How/Where do I pay tuition and fees?
Payments must be made in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank. Purdue will accept cash, check, or money order. Sorry, we cannot accept credit card payments. Payments for tuition and fees can be made by mail or through the depository.

Always return the bottom portion of the invoice, even if $-0- is owed. This is your communication to Purdue that you will be in attendance. Failure to return the bottom portion of your invoice by the due date will result in the cancellation of your classes.

If your amount due for tuition and fees is $0, you can also confirm your registration electronically by going to SSINFO, clicking on the "Tuition and Fee Info" option under the "Financial" menu item, and following the instructions presented.

All checks should be made payable to: Purdue University

Mailing Instructions
Your Registration Confirmation Package will arrive with a convenient return envelope that can be used to mail your remittance to the University. The University uses a bank processing center in Chicago for faster processing. Payments being sent by overnight/express (such as Fed-Ex, etc.) should be sent directly to:

• Bursar's Office
  1060 Hovde Hall
  West Lafayette, IN 47907-1060
  

Mail the bottom portion of your invoice with your check or money order. Please make sure your student identification number is written on the check or money order. Always allow at least seven to 10 business days when paying by mail. Please do not mail cash!

Depository
Your payment may be placed in the depository located on the ground floor of Hovde Hall by Room 9. There is also an outside depository located on the south end of Hovde Hall for after-hour payments. Always include the bottom portion of your Registration Confirmation invoice statement with your check or money order when using the depository. It is important that your student identification number is written on the check or money order. Please allow three to five business days for depository payments to post to your account. Please do not place cash in the depository.

Where do I go to get a parking permit?

1877 Visitor Information Center
504 Northwestern Avenue
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 494-9494
Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F

Am I eligible for a C permit?
Any registered student whose local place of residence is outside an area at least 1.5 miles from campus may purchase a C permit for $30 per year. In general, the limits are Airport Road, the Wabash River, Cherry Lane, and the railroad tracks bordering the south edge of campus. If you have any questions concerning a specific address, please contact Parking Facilities. To purchase a "C" permit, each student must provide proof of address and a valid driver's license. Permits may be purchased for the school year beginning August 1. Permits must be returned to Parking Facilities upon ineligibility.  "C" garage permits will be issued beginning in the Fall and are valid for specific garages only.  See the Student Section of the University Parking Web site for additional information.

What is the policy concerning alcohol?
The legal age in Indiana for alcohol consumption or possession is 21. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in University facilities, with certain very limited exceptions; violations will result in disciplinary action.

Do professors take attendance?
Individual professors have different policies. It is obviously to your benefit to attend class even if the professor does not take roll. Class absences due to serious illness, accident, or other unique situations beyond your control should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students, which sends out a list of student absences to professors. However, documentation of the illness must be provided to the Dean of Students, and the list does not explain the nature of the absence, so it is recommended that you also contact your professor(s).

Is public transportation available?
Along with taxi services, Lafayette is served by CityBus, which offers service throughout the Lafayette-West Lafayette area and the Purdue campus during the academic year. The Campus Loop runs a regular convenient route around campus day and night, and more important, is free to Purdue University students with a student I.D. For more information, call CityBus at (765) 742-RIDE.

What if I want to change my major?
If you are unsure about your major, career counseling is available in the Center for Career Opportunities in Room 194, Stewart Center, 49-43981. If you know what major you would like, you will want to obtain an official copy of your transcript and talk with one of the school’s counselors. Some areas set grade and course requirements for students who transfer. Staff in the school where you want to transfer will review your record and decide if you meet the requirements. Your academic advisor will help you with the Change of Degree Objective (CODO) procedure. CODO forms are available in the Office of the Registrar or on SSINFO.

What do I do to change my schedule?
See your academic advisor immediately. If your advisor is not available, talk with another advisor in your area. There are deadlines for making schedule changes and many are in the first or second week of classes.

What types of clubs does Purdue have?
The booklet Getting Involved at Purdue: Student Organizations and More lists many of the more than 800 clubs and organizations active on campus. Check the campus phone book or the Office of the Dean of Students for a contact person. Many groups hold callouts early in both the fall and spring semesters. These callouts are announced in The Exponent newspaper, on posters around campus, and on table notices in the residence hall dining rooms. Early in the fall semester, clubs have tables with information at the Activities Carnival in the Purdue Memorial Union.

What is the Escort Service?
At Purdue, students are encouraged to practice good safety habits. For example, it is strongly recommended that students do not go out alone at night. The Purdue University Police Department administers an escort service, which provides escorts to walk with students to their residences at night. The escort service can be contacted at (765) 494-SAFE.

How do I get home if I don't have a car?
Lafayette-West Lafayette is serviced by Greyhound bus service, Amtrak, rental car agencies, and the Lafayette Limo to the Indianapolis International Airport. Some students also make arrangements to ride together by using the Ride Board located on the lower level of the Purdue Memorial Union.

How do I arrange for health services such as allergy shots or blood tests?
The Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH) offers many services, including an allergy clinic. The staff will store your medication and administer your shots if you arrange it. Contact PUSH at 49-46504 as soon as possible to work out the details for this or any other routine services you may need.

What if I need help and I am not sure where to go?
If you are unsure about where to go for assistance, start with the Office of the Dean of Students on the second floor of Schleman Hall.

What if I need medical attention because of an illness or accident?
The Purdue University Student Health Center is an accredited healthcare facility. University fees cover most of the fees for student outpatient care. Go to one of the clinics or arrange to see a doctor by calling (765) 49-46504.  If it is an emergency you should always call 911.

Should I insure my stereo and computer if I bring them?
It is a good idea to insure any valuable personal items you may have brought. Check to see if your belongings are covered by your family policy. Keep your room locked when you leave it to prevent theft. You should avoid keeping a lot of valuable items or cash in your residence hall room or apartment. If you live in a residence hall, you can keep items in the safe at the front desk of your hall. The Purdue Police department has an engraver available for student use.

How can I get involved in recreational sports?
If you are interested in recreational sports, you can sign up for your housing unit's athletic programs, and off-campus students also have teams. You can sign up at the Recreational Sports Center (RSC), which coordinates a large intramural and club sports program. Both noncompetitive and individual activities are available at the RSC; pick up an information booklet when you are there. If you are interested in participating in varsity sports, please look under Intercollegiate Athletics in the campus phone book for a list of coaches' phone numbers.

How can I meet people?
There are many ways to meet people on campus and in the community. Talk with the people who sit near you in class. Contact your campus religious organization or participate in activities at the Recreational Sports Center (RSC) such as intramural athletics. Join one of the many musical organizations on campus. Your Resident Assistant can tell you about programs and activities in your residence hall, as well as activities on campus. If you're living off-campus, you can become involved in the Off-Campus Student Coalition. The booklet Getting Involved at Purdue: Student Organizations and More describes many of the student organizations on campus. Get a copy from your Resident Assistant or from the Office of the Dean of Students. When you find an organization that interests you, find out when the organization has its callout (information meeting) and attend to find out more about it.

What if I miss a class because of illness?
You might ask another student in the class for notes and assignments, but you will need to contact the professor if you will miss a test. If you are forced to miss class for an extended period, call your Resident Assistant and/or report your absence to the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS), which sends out a list of student absences to professors. While documentation of the illness must be provided to ODOS, the list sent to professors does not explain the nature of the absence. Thus, it is recommended that you also contact your professor(s).

What if I need help in a class?
Talk with your instructor. Professors and teaching assistants (TAs) expect students to come and talk with them — all have posted office hours. Lists of tutors are available through the Office of the Dean of Students and from residence hall counselors. Some libraries and the BoilerCopyMaker in the Purdue Memorial Union have class notes and test files. Some instructors hold periodic help sessions. You can also take advantage of facilities such as the Writing Lab (Heavilon Hall) and the Chemistry Resource Center (Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry). Additionally, you can get general academic assistance from the Academic Success Center.

Will my parents get my grades?
Grades will be mailed to you (not your parents) at your home address.

Will I need a personal computer?
No, although most students do own their own computers.

All Purdue students have free access to computers in instructional labs operated by Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP). There are more than 60 ITaP labs located in residence halls and buildings across campus.

If you are interested in purchasing your own computer, significant discounts are available through ITaP Shopping at www.purdue.edu/itap/ shopping. Purchases may be made online. (Computer hardware discounts are also available to Purdue alumni.) ITaP Shopping Offline, which is located in Stewart Center, Room G065, allows students to try out computer systems before they make a purchase.

Many popular software titles are available for purchase at significant savings at the BoilerCopyMaker office, which is located on the main floor of the Purdue Memorial Union. For example, the professional-level, Web authoring package Macromedia Studio MX has a retail price of $899, and an educational price of $189, but can be purchased at BoilerCopyMaker for $99.

Software is available at no charge to use for classroom projects through ItaP's Distributed Academic Computing Services (DACS). Software available through DACS includes such popular titles as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and AutoCAD. ITaP also provides anti-virus software at no charge to Purdue students to download onto their personal computers. For more information, visit www.purdue.edu/itap/security.

Internet connections are available in the residence halls for a small fee. Free wireless connectivity is available in most buildings on campus through Purdue Air Link. Purdue Air Link is one of the largest university wireless networks, so many students are finding it convenient to bring a laptop computer to campus. Nearly all laptops sold today either have a wireless card already installed or are wireless ready.

Purdue students are provided with an e-mail account that allows them to send and receive e-mail at a purdue.edu address. Each student has 500 MB of personal storage on ITaP servers, and ITaP provides a server from which students can publish Web pages.

The Adaptive Learning Programs laboratory (ALPs), which is located in Stewart Center, Room 111, houses technologies and equipment for those who face challenges such as impaired vision, learning disabilities, or limited mobility.

For questions about computing at Purdue, contact the ITaP Customer Service Center, which is located in Stewart Center, Room G068. Phone: (765) 494-4000; E-mail: itap@purdue.edu

How can I get involved in student government?
Purdue Student Government (PSG) welcomes new student involvement. Purdue Student Government hosts a callout each semester. Opportunities include the programming board, senate, student court, student legal resources, and cabinet positions. Represent the voice of the student body! Stop by the PSG office, located in Stewart Center, Room G-6, e-mail them at studentgovernment@purdue.edu, or call 49-47201. Other student government activities are available in the residence halls and through the Off-Campus Student Coalition.

What religious activities are offered at Purdue?
Student religious foundations and organizations, in cooperation with the churches and synagogues of the Lafayette-West Lafayette area, offer a creative and varied spiritual ministry and welcome your participation. Consult Getting Involved at Purdue: Student Organizations and More for specific information and watch the Exponent for activity notices.

What if I don't get along with my roommate?
Resident Assistants and residence hall staff can help with roommate problems. Residence halls generally do not have empty rooms, so changing rooms is difficult early in the semester.

What are fraternity rush and sorority rush?
Purdue hosts one of the largest fraternity and sorority communities in the nation, with 70+ chapters and more than 5,000 undergraduate members. The Greek community governing boards host callouts during Boiler Gold Rush and the first week of classes to provide a general introduction to Greek life and how to join. Information is also available online at www.purduegreeks.com. For chapters with houses, new members usually move in the year after they join.

Fraternity recruitment is informal. Recruitment events are held the first four to six weeks of each semester. Men interested in joining a fraternity are invited to attend open recruitment events at the chapters and should contact chapters directly for more information. Information about each fraternity and their individual recruitment schedules are online at www.purduegreeks.com.

Sorority recruitment is more formal with a registration process and coordinated events. For 2004, the process will be held in the fall semester. Online registration will take place from June 7 through September 1, and the formal process will begin on September 4. First-year women are eligible to join; high school GPAs will be used to meet any academic requirement of the sororities. In addition to the formal process, several sororities also conduct informal recruitment throughout the fall and spring semesters. More information is available online at www.purduegreeks.com.

About 20 percent of Purdue undergraduates are in Greek letter organizations. Information about fraternities and sororities is available in the Office of the Dean of Students, Schleman Hall, Room 250.

Will I get the same grades I did in high school?
Some classes may be easier than those you had in high school, but most will be more difficult; be faster paced; and require more studying, reading, and problem solving. Many students experience a slight drop in grades while adjusting to a new, more independent learning style.

How can I get football and basketball tickets?
Information about purchasing football tickets will be mailed to you during the summer with your tuition invoice. Information regarding basketball tickets will be available early in the fall. There is a charge for student tickets for both football and basketball games. If you have any questions or if your parents are interested in purchasing tickets, contact the ticket office in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility, 49-43194.

How much time should I spend studying?
A general guideline is about two hours of study for every hour you spend in class. You'll spend more time for some classes and less for others. Good study habits and reading skills will be necessary if you plan to continue earning As and Bs.

What will the weather be like?
We will have some hot days in the early fall. Make sure you have an umbrella for rainy days. You’ll probably need boots and winter gear by November or December and plan to use them through March. Weather in Indiana can be quite unpredictable!

What do students do on the weekend?
A variety of plays, intercollegiate athletics, lectures, concerts, intramural contests, and other University-sponsored events are always available. Clubs, organizations, and residence halls also arrange weekend activities. Students can visit many parks, museums, and other local attractions. Purdue students can even budget some weekend time for studying!

Where can I study on campus if I don't want to study in my room?
All Purdue libraries have space for studying. A 24-hour study lounge is located in the Hicks Undergraduate Library. Students also study in lounge areas of the Union and Stewart Center as well as empty classrooms. Some departments also have study lounges.

Which library can I use?
All Purdue libraries are open to you. THOR (THe Online Resource) provides information about library locations, resources, and services. You will probably use the Hicks Undergraduate Library for much of your work during the first two years. You will likely also use one or more of the 11 subject-oriented libraries during your college career. Staff are available in all libraries to assist you in productively using the resources. Please ask for help.