Parents & Families E-Newsletter - August 2010
Dear Parents and Families,
It's an exciting time of year here in West Lafayette with new and returning students filling our campus.
As a parent myself, I recall how hard those beginning-of-semester goodbyes can be. Although the opening of the school year can be a stressful time for many families, we also hope you are excited and proud that your son or daughter has chosen to make their home at one of the top universities in the world. In recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report, in which Purdue was ranked 18th among all public universities, we were specifically recognized for achievements in several student success categories.
At Purdue, we take the business of welcoming students seriously. Our ideas for fostering an environment of inclusion and celebrating student success take many forms. One example is our annual Boiler Gold Rush program. We greeted a record 5,300 new and transfer students, pairing groups with student leaders for a week full of orientation activities and entertainment. I saw scores of excited students, parents and grandparents, each with a hopeful glint of “what’s next” in their eyes.
What’s next is a semester filled with unlimited potential for personal growth and achievement. Once these students become a member of the Purdue campus community, they find themselves surrounded by examples of the University’s commitment to the success of every student.
In this newsletter, we’ve included news about many of the exciting things happening around campus and resources available on our website, so that you can keep up with what your student is experiencing.
While it might be hard to say goodbye, know that a great experience is in store for them at Purdue. We look forward to watching them develop into tomorrow’s leaders.
Sincerely,
France A. Córdova
President
Purdue reaches top ranks among U.S. universities
Purdue is among the nation's top universities and its efforts in undergraduate teaching and programs to ensure student success also were recognized Tuesday (Aug. 17) in rankings released by U.S.News & World Report. Purdue was ranked 18th among all public universities -- tied with Ohio State University, the University of Georgia and the University of Maryland -- up from 22nd last year. Among all universities, Purdue ranked 56th, tied with Ohio State University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Georgia and the University of Maryland. This also is a move up for Purdue, which ranked 61st last year. Read More
Student leaders endorse education for all
More than 800 resident assistants and Boiler Gold Rush student leaders recently gathered on Slayter Hill to film a dance in support of universal education. In honor of Purdue's commitment to global awareness, Julie Talz, director of residential life, chose "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" by Colombian musician Shakira as the theme song for her Residential Life staff. In support of the organization, 1Goal, and its mission to promote education for all, Shakira encourages people to film three simple dance steps and post the video as a response at www.youtube.com/shakirawakawaka. Purdue's dance can be viewed directly on the Purdue YouTube channel.
"5 Students Who" features budding Boilermakers
Going to college isn't what it used to be. Just ask any member of Purdue's incoming freshman class. Not only do students today need to be academically excellent, they also must possess other sets of skills and talents to prove they are well-rounded and ready for the rigors of college life. Purdue put the spotlight on five who are beginning their college careers this fall. From devoting their spare time to music, serving their communities or learning about wildlife, these students represent the diversity — in all senses of the word — of the newest class of Boilermakers. Read more
Campus facility updates
Significant progress was made on building and expansion projects over the summer months. Below is a recap on these major construction projects with links to progress updates on each one.
Roger B. Gatewood Wing
Work is well underway on the Roger B. Gatewood Wing addition to the Mechanical Engineering (ME) building. The addition, the first Purdue building constructed to LEED certification standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council, will add approximately 41,000 assignable-square- feet to the ME building, increasing its space by 55 percent. The building will include flexible classroom space, student commons and a number of computer, student learning and research laboratories, and is scheduled for completion in April 2011. View progress on the School of Mechanical Engineering webcam.Marriott Hall
Construction on Marriott Hall began in mid-April. Located at the northwest corner of State and University streets, the new facility will include a restaurant demonstration classroom seating more than 100 students, several new classrooms and laboratories, a career center, a student services area, and reception space. View a photo gallery of the progress.Mackey Arena Complex
Scheduled for completion in fall 2011, the Mackey Arena Complex will enhance both the basketball facilities and the entire experience for all of Purdue’s nearly 500 student-athletes. Having athletic, academic and training facilities under one roof will allow Boilermaker athletes to better manage their academic and athletic schedules. For recent photographs, video clips, and information on the project, visit the Intercollegiate Athletics website.
Recreational Sports Center
Renovation and expansion started this summer on the Recreational Sports Center, which eventually will be named the Student Fitness and Wellness Center. Increased space will be used to almost triple the amount of cardio and weight training space and to provide additional basketball and volleyball courts, indoor sports-turf and multi-purpose fields, a recreational warm water pool to supplement the cool water competition pool, a three-lane walking-jogging track, and a rock climbing and bouldering wall. In addition, there will be a comprehensive Wellness Center with a demonstration kitchen, nutrition consultation and physical therapy clinic. The redesigned space also enhances traffic flow, space and staffing efficiency, security and modernizes the buildings mechanical, HVAC and electrical systems. The RSC project includes a plan to keep some of the existing facilities open while opening six satellite locations nearby; thus minimizing the disruption of services to the campus community throughout the construction phase, scheduled for completion in fall 2012.
More info | Virtual TourManagement and Economics Library (MEL)
Purdue Libraries completed Phase II of the Management and Economics Library (MEL) this summer. The redesigned space features a financial center with zones for collaborative work, multimedia production, and semiprivate group study. Phase III of the renovation will include a coffee shop and gathering area. The multifunctional space eventually will be open 24/7 to meet the needs of students. Phase I was completed last fall and includes a state-of-the-art LearnLab with 40 PCs, three smartboards, and mobile huddle-boards. A corporate study room, individual study carrels, tables for group work, and wireless Internet access also were included in the first phase. More info.
New college aligns health and human sciences programs
To enhance student opportunities and promote faculty collaborations, Purdue's existing health and human sciences programs, formerly housed within three colleges, were realigned into the new College of Health and Human Sciences, effective fall 2010.
The new college includes all of the departments from the former College of Consumer and Family Sciences as well as the departments of Health and Kinesiology; Psychological Sciences; and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences; and the schools of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Students graduating in August 2010 or December 2010 will receive degrees from their originating college/school (Consumer and Family Sciences; College of Liberal Arts; or College of Pharmacy, School of Nursing, or School of and Health Sciences). Students graduating in May 2011 and beyond will receive degrees from the College of Health and Human Sciences.
The College of Health and Human Sciences will begin admitting students in January 2011. Current students pursuing degree programs, which are now housed within the new College of Health and Human Sciences, will be migrated over after grades are posted in December 2010. More info.
Family Day slated for September 18
Purdue faculty and staff (and students) hope to see families back on campus for the annual Family Day event Saturday, Sept. 18. The day starts with a hearty pancake breakfast. Families will then have the opportunity to meet faculty and staff from the students' college/school, cheer the Boilermaker football team to a victory over Ball State University, and relax to a blues musical performance at the Boilermaker BBQ afterward.
More Info | Pancake Breakfast Reservations
Students get savvy with finances
The Division of Financial Aid encourages students to become more savvy with their finances and offers a couple of educational resources.
- Sharon Burns, clinical associate professor in consumer sciences and retailing, provides advice on money management in the article "Parents: Time for your college-bound student to get some financial savvy"
- Purdue students also can explore a variety of money management tools on the Division of Financial Aid's Cash Course site.
Center assists students with special accommodations
Students with a documented disability are encouraged to visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) for assistance. The DRC helps students with disabilities to obtain the academic adjustments that will provide them with equal access to a Purdue education. The DRC coordinates accommodations for students who have a variety of conditions such as learning disabilities, AD/HD, chronic medical conditions, visual impairments and deafness/hard of hearing. The DRC can be reached by e-mail, phone 765-494-1247, TTY or by stopping in the office (Young Hall, Room 830). More info.
Fall recruitment season is here
Students seeking internships or full- time jobs should register on CCO Express, the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) online job posting and campus interview website. Interviews will begin in early September, so students need to register and begin searching the system now.
The CCO website contains a variety of resources:
- A calendar of campus career fairs
- Upcoming job search preparation workshops, such as resume writing How to Work a Career Fair Interviewing
- The Career Handbook, which includes sample resumes and common interview questions
- Career Spots Videos, a series of 20 short videos on topics, such as the elevator pitch, career fair success tips, and interview dress
- The Career Wiki, a resource for researching companies
In addition to job search services, CCO offers counseling and resources for students who are unsure about the career path. Students can make an appointment for career counseling by calling 765-494-3981.