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Frequently Asked Questions
The Reunion Weekend is relaxing, fun, educational and full of Principia Panther pride. Every year, participants report that Reunion Weekend surpassed their expectations.
Reunion committee volunteers and Alumni Relations staff work with a variety of campus partners to make your time on campus fun from the moment you arrive.
The information listed below is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during your weekend at Principia College.
- Why does Principia conduct Reunion Weekend?
Principia holds Reunion Weekends every year, either on the St. Louis campus for Upper School alums, or on the Elsah Campus for College alums. The Alumni Relations Office and the Alumni Association Board hope that alums will return to campus, re-engage with the school, bear witness to the great education that Principia offers and renew the “ties that bind”.
- Who comes to Reunion Weekend?
Well, mainly alums that are celebrating a major reunion year (5th – 65th anniversaries of their graduation from Principia). However alums of any year are always welcome to join us for Reunion Weekend. Spouses, friends, children - everyone is welcome.
- Is it true I should only come if it is a special reunion year for me?
No! We have some alums who attend every reunion, every year. Why? Because they love Principia and know that the Reunion is always a great event. They will be warmly welcomed and feel included in all of the activities that we offer.
- Can non-Principia graduates attend?
Sure. Non-Prin graduates, such as spouses or friends of alums, are welcome to attend.
- What role do reunion committee volunteers play in the success of Reunion Weekend?
Our Reunion Committee volunteers play a vital role in bringing back as many alums as possible. These volunteers spend the year leading up to the Reunion calling, emailing and chatting up the Reunion to all of their classmates. The volunteers also plan the “Class Party” for each reunion group. Enthusiastic volunteers make the Reunion happen!
- How can I get in touch with classmates or members of student groups I was involved with as a student?
You may be able to locate some classmates through PrinMail, our on-line directory of Principia alumni and friends (www.prin.edu/prinmail). However, not everyone has a PrinMail account, so you may call the Alumni Relations office at any time to request an address, phone number or email address of a fellow alum. If you were a member of a specific club, activity or sport, you may wish to have a list of other alums that participated. You may request a list of this nature from the Alumni Relations office. You may always email us at alum@prin.edu with your request.
- What do people wear during Reunion Weekend?
During the July Reunion on the Elsah campus, people tend to dress according to the weather (hot, hot, hot). As a rule, the reunion is very casual. People may choose to wear “business casual” attire during the Saturday Evening activities. However, we do not have any strict rules! Wear whatever is comfortable. (No white gloves required!)
- How do I find out what is going on and do I have to go to everything?
On this website, and on our Registration Form which will be mailed out to all re-unioning alums in February, you will find our Schedule of Events. The schedule is tentative leading up to the Reunion. When you arrive on campus, you will receive a complete and official Reunion Program Schedule. You do not have to go to everything! You may pick and choose everyday which activities you would like to attend. (Even though the early morning Bird Walk is always a very popular activity, feel free to sleep in – you are on vacation!)
- Will the Day Care Program and Prin Camp be offered again during Reunion Weekend 2008?
Yes, Day Care will be available for children under the age of seven and Prin Camp will be organized for kids age 7-14. Both programs, this year, will be offered on the Elsah Campus. Children enrolled in day care, stay in the Family Dorm with their parents each night and eat breakfast and dinner with their parents each day (except on Saturday evening). Lunch will be provided at the Day Care Center. The children in day care swim, play organized games, create art projects with an art instructor, and are entertained by highly trained and qualified staff. Parents with young babies or toddlers will receive a pager when they check their child into day care each day – that way we can page you if there is an urgent need. Parents may pick up their child at any time during the day and then return them to Day Care when they wish.
This year, Prin Camp will operate from the Elsah campus, with campers staying in Buck House for the duration of the weekend. The campers will explore attractions in the St. Louis area, as well as swim at Raging Rivers Water Park in Grafton. In the past, the camp has gone to places such as the St. Louis Science Center, the City Museum, and the Arch. We expect that those same places will be visited again, although the camp director will set up the events schedule as the summer approaches. We also plan to have many activities on the Elsah campus for the campers too – such as the climbing wall in the newly renovated Hay Field House or the brand new pool and diving well in the Coach Crafton Athletic Center. They may also visit the observatory or play Frisbee on the Chapel Green. Campers will go through the “Scramble Room” and eat breakfast and dinner in the Dining Room, but may be off campus during lunch.
- What happens if it rains?
Well, we just keep right on going! We operate a shuttle system to get folks around campus fairly quickly – but rain never seems to slow us down. Activities will go on as scheduled, and any outdoor activities will have a “rain contingency plan”. You might want to pack an umbrella, just in case.
- Where can I stay during Reunion Weekend?
All alums are welcome to stay on campus in the dorms, with their reunion class. Most alums find the dorms really fun and nostalgic. We make every attempt to house classes and friends together and you may request a specific roommate. However, if the dorm does not seem appealing to you, you might want to consider staying in a B&B in Elsah or at Pere-Marquette in Grafton. The Alumni Relations Office can provide you with phone numbers for the local hotels and inns.
- Are there accommodations for individuals with special needs?
Yes, we do have accommodations for people with special needs. The Guest House is reserved for alums who may need additional support from a Christian Science nurse. The Alumni Relations office maintains a list of people who need and request a room in the Guest House. We also have additional rooms, in some dorms, that might suit the needs of someone with special needs – we keep these rooms open and available for such circumstances.
- Is there a shuttle from Lambert Airport to Elsah?
Yes, we contract with a limo service called Gem Transportation. GEM will pick up our alums from the Baggage Claim area in the Main Terminal of Lambert Airport, as well as the Baggage Claim Area of the Southwest Airlines Terminal (East Terminal). On the main arrival day, Thursday, July 10, GEM will be picking up our guests from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. A representative from Principia will be stationed in the Baggage Claim areas of both terminals to greet guests, help with luggage, and make sure you are met by a GEM van. Shuttle services must be purchased in advance, so make sure you sign up for a shuttle when you register for the weekend. On Sunday, GEM Transportation will return to the campus and begin picking up guests as early as 6 a.m. for departing flights. GEM will continue to make pick-ups from Elsah until 3 p.m. on Sunday. Guests are expected to check out of dorms no later than 2 p.m. on Sunday.
If your flight falls outside of the designated pick up/ drop off times, the Alumni Office can recommend other cab services in the area.
- How do I register?
There are two ways to register, either through the paper registration form (mailed to alums in February) or on-line through this website. Payment for on-line registration is by credit card only and is handled through a secure site called CyberSource. You may use Visa, MasterCard, American Express or the Discover Card. After registering on-line you will automatically receive an email confirmation from CyberSource and the Alumni Office will be notified, via email, that you’ve registered as a guest. We will then send you a written receipt as well as details about the reunion weekend.
- How much does it cost to attend Reunion Weekend?
Pricing for the July 2008 College Reunion will be:
Day Guests -
Full Package = $235.00 early bird, before June 1 rate OR $95.00 per day
$295.00 after June 1
Boarding Guests -
Full Package = $330.00 early bird, before June 1 rate
$405.00 after June 1
For those wishing to stay in a single room, there will be an extra charge of $100 for the weekend. Single rooms are only available to those guests registering for a Full Package. Keep in mind there are a limited number of single rooms available so register early if that’s what you prefer!
For guests who can only attend part of the weekend, we offer a per night price -
Per Night Price is $120 early bird, before June 1 rate
$195.00 after June 1
Saturday Evening Only – (3 p.m. to midnight)
$40.00 early bird, before June 1 rate
$50.00 after June 1
Child Care and Prin Camp
$150.00 full boarding package, must register before June 1
Children under the age of 7 will stay in the Family dorm with their parents.
Prin Campers (ages 7-14) will stay on the Elsah Campus in Hitchcock or Williams under the supervision of two Camp Directors and a staff of counselors.
$30.00 Saturday Evening only child care (ages infant to 7), from 5 p.m. - 12 midnight.
- What houses are used for which reunioning classes?
5th-20th — Sylvester
25th — Howard
30th and 35th — Lowrey
40th — Anderson East
45th — Anderson West
50th — Rackham
55th — Lowrey
Family — Joe McNabb
PrinCamp — Buck
- What are the future dates of Reunion Weekend?
The 2009 Upper School Reunion, for class years ending in 4, 5, 9, and 0, will be held in September or October, during Homecoming Weekend. The Athletic Director determines the best weekend to schedule the reunion, after looking at the individual sports schedules and consulting with other coaches in the district. Stay tuned for dates.
The 2010 College Reunion will be for classes whose year’s end in 0, 1, 5, and 6. Stay tuned for dates.
- I still have some unanswered questions. Who do I ask?
You may always call the Alumni Relations Offices in St. Louis and Elsah. Our toll free numbers are: 1-800-277-4648, ext. 2868 (ELS) or 1-800-218-7746 (STL). Or you may email us at alum@prin.edu
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