By Sophie Hills

In the event that Illinois extends the stay-at-home order through the end of the year, Principia
will be paying close attention accreditation rules for distance learning, said Meggan Madden, dean of academics, this afternoon at the Employee Town Hall that dealt with questions about a wide range of eventualities.

Principia isn’t accredited for distance education, said Madden: “If 75% of a class is online, that’s when we move into distance education.” said Madden, noting that Principia didn’t have to worry about venturing into distance education this semester, because only 30% of instruction is occurring online.

“There is a possibility, if for some reason we have to go remote, that we can come back [to classes on campus],” said John Williams, interim president of the college.

What is definitive, said Williams, is that if students are allowed back to campus after a remote start to the semester, all students would be required to return. The tentative return date would be around the fall break time.

The possibility of beginning the fall semester remotely seems unlikely, said Madden, but college
leadership are paying close attention to developments.

Colleges across the country are considering possibilities from deferring the start of the fall semester to opening online, should stay-at-home orders hold into the fall.

The employee town halls take place weekly at 1 p.m. CDT. They average over 150 attendees,
said Williams.

Other points addressed:

• The college has received permission to reinstutite a $5,000 one-time transfer scholarship, said Williams. There were about 70 students admitted to Principia for next year, but who chose to enroll elsewhere, and the scholarship can be offered to them.
• There are limited jobs on campus for the summer, and Principia will give priority to current college students (including incoming freshmen who’ve paid their deposit).
• If graduating international students haven’t yet received their OPT paperwork, they can, and typically do, stay on campus until they get it, said Madden.
• The community metaphysical sharing page is a valuable support to everyone to stay metaphysically fit, said Madden. Maya Dietz, dean of students, added that EMCs continue to be held on Fridays at 11 a.m. CDT. CSO meetings are held Wednesdays at 11 a.m. CDT, said Williams.