientation
Athlete RA’s & New Student Athletes playing a Fall sport 
Location: Wanamaker Hall

 

1:30 - 4:00 pm 
Room Set-Up & Target/Shopping Runs 
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, we will be providing van runs to Target and Walmart. These shopping runs leave at 1:30pm from the flagpole outside the School of Government (parking lot side of the building) and will return to campus by 4:00pm. 


1:30 - 3:00 pm  (All parents & families welcome) 
Historic Principia: A Presentation and Campus Tour
Location: Perry Lounge (Howard Center)
 
Meet in Perry Lounge for a short presentation on Principia’s history. Then step off for an easy-paced walking tour of the campus and its Maybeck buildings. (Golf carts are available for those who need it). See the spaces where you or your student will be taking classes, performing, and playing. Learn about our famous Maybeck architecture and see firsthand what makes Principia College such a beautiful and unique place to live and learn.
 
5:30 - 7:15 pm 
St Louis Style BBQ Dinner
Location: McVay Center for the Performing Arts
 
All new students and families are invited to attend a free BBQ Dinner from one of St. Louis’ great BBQ restaurants. (Not to worry! We have many vegan and vegetarian options too) Meet outside of McVay on the patio and build community with new students and families, residential staff, and college administrators. 
 
7:15 -7:20 pm 
President’s Welcome (All are welcome)
Location: McVay Center for the Performing Arts
 Incoming interim President, Dr Meggan Madden will kick-off orientation week. 
 
7:30 - 9:00 pm 
Keynote Speaker: Ken Nwadike, Jr.
Ken E. Nwadike, Jr. is an American documentary filmmaker, motivational speaker, and peace activist popularly known as the Free Hugs Guy. Ken is the founder of the Free Hugs Project, which gained popularity as he made major news headlines for his peacekeeping efforts and de-escalation of violence during protests, riots, and political rallies. His motivational and inspiring message explores the power of positive human interaction and ways to bridge the racial divide by spreading love.
Location: McVay Center for the Performing Arts

 

9:30 - 10:15 pm 
House Safety Briefing Meeting (Required)
Location:  Individual Houses 


Friday through Sunday, August 15 - 17, 2025

8:00 - 9:00 am: Breakfast
Location:  Dining Services

 

9:45 am - 10:00 am:  Morning Inspiration & Information
Location:  McVay Center for the Performing Arts
 
10:00 am - 12:00 pm: New Parent/Guardian, Friends & Family Sessions (TBD)
Location: McVay Center for the Performing Arts
 
10:00 am - 11:55 am:  Bridging the Gap Session 1 (students only)
Session #1 "Why Build Bridges"
Location: Wanamaker
 
12:00 pm - 12:55 pm Lunch
Location: Dining Services
 
1:00 pm:  Send Off for Bridging the Gap Retreat!
All parents/guardians, friends and families are invited to "cheer on and send off" our new students as they depart for their Bridging the Gap retreat in Lebanon, MO.
 

Skills for Bridging the Gap Retreat, Lebanon, MO

All new students will participate in an off-campus pre-orientation retreat called “Skills for Bridging the Gap.” Skills for Bridging the Gap is a program designed by Interfaith America. The curriculum has been implemented at both faith-based and secular colleges and universities across America to great success. It gives students skills to engage with people across deep divides, grounded in an understanding of each other’s core religious and spiritual worldviews.

During the retreat, students participate in a series of workshops designed to help them explore why they might want to build bridges with others; how to listen deeply; how to share stories about their values and perspectives; and how to navigate tension constructively and engage in difficult conversations. 

Full Itinerary for Skills for Bridging the Gap Retreat can be found here.

Packing List for Bridging the Gap Retreat can be found here.

 
5:00 pm:  Arrive at CedarS Camps, Lebanon, MO
                             Welcome Meeting
                             Unpack in Cabins, Breakout Groups
 
 

Monday, August 18, 2025

6:30 am - 8:30 am:  Fall Sports Athletics Practices
 
7:30 am  -- 9:30 am:  Breakfast
Location: Dining Services
 
10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Off-campus shopping run
Vans leave from the flagpole parking lot outside the School of Government building.

12:00 - 1:30pm: Lunch
Location: Dining Services

1:00 - 3:00 pm: Off-campus shopping run
Vans leave from the flagpole parking lot outside the School of Government building.
 
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm:  Writing Center: FYE-Exempt Baseline Writing sample
Description: Transfer students Only - exempt from the First-Year Experience (FYE) program will write a "baseline" essay as part one of their all-college Writing Program proficiency requirement. Students need to bring a charged laptop to this session.
Location: Library, Marshall Brooks Classroom - 3rd Floor

3:00 - 5:00 pm: Off-campus shopping run
Vans leave from the flagpole parking lot outside the School of Government building.
 
4:30 - 6:30 pm:  Athletics Practices
 
7:30 pm:  Aquatic Adventures!
Grab your swimsuit and a towel and head over to Hexberg lawn for slip-n-slides, lawn games and other water fun, plus grills will be on for burgers/dogs & snacks
Location: Hexberg Tennis Center front lawn

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

6:30 - 8:30 am:  Athletics Practices
 
8:00 - 9:30 am:  Breakfast
Location: Dining Services
 
9:45 - 10:00 am:  Morning Inspiration & Information
Location:  Wanamaker
 
10:00 -  10:50 am: Deans' Welcome 
Welcome to Principia! Dean of Academics, Dean of Students, Dean of Admissions and Athletic Director share their thoughts and visions for a successful year.
Location: Wanamaker Hall
 
11:00 am - 11:50 am:  Academic Tours
Description: Decode the locations on the course schedule to find out where your classes will be held and learn about other important locations, including sources for support.
Location: Wanamaker Hall
 
12:00 pm - 12:55 pm:  Lunch
Location: Dining Services
 
1:00 pm -1:50 pm: Introduction to the New Academic Centers
Location: Wanamaker
 
2:00 - 2:50 pm: Academic Fair & Student Support Tables (Wholeness & Spiritual Life)
Location: Black Box Theatre (Merrick/Davis Building)
 
3:00 - 3:50 pm:  Open Time
 
4:00 - 6:00 pm: Athletics Practices
 
5:30 - 7:00 pm Dinner
Location: Dining Room
 
7:00 pm:  Athletics Evening Activity
Location:  Hay Field house
 
6:30 pm:  Non-Athlete Movie Night!
Location: Meet at Flagpole 

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

6:30 - 8:30 am:  Athletics Practices
 
8:00 - 9:30 am:  Breakfast
Location: Dining Room
 
9:45 am - 10:00 am:  Morning Inspiration & Information
Location:  Wanamaker
 
10:00 - 10:30 am: Academic Integrity & Expectations
Location: Wanamaker Hall
 
10:30 - 11:00 am:   Intro to Student Employment
Location: Wanamaker
 

ROTATION SESSIONS - WEDNESDAY

Students will break out into three groups and rotate the following workshop sessions:

  • Intro to Library Services
  • Academic Tech
  • Student Life: Intro to Campus Culture & Community Standards - This session is designed to introduce you to the values, expectations, and shared responsibilities that shape our college culture. You will also be introduced to the Foundations of Character & Community Seminar (C&C) which is a graduation requirement.
 

11:10 am - 12:00 pm: Rotation Session 1

12:00 - 1:00pm: Lunch
Location:  Dining Services

1:00 - 1:50 pm: Rotation Session 2

2:00 - 2:50 pm: Rotation Session 3

3:00 - 4:00 pm Open time

4:00 - 6:00 pm: Athletics Practices

5:30 - 7:00 pm Dinner

 
7:30 pm:   Gratitude Session
Location:  Chapel
 
8:30 pm:   Dessert: Taste of St. Louis and Fitz's Floats!
Location: Cox Cottage (West Quad, Lilac Lane)
 

Thursday, August 21, 2025

6:30 - 8:30 am:  Athletics Practices
 
8:00 - 9:30 am:  Breakfast, Dining Room
 
9:45 am - 10:00 am:  Morning Inspiration & Information
Location: Wanamaker
 
10:00 am - 11:00 am: History of Principia and Where Our Students Fit in Today
led by the Interim College President and Director of Belonging and Equity
Location: Wanamaker

 

ROTATION SESSIONS - THURSDAY 
Students will break out into three groups and rotate the following workshop sessions:
 
  • Student Life: All the Cool Stuff You Need to Know!
  • Careers & Internships
  • Advising and Academic Success Center (AASC)

11:10 am - 12:00 pm: Rotating Session 1

12:00 - 1:00 pm: Lunch
Location:  Dining Services

1:00 - 1:50 pm:  Rotating Session 2

2:00 - 2:50 pm: Rotating Session 3

3:00 - 4:00 pm: Open time
 
4:30 - 6:30 pm:  Athletics Practices
 
5:30 - 7:00 pm:  Dinner, Dining Room
 
7:30 pm:  Athletics Evening Activity
Location:   TBD
 
7:30 pm:  Non-Athletes Evening Activities
Location:  Meet at Flagpole (School of Gov)

Friday, August 22, 2025

6:30 - 8:30 am:  Athletics Practices
 
8:00 - 9:30 am:  Breakfast, Dining Room
 
9:45 -10:00 am:  Morning Inspiration & Information
Location:  Wanamaker
 
10:00 - 11:50 am:  House Orientation Activity
Location: Your Permanent House
 
12:00 - 1:00 pm:  Lunch
Location: Dining Room
 
1:50 - 2:30 pm:  HERI & Orientation Surveys
Students must have a charged laptop to complete this session.
Location:  McVay
 
2:40 - 3:50 pm: Real Talk: College Q&A with Recent Grads
Straight from the Tassel! Ask recent graduates whatever is on your mind: how to make the most of your college experience, how to contribute to the Principia College and your house community and maximize your success at Principia!
Location:  McVay 
 
4:00 - 6:00 pm:  Athletics Practices
 
5:30 - 7:00 pm:  Dinner
 
7:30pm Meet at Flagpole to board bus for Evening Activity
 
 

Saturday, August 23, 2025

TBD
 
Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
 

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 & SUCCESS CENTER (AASC)

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 & Success Center can be found in the School of Government SG 264.

CAREERS & INTERNSHIPS 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 3rd floor of the Marshall Brooks Library. Please stop by! 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, maker space, podcasting studio, and a high-speed scanner. The library participates in the I-Share system with 93 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 87,000 electronic journals and over 700,000 e-books through its website.  

The library building is located just off the Chapel Green and will be open during Panther 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 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, and the staff is happy to help you and answer any questions.
The Registrar’s Office is across from Admissions in 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 Main 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/employ info 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 2024-2025 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, 2024, 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)

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.