Preceptor Institute

Mithorous

This article is focused on Mithorous, the planet with the oldest and largest library.

Preceptor Institute Crest by Rin Garnett

Preceptor Institute

Training the future guardians of history.

Status

Active (2286-present)

Lead by

Alexandra Bonwar

Location

Preceptor Archive on Mithorous

Total Students

958

Summary

The Preceptor Institute is the only school that trains people to manage the Archive - the largest repository of historical information in the sector. It's meant to be a prestigious position worth the years of schooling, but the application pool has dwindled amid growing technophobia.

With Preceptors already overworked, it may be up to the students to bring new life to the Institute.

Past, Present, and Future

Created during the first wave of human expansion, the Preceptor Institute is a wing of the Preceptor Archive, the largest known repository of history dating back to ancient Earth. Though many such Archives existed before The Scream, the Talos Sector only has the one on Mithorous, founded in 2286. Collection, preservation, and maintenance falls to the specially-trained Preceptors, whose unique skillset is taught only at the Institute.
However, the number of applicants to the Institute has been on a gradual decline for the last few decades. At current rates, there aren't enough new graduates to replace retiring Preceptors. Entire wings of the Archive have been closed to prevent overworking the reduced staff. Either the Institute finds ways to renew interest, or the Archive's days are numbered.
Institute students who still enroll do so because they're passionate about the Archive's mission. With few exceptions, they understand the value of history to the future progress of humanity. Their enthusiasm might be the key to saving the Archive in years to come.

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Technophilia

Maintaining the amount of data the Archive does, both physical and digital, required heavy investment in advanced technology.
The Institute teaches aspiring Preceptors how to operate this tech and work with specialized virtual intelligences as part of day-to-day operations. Many opt for cybernetics that let them interface with Archive systems without the need of a compad.
Historically, this has been part of the appeal and prestige of becoming a Preceptor, but that has changed.

Technophobia

Recent events have increased fear of VIs and other advanced technology. We've seen it used for mind control and mass destruction, and now know that a spy program is embedded within the VIs that help run society.
That the Archive was a target in the 3208 Legion Incursion adds to worries that the Archive's technology isn't as benign as it seems.
The more advanced the technology, the more people fear it's tied to something terrible.

Institute Academics

Attention Aspirants:
Due to staff constraints, several courses have been removed from the roster. Your schedules should already reflect these changes. Please contact the registrar's office for any issues or questions.
Thank you,
Dolores Weekes
Senior Manager,
Preceptor Institute Registrar

— Institute-wide notice

Becoming an Aspirant

The Institute application process selects for those who have both the aptitude and passion to become a student, and later, a Preceptor. Only about 10% of the couple thousand annual applications are accepted. Of those, nearly all choose to enroll, getting the title of Aspirant. They start in February, the beginning of the spring semester.

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Developing Aspirations

By their second year, Aspirants are expected to select a specialty. Most study for several years before they submit their final thesis. They're assessed by a panel of five Preceptors, and if approved, they graduate at the end of the fall semester, usually in November.

Electronic Resources

• Manage databases and data security
• Work with VIs to automate collection intake and archival
• Develop electronic systems and processes

Collections

• Develop organization for physical and electronic data
• Acquire data and materials to further develop collections
• Travel for further research, study, and acquisition

Research & Education

• Teach Aspirants within the Preceptor Institute
• Aid patrons and other Preceptors in research
• Develop curriculum for use across the sector

Legality

• Study laws about data storage, use, and dissemination
• Develop policies for the Archive to function ethically and legally
• Ensure compliance with galactic and planetary laws

Community

• Develop community programs for locals and visitors
• Coordinate knowledge sharing with other libraries and archives
• Improve Archive accessibility to all patrons and Preceptors

People of the Institute

Faculty

Head of the School

Head Preceptor Shea Bonwar by Rin Garnett (via The Sims 4)

Prior to her unexpected promotion to Head Preceptor of Education, Alexandra "Shea" Bonwar wasn't considered particularly remarkable. Some believe she was chosen because she's half the age of her predecessors, the last three of which died unexpectedly only a few years after accepting the position. Should she also meet an imminent end, it will be clear something more sinister is afoot than simply old age.
Due to her lack of reputation, many aren't yet certain of her ability to run the school through this time of difficulty. Shea, however, has only shown courage and determination.

The reasons for promoting me stopped mattering once I accepted the role. Stars willing, I'll have this position for many years to come, and I'll to fulfill it to the best of my ability.

— Shea's response to the rumors

Professors

Most courses are taught by Preceptors of Education, though others across the Archive will teach a course, hold a lecture, or take an apprentice every so often. At the end of the school year, those who taught classes get together to read recent anonymous reviews on popular professor rating sites. They keep their favorites in a private scrapbook.

Preceptor Jora Eberrence

Sweet and kind lady who loves her work, but her classes are soooooo outdated they should be reclassified as history lessons.

Preceptor Cam Tegia

I've never seen anyone get so excited about classification systems.

Preceptor Naji El-Amin

Fight him. No, really. If you debate him, and do well, he'll go easier on grading you. If you don't do well though? RIP.

Preceptor Yijun Cai

She'll pull all-nighters to answer last-minute questions during exams. It's appreciated, but the woman needs to assert some boundaries.

Preceptor Vieno Takala

Do NOT text while in their class. Turn your compad OFF. Better yet, DON'T even bring it. They will THROW it into the OCEAN.

Preceptor Roland Bickers

Watch for his wedding ring. If he's not wearing it, it's going to be a bad day for everyone.

Staff

Human Staff

Most support staff is shared with the Archive, but admissions, advisors, medical staff, and the registrar are unique to the Institute. Dedicated IT staff is also needed to tend to classroom equipment, student accounts, and academic software.

Virtual Staff

Precella by Rin Garnett (via The Sims 4)

With news of the spy program embedded in Integrell-made VIs, the Institute has begun the process of retiring, reformatting, or replacing the ones that help run the school. The full process will take several years, and human staff has to pick up extra work in the meantime.
Precella will be the most difficult to replace. The holographic VI is available from nodes across campus and has in-depth knowledge of everything Institute. She can provide directions, answer questions, even make appointments or check schedules. Though she doesn't have feelings, and is more of an "it" than a "she", many have become attached to her.

Good afternoon, Jules!
You mentioned you like playing board games. There's a group meeting at the community center tomorrow night to play such games. Would you like me to add it to your calendar?
You've been studying very hard lately, a break would be good for both your health and productivity.

— Precella checks in

Students

People are planning to get cybernetics together when they graduate. Like getting a group tattoo, they say, but it helps them do their jobs better. Which... yeah I guess? But as much as I love the Archive, I don't want it connected to my brain.
What if something goes wrong? Or something is already wrong? If the Archive infects my compad, I can get a new one. We only get the one brain.

— Aspirant's letter home

Mischief Makers

Aspirants range from nearly 30 to over 60 years of age, but despite their relative maturity, they're not above the occasional prank. Sometimes it's laser tag in the stacks or exam-time flash mobs, other times it's something simpler like hidden noisemakers or confetti-filled bookmarks. Most Preceptors encourage harmless acts of stress relief, but they try to direct that energy away from anything that might affect Archive patrons.

True Aspirations

From the over-achievers to the class clowns, and the introverts to the people-people, every class is an eclectic mix of interstellar cultures, all with the same goal: to become Preceptors of the Archive. At least, that's what the admissions process aims for.
There are exceptions to this, whether they fool admissions or have a change of heart. Some fall victim to conspiracy theories, or think they're going to uncover some wrongdoing. Only rarely does the Institute resort to expelling someone. Most either leave on their own, or in the best cases, come around to value the Archive for what it is.
Some may even realize that they and their fellow Aspirants may be what decides if the Archive survives the next decade.

Without the Institute,

there are no Preceptors.

Without Preceptors,

there is no Archive.

Without the Archive,

there is no history.

Without history,

there is no future.

— Plaque in the Institute Atrium

Timeline

2286

Preceptor Archive & Institute founded on Mithorous

2665

The Scream causes significant damage to Archive and kills many Preceptors

3000

Recreation of the Spike Drive causes surge in Institute applicants

3208

Archive taken over by and reclaimed from the Emerald Legion

3210

Applicants dwindle amid growing fears of technological abuse

Uniforms

Uniforms vary per the weather, the work, and individual preference, but always include:

• A purple collared undershirt.
• A red vest with silver buttons.
• A silver tie.
• Red slacks or skirt, with two options each on length.
• A silver pin for Aspirants,
• Or a gold pin and cloak for Preceptors.

Preceptor Institute - Student Badge by Rin Garnett

Preceptor Institute - Preceptor Badge by Rin Garnett

Extracurriculars

Aspirants are encouraged to join at least one club to learn new skills, relax, and socialize. The most popular groups are book clubs, but some others include:

Sparkle Studio

A programming group that creates a new playable game every year, named after its founder's pet dog.

Knit-Wits

A knitting group that "knit-bombs" portions of the campus for various holidays.

The Any Sport League

A recreational small-team sporting group. They play what weather and space allows.

Inner Peace

A non-denominational group for finding peace through meditation, prayer, or movement.

Did you know?

Aspirants make and run their own clubs. They need signatures of at least ten others who are interested in joining and a faculty sponsor. Every semester thereafter, they only need to confirm the group is still active to keep it on rosters.