Parents & Families E-Newsletter - December 2009
Dear Parents and Families,
During the final weeks of this semester, our thoughts focus not only on the upcoming holidays, but the outcomes of our students' success in the classroom and our graduates' success in entering the workforce.
Purdue University provides all students with support services to enhance and ensure their academic success. But joining a group or asking for help can be a hurdle for students, especially if they haven't been involved or sought help in the past. Encourage your student to contact or visit the the Dean of Students office to learn more about resources available to them.
In this e-newsletter edition, we share with you some recent news and resources related to student success, campus activities and the conclusion of the semester.
We look forward to your student's return when spring semester classes resume January 11. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns, or to offer ideas or interesting news, at president@purdue.edu.
Sincerely,
France A. Córdova
First semester students wonder, 'Does College Get Easier?'
Does it get easier?' That was the top question 14 freshmen and a sophomore transfer student asked President France A. Córdova and first gentleman Chris Foster following dinner at Hillenbrand Hall. The occasion was an informal meal and chat in the McCutcheon Hall main lounge to check in with first-year students. More
Campus ramps up to vaccinate 8,900 for H1N1 Flu
Students can make appointments online now to receive the H1N1 vaccine Friday, December 4 and Wednesday, December 9. Students enter the registration site with their student account username and password.
"The Tippecanoe County Health Department has allocated an additional 8,900 doses to Purdue, so for the first time most of our students in this most vulnerable age group will be eligible," said James Westman, director of the Purdue Student Health Center (PUSH).
The vaccination clinics are scheduled for:
• 10 a.m. to 5 pm. Friday, Dec. 4, in Stewart Center, Room 214 A-D.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the northeast gym at the Recreational Sports Center.
Student support available for Finals Week preparation
Students may need some additional support in the last few weeks leading up to finals week. The following campus resources provide students with:
- Tactics for Coping
The Academic Success Center Student Advisory Board will present a workshop, "Surviving Finals Week," on Wednesday, December 2 at 4:30 pm. in Beering Hall, Room 2290. - A Surprise Snack
Families can send students living in the residence halls a snack pack available through Housing and Food Services. - A Quiet Place to Study
Purdue Libraries has extended its hours of operation, including the UnderGrounds coffee shop. - Study and Test-taking Suggestions
Academic Resource Center has resources available on site and online. - Writing Resources
Students who have questions about final writing assignments can contact the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) - A Doctor or a Counselor
The Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH) has physicians and mental health care providers on staff. Purdue's Student Wellness Office is a point of contact for a wide variety of student needs and offers many online, self-help resources.
Students have travel options for semester break
There are a variety of transportation options for students to reach airport or bus terminals and their semester break destination, including:
- BoilerRide (a Web-based carpool and event/trip matching program):
- AmTrak train service: (or call 765-497-3828)
- Greyhound Bus
- Shuttle Services (A new shuttle service not listed on this linked page is Star of America.)
Campus operation hours to be altered during semester break
Purdue University will be officially closed for four days during the semester break. These University holidays are Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25; Thursday, December 31; and Friday, January 1. Information on Residence Hall closure and reopening and altered hours for the Purdue Memorial Union can be found online.
CCO offers students career resources and guidance
Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities assists undergraduate and graduate students and alumni with exploring appropriate majors and with preparing and searching for various types of employment. CCO also offers parents and families an online resource page and information on ways to coach their students on career planning throughout college. More
'Five Students Who' segment showcases Purdue students
Purdue is highlighting the special attributes of its students through a new online communication titled 'Five Students Who.' Each month, a different group of five Purdue students who share something special in common is featured on Purdue's Web site. The online feature has included students who are making the world greener, following in Amelia Earhart's footsteps, and protecting our country. Visit the 'Five Students Who' Web site to view this month's feature -- five students who have served or are serving in the armed forces.
Undergraduate Library gains new role in student learning
Purdue's Hicks Undergraduate Library is no longer a hub for books. In order to better serve the learning needs of today's students, books were transferred to subject area libraries across campus and floor space was repurposed for a student collaboration space.
Among the new library amenities are interactive white boards and 
multi-monitor workstations for students working on group projects; five 36-inch flat screen monitors to hook up a laptop for group viewing; and 20 transportable tables and chairs to configure collaborative and independent workspaces as needed. A classroom space called the iLab, meeting and study rooms, the UnderGrounds coffee shop and 24-hour study lounge are also part of the Hicks Undergraduate Library. An extensive reference collection is still maintained at Hicks, and iDesk staff offer guidance on resources to students with research projects. Another component of the Hicks Undergraduate Library is the Digital Learning Collaboratory, which teaches students how to use the latest computer software, lends digital equipment to students, and partners with faculty to enhance their course curriculum.
Students like the 'Hotseat'
Students are responding favorably to a new Purdue Web software application called 'Hotseat.' This new social networking-powered mobile Web application allows students to interact with their professors in large lecture classes with almost real-time feedback. It also allows professors to adjust the course content and improve the learning experience through immediate feedback. Students post messages (questions and comments) to Hotseat by using their Facebook or Twitter accounts, sending text messages, or logging in to the Hotseat Web site.
More
Hotseat Web site
Students benefit from PASE membership
Students can join the Purdue Alumni Association through the Purdue Alumni Student Experience (PASE) membership. PASE student membership benefits include a free T-shirt and collector glass, a subscription to Purdue Alumnus magazine, invitations to student social events, and a membership card that can be used for discounts at area restaurants and stores, including a 10 percent discount on textbooks at a participating bookstore. PASE memberships cost $25 per year. Visit the Purdue Alumni Association Web site to sign up a student.
PMO Christmas Show slated for December 12 and 13
Purdue Musical Organizations' 76th annual Christmas Show will take place Saturday, December 12, at noon, 4:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 13, at 2:00 p.m. The nationally acclaimed Purdue Christmas Show is presented to a live crowd of thousands and reaches millions more through international broadcasts on public television and radio networks. The production features the talent of 150 student performers and 20 children from the Lafayette-West Lafayette area. Tickets can be purchased at the Elliott Hall, Stewart Center and Pao Hall box offices, by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (80) 914-7469 or through Ticketmaster. After Thanksgiving break, students showing their Purdue ID at any Purdue box office location can buy one student ticket and get one student ticket free.
Winter weather calls for planning
As winter weather approaches, students are urged to prepare by making sure they have adequately warm clothing, seeking out alternative transportation options, and finding out the appropriate resources for severe weather notifications. More