Parents & Families E-Newsletter - January 2010
Dear Parents and Families,
Purdue students are the heart and soul of our institution. We are so pleased to have them back on campus for the spring semester.
Although our campus may appear quiet during the holiday break, the Purdue community has been working diligently on many initiatives that will enhance and ensure a world-class education for your student.
Currently, Purdue is undergoing its decennial accreditation, collaborating on a University-wide budget strategy to keep our strategic plan moving forward, and preparing to launch the third phase of our scholarship campaign. These activities involve the leadership of many dedicated faculty and staff members as well as student leaders.
In addition to what happens here on campus, study abroad and internships are two excellent ways that students enhance and reinforce their learning. And even though they just started classes, deadlines for these programs, especially the March 1 deadline for study abroad opportunities, are prompting students to think now about their plans for summer and next fall.
I encourage you to read more about our Purdue students through this
e-newsletter. Please let us know if there are other resources you would like to see.
Boiler Up!
France A. Córdova
President
Support Your Student's Second Semester Mindset
Certain times in the academic year tend to be universally challenging to students. Below are some typical challenges faced by students during the spring semester (source: Purdue Family Handbook).
January
- "Fresh start" mentality sets in with new term
- Satisfaction and/or disappointment with fall term grades
- Homesickness
- Loneliness for love relationship back home
- Relief being away from home and back at school
February
- Feelings of claustrophobia and depression set in with winter
- Potential increase in alcohol and other substance abuse
- Challenges with love relationship back home
- Valentine's Day brings out loneliness, isolation
March
- Anxiety regarding finding roommate(s) for next year
- Excitement and/or disappointment regarding spring break plans
- Midterm exam stress
- Concern over summer employment
- Concern over winter weight gain
April
- Excitement with arrival of spring
- Concern over declaring major
- End-of-semester pressure
May
- Final exam anxiety
- Apprehension about returning home for summer
- Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or love relationships at school
If your student ever feels chronically stressed or overwhelmed, Purdue's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available. CAPS offers eight confidential counseling sessions, free of charge, per semester (fall and winter) to any student enrolled full-time. For more information on CAPS, phone (765) 494-6995 or visit www.purdue.edu/caps. For general counseling information and resources, visit the Dean of Students Web site.
Students make plans for post-spring semester
Even though the spring semester has just begun, many students are already making summer plans. Below are some of the options that could enhance their educational experience along with campus resources to help facilitate their decision.
Learning through Internships
Purdue's Center for Career Resources (CCO) and the schools/colleges offer students many resources for acquiring internships. CCO Express is the center's online job seeking tool, which includes internship opportunities within many job sectors.
Studying Abroad
The deadline (March 1) is quickly approaching for the majority of summer and fall study abroad programs. With more than 200 study abroad programs in dozens of countries, Purdue offers something for every major. Students can plan their study abroad experience to include classes and/or internships that will earn them credit toward their Purdue degree. Study abroad opportunities range in duration from a week to an entire year, so a study abroad experience can fit into any student's schedule. Costs vary with program and location.
Visit Purdue's "5 Students Who ..." Web site to learn more about the experiences of five Purdue students who have participated in study abroad.
Seeking Transfer credit
A college course over the summer break can speed progress on credit completion and add flexibility to a student's academic year schedule. Information on how to transfer credits to Purdue and what courses transfer can be found within the Admissions Web site. Questions can be answered by contacting Purdue's Credit Evaluation Department at (765) 494-6482 or admissions@purdue.edu
Purdue launches Healthy Planet 2010 event
Purdue will attempt to "Walk to the Moon" -- complete the 477,714,000 steps it takes to reach the moon -- during the first week of February. The campus community walk is part of Purdue's Healthy Planet 2010, which includes a week-long series of activities centered on wellness topics (health education, physical activity, nutrition, financial management, and mental health). Students can gain a better handle on managing their money with a talk by Kelvin Boston, host of PBS "Moneywise," on Feb. 1.
Among the many activities intended for students include a physical activity fair, nutrition knowledge contest, a chef's demonstration on cooking healthy meals, and a Healthy Planet Party and Swing Dance at the Recreational Sports Center.
Spring commencement scheduled for May 14 to 16
Information on spring commencement ceremonies can be found on the Registrar's Web site. An information fair for graduating students will take place March 22-23 at the Dauch Alumni Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
The order for colleges and schools in spring 2010 commencement ceremonies is:
Division I: Friday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m.
Agriculture; Consumer and Family Sciences; Pharmacy, Nursing and Health SciencesDivision II: Saturday, May 15, at 9:30 a.m.
Education, Engineering, Veterinary MedicineDivision III: Saturday, May 15, at 2:30 p.m.
Management, TechnologyDivision IV: Sunday, May 16, at 9:30 a.m.
Liberal Arts, Science
Students discover new interests, change majors
Before graduation more than 50 percent of college students change their major of study at least once. Some change several times.
Students unsure about their choice of major can receive guidance through the Center for Career Opportunities.
Students who have decided to change their major (Purdue term: "Change of Degree Objective" - CODO), should consult an advisor in the school/college to which they wish to move. For general information about CODO at Purdue, visit the Purdue Advisors Web site.
Job seekers find resources at Center for Career Opportunities
Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities is coordinating many workshops and job fairs this spring to assist soon-to-be graduates with their job search. For more information on these activities, visit the CCO's online events calendar.
Paying for Purdue 2010-11 Webinar scheduled Feb. 2
Experts from Purdue's Division of Financial Aid will describe strategies for paying for a Purdue education and important financial aid application steps during a Webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 2, beginning at noon (EST). Log in to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/pfp shortly before noon. Participants will have the opportunity to ask general questions from their computer during the webinar. A 2010-11 resource guide "Paying for Purdue: A Guide for You and Your Family" is also available at www.purdue.edu/dfa/pfp.
US Census coming to Purdue
During the spring semester, students will receive a request by e-mail to complete the 2010 U.S. Census and then a census form by mail to complete. Since residency is based on where an individual resides the majority of the year, parents should leave students off their forms, even if they return to live at home when school is out. To learn more, visit FAQs for Students.
Facebook group available for Purdue parents and families
In order to create a community for parents and families of all Purdue students to communicate with one another, a new Facebook group, Parents and Families of Current Purdue Students, was launched this month. The group serves a forum for parents and families to converse on topics relative to Purdue and their students. Several representatives from Purdue (some who are Purdue parents too) have joined the group to assist with questions that may require insight from someone who works within the University's administration.
Featured Purdue Parent and Family Resources
- Parents and Families e-news from the Residence Halls
- Four Year Parent Guide from the Center for Career Opportunities
Purdue Libraries gain new look and philosophy
Purdue Libraries is taking on a new look and a new philosophy. "We're no longer just gatekeepers ofmaterials," says Tomalee Doan, associate professor of library science and head of the recently redesigned Management and Economics Library (MEL). "We're creating an environment with the right content and services to support our information literacy initiatives and meet the curriculum and instructional needs of faculty, which in turn meet the learning needs of students."
MEL has completed the first phase of its renovation, which includes a state-of-the-art "Learn Lab" with 40 PCs, three 'walk-and-talk' easels, and mobile huddle-boards that digitally capture and project collaborative group work from any location in the room.
The multifunctional space, which will eventually be open 24/7, serves as a computer lab for individual work and/or a classroom. "All the ideas and information generated during a class can be immediately e-mailed to students, posted to a Web page, or printed out, so note-taking is not necessary," says Doan.
Phase I renovation also includes a corporate study room, individual study carrels, tables for group work, and wireless Internet access. Phase II of the renovation, scheduled for completion in summer 2010, will focus on the creation of a financial center with zones for collaborative work and media production. The third and final phase will include a gathering area with movable furniture and a coffee bar.
PMO offers singing Valentines
Purdue Musical Organizations is offering a special way to send your love this Valentine's Day. Singing Valentines can be delivered via phone or in person to your student. For more information, visit the PMO Web site.