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Supporting Your Student’s Start at Principia

As your student prepares to begin their journey at Principia College, we want to ensure you have the same important information they’ve received, so you can support them every step of the way.

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Welcome to Principia College

Are you counting down the days until your student arrives at Principia? We are. We are thrilled to have them join our vibrant and inclusive community. As they embark on this new chapter in life, we want to extend a heartfelt welcome to them.

We are confident that at Principia College they will feel the deep love that comes from a community that celebrates wholeness and individuality, and that sees them as unlimited and capable of excellence in all they choose to do here. We are excited to get to your student and the unique talents, perspectives, and aspirations they are bringing with them to Elsah. 

Here they can expect that their creativity, intellect, character, and spirituality will be encouraged and nourished. We are committed to providing a supportive environment where they can achieve all their goals and find great inspiration as a Principian throughout their college journey and beyond.

As a new student, we understand that they may have questions, uncertainties, or even a touch of nervousness. Rest assured that our faculty, staff, and students are here to guide and support them every step of the way. From orientation programs to academic and residential advisors, we have a range of resources in place to ensure your student’s smooth transition and success.

And it all starts with Panther Week...

Welcome Week: A Strong Start

Welcome Week is where your student sets up their new college home, gets to know new peers, and begins to build trust with faculty and staff who will support them throughout their college experience. We believe this week is a critical one for success at Principia College. In fact, arriving on campus for Welcome Week is an expectation set out in our College Catalog. During Welcome Week your student will adjust to life on campus and take their first steps toward academic success.

By the end of Welcome Week, they will:

  • Be settled into their room and House
  • Understand/set up the academic technology they'll be using regularly
  • Be prepared for classes to begin
  • Have trusted faculty and residential staff they can go to for guidance
  • Know how to access academic, mental, and physical support resources
  • Have learned about academic and residential extra-curricular opportunities
  • Have made new friendships
  • Know their way around campus
  • Find inspiration for spiritual discovery
  • Feel like they belong and are valued at Principia College

For details about Welcome Week activities, please see the schedule of events.

Pre-Arrival Requirements Checklist

The following information is very important. Please read it carefully.

Every new student will need to complete the following requirements BEFORE arriving on campus for Welcome Week. Your student has received specific due dates. Note that for some requirements, students will not have access to their rooms until the requirement is completed.

  • Housing option form
  • Sexual violence prevention and substance use trainings (*required for room access)
  • Magnus health portal information/forms
  • Insurance waivers, if needed (waiving early is highly recommended)

Your student should also regularly check their email for additional action items that may be required from advising, athletics, or other departments.

We understand that there is much to do before the first day on campus. We are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Office of Student Life for more information or with any questions you may have.

We look forward to welcoming your student to campus soon and partnering with you in supporting their success.