Welcome Week Calendar

Principia College

Spring 2023

For new students starting in January 2023, please watch this space. We’re so excited have you here on campus soon!

December 15^th –  Please regularly check your Principia email. To get that account, look for an email to your personal account from Chris Saucedo on December 15^th. After you have had your Principia email created, all communication will go to your Principia email.

Thursday January 12^th – Arrival day for International students
Questions? Please be in touch with ISPaSO and Niklas with questions.

Tuesday, January 17

9:00 am–12:00 pm
Arrival on campus

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

1:00–3:15 pm
Meet Student Life Staff and Great Panther Escapade
Meet Student Life Staff, then download the Great Game app, join a team and play the Great Panther Escapade. It's like Pokemon Go meets an Escape Room. Get to know the campus and some Principia traditions with your new classmates.
Location: Meet at Wanamaker Hall (end at Hay Field House)

3:15–3:45 pm
Hot Chocolate at New Student House
Location: Jo McNabb house (East Quad)
        
3:45–5:15 pm
Technology Workshop
Welcome to Principia! During this session the academic technology team will help you get acquainted with the systems you will need for the rest of welcome week and the rest of semester. The following are things we will cover with you: Getting your devices connected to wifi; Changing your password; Activating all your accounts including, email, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365; Setting you up to be able to print using Principia’s network of printer/copiers; Introducing you to Canvas our Learning Management System. Please bring your laptop (if you have one) and your student ID card to this session. 
Location: School of Nations 101 (first floor)

5:15–5:30 pm
Bubble bus ride to Hutchinson House 
Location: Pick up/loading from Library parking lot 

5:30–7:00pm
President’s Welcome and Dinner
Meet college President John Williams and his wife, Missy. Enjoy dinner at Hutchinson House
Location: Hutchinson House, Edgecliff Road

7:00–9:00 pm
Student Life social event

---

Wednesday, January 18

7:30–9:15 am
Breakfast
Location: Dining Room, Howard Center 

9:30–11:30 am
College Kick-Off
Interactive presentation that introduces students to the educational opportunities at Principia College and helps them begin to envision a meaningful college experience.
Location: School of Government 257/259 (second floor)

Academic Tour – Walking tour of all classroom buildings and academic student services.

11:30 am–1 pm
Lunch 
Location:  Dining Room, Howard Center

1:00–2:00 pm
Student Life onboarding activities (Principia Community)

Maybeck/History Movie and Tour (Heather Holmes) 
Sit back and relax with some of the interesting stories from Principia College’s history. Then take a tour of the spaces that make the college you’ve chosen a unique place to live and work.

Location: Wanamaker + tour

2:00–2:30 pm
Meet Your RCs/see their houses
(RCs walk students to Cox)

Description: Meet your RC and get a tour of your new house.

2:30–4:00 pm
Intro to D&D and SpiritualiTEA
Description: Join the Spiritual Life Program Manager and Interim Dean of Students for tea and cookies and engage in interactive conversations that prepare you for character and spiritual discovery in college. 
Location: Cox Cottage (Lilac Lane - West Quad)

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

7:00–10:00 pm
Spiritual + Culinary Nourishment Event
St. Louis trip - Fitz’s Dinner and 1st Church in Saint Louis

---

Thursday, January 19

7:30–9:15 am
Breakfast
Location: Dining Room, Howard Center

9:30–11:30 am
Building a Safe Community
Learn strategies for engaging in healthy relationships while in college, how to avoid safety and conduct issues, and what health supports are available to you. Meet the people and offices that can help you before, during, and after a safety or conduct related experience.
Location: School of Government 257/259 (second floor)

11:30 am–1 pm
Lunch 
Location: Dining Room, Howard Center

1:15–2:35 pm
Writing Connections I
Interact with written and video texts as well as each other through activities that will begin to prepare you for Friday’s Baseline Writing Sample and your Principia
Location: School of Government: Room 251 (second floor)

2:35–2:55 pm
Stretch break/snacks 
Location: School of Government table in hall outside 257/259 (second floor)

2:55–4:15 pm
Preparing for Academic Success
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 an action item which addresses their college success.
Location: School of Government 257/259 (second floor)

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

7:00–9:00 pm
Student Life Social Activity

---

Friday, January 20

7:30–9:15 am
Breakfast
Location: Dining Room, Howard Center

9:30–11:30 am
Writing Connections II
Learn more about Principia’s writing resources and complete the Baseline Writing Sample, which will ask you to make connections between Thursday's texts and activities and your own thoughts and experiences. Bring a charged laptop and power cord plus your notes and handouts from Thursday.
Location: Marshall Brooks Library

11:30 am–1 pm
Lunch w/ RCs
Location: Dining Room, look for House Signs on tables

1:00–5:30 pm
Free Time or Target/Walmart rides 
Location: See your RA or Geoff Hinchman

4:00 pm
Students can move into their permanent houses

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

 

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

During Welcome Week, Academic Advising will host a session called Registration Know-How which will help you understand the process for selecting and registering for classes, and which will lay the groundwork for connecting with your New Student Advisor.

Academic Advising can be found in the School of Government.

INTERNSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

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. 

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) supports students of all academic interests and levels by offering one-on-one sessions, workshops (including regular WISE write-in workspaces and various learning communities), and training in study and time management skills. The Center also offers programming for scholastic enrichment, as well as for-credit courses in writing, and academic literacy/reading for all students. CTL trains and hires writing/research tutors to guide their peers through the paper-writing process and sponsors a student academic peer mentor program. CTL 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.

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.

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.

PHONE SERVICE

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: https://prinweb.principia.edu/phone

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:

TBD

Please note: Students will be able to access their accounts, including the Plus account used in the College Store, beginning on January 24. All purchases during Welcome Week can be paid for using debit card, or credit card.