Parents & Families E-Newsletter - January 2011
Dear Parents and Families,
The spring semester is well under way here on Purdue's campus. Your students have returned for the second semester, and now are settled in to new classes, new activities and new challenges - and perhaps new snow boots and warm hats!
Student success is central to our mission at Purdue. That success is linked directly to the quality of the complete student experience, in which each student can find her or his own balance of academics and extracurricular pursuits. We have more than 800 student organizations, all of which help instill and encourage leadership and teamwork as our students learn and grow. In addition, being a member of the Big Ten provides many opportunities for school spirit and athletic activities. In January, the Purdue community welcomed ESPN College Game Day to Mackey Arena for a day of live coverage and Purdue pride. Our students filled the arena and viewers around the country heard the Boilermaker spirit loud and clear. To view photos from ESPN Game Day at Mackey, click here.
We also have some exciting plans for future projects designed to enhance our student experience even further. You can read about those as part of our recent State of the University presentation by going here.
The encouragement and support of strong families is important to the success of our students. Thank you for the role you play in that success.
Sincerely,
France A. Córdova
President
Student Life
Purdue Air Force ROTC unit named nation's best
Purdue’s Air Force ROTC unit won the Right of Line Award, making it the nation’s top officer-training program among 144 universities. The award announcement took place Nov. 4 during the national conference in Montgomery, Ala., attended by all college Air Force ROTC units. The award is based on production of high-quality officers for the Air Force; leadership training; military education, recruiting and retention of cadets; university and public relations; community service; and physical fitness. Read More
Students raise more than $172K for Riley Kids
An 18-hour dance marathon by Purdue students on Dec. 5 culminated in a record-setting $172,528.34 for Riley Hospital for Children. Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM), the largest student-run philanthropic organization on campus, organizes the annual event.
Fall Athletics included some record-breaking achievements
The Boilermaker volleyball team and football player Ryan Kerrigan were history makers during the fall athletics season.
Women’s volleyball team ended its season with a No. 11 ranking in the final AVCA Coaches Poll. The team upset No. 1-ranked Florida at the NCAA Division I tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time during the 64-team field era. The upset win also marked Purdue's first over a top-ranked foe in program history (in 11 tries) and second win over a Top 5 opponent (also #4 Penn State on Oct. 8). The Boilermakers finished the year 24-11, including a 12-8 fourth-place finish in Big Ten play.
Kerrigan, a defensive end, became Purdue's first unanimous first-team All-American since 1980 (meaning first-team in the Walter Camp, AP, FWAA, Sporting News and AFCA Coaches votes). He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was a semifinalist for the Lombardi, Lott and Bednarik awards. He led the Big Ten and ranked third nationally with 12.5 sacks, led Big Ten defensive linemen with 70 tackles, and for the regular season led the nation in tackles for loss with 26. He joined the North roster for the Senior Bowl on Jan. 29.
PMO offers musical valentines
Members of Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO) will deliver singing valentines Monday, Feb. 14 in person locally or by phone to a long-distance love. The cost is $30 and includes a song, rose, cookie and personalized card (Note: the rose, cookie and personalized card are included with in-person deliveries only). Orders can be placed now through Feb. 9. For more information, visit the PMO website or call PMO at 765-494-3941 (toll-free at 800-893-3041).
Students participate in ESPN's College Game Day event
Thousands of Purdue students flocked to Mackey Arena Saturday, Jan. 22 for ESPN's College Game Day. The broadcast featured Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis, Digger Phelps and many enthusiastic fans of the Purdue men's basketball team.
View a photo gallery of the event.
Campus News
RSC facilities temporarily relocated
Students will find that some of the Recreational Sports Center (RSC) facilities they frequented last fall have been relocated this semester as work continues on major renovations for the RSC.
Several residence halls and the recently opened Turf Recreation Exercise Center (TREC, pronounced T-rec) are providing temporary space while the East/West Gyms and the Boilermaker Aquatic Center remain open.
More info:
transitional timeline and temporary locations
RSC project overview
Professor Negishi accepts Nobel Prize
The eyes of the world were on Professor Ei-ichi Negishi on Dec. 10 as he accepted the Nobel Prize in Chemistry from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Negishi, the Herbert C. Brown Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, shares the prize with Richard Heck, an emeritus professor of the University of Delaware, and Akira Suzuki, an emeritus professor of Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan.
Nobel Prize recap
News release
Housing renewals open
Students living in University Residences received an e-mail announcement this month regarding contract renewals. Students should visit the housing website to determine their eligible date for contract renewal. Eligibility is based on University classification and the amount of time the student has lived in University Residences.
Resources
Help available for 2011-12 financial aid application process
The 2011-12 Free Application for Financial Assistance (FAFSA) application is now available. It is important that parents work with students to get the FAFSA completed by the March 1, 2011 priority application date. The Purdue University Division of Financial Aid offers help to families in filling out the FAFSA application on campus, in the local community, and on the DFA website.
Students are making plans for summer and beyond
Now is the time for your student to plan for after spring semester. Graduating seniors may be looking for employment or advanced studies. Continuing students may seek summer work, internships, study abroad or classes to take at home. Below are some links to Purdue resources.
Graduate studies
Employment and internships
Study abroad
Seeking transfer credit or by phone 765-494-6482
Support your student's second semester mind set
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 Calendar).
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 website.
(Republished from Jan. 2010 e-newsletter)
Commencement slated for May 13-15
Spring 2010 commencement information is available on the Office of the Registrar website. In addition, a new section in the MyPurdue Web portal provides graduating seniors with all pertinent information.
Below is the ceremony schedule for schools and colleges.
Division I, Friday, May 13, 8:00 p.m., Engineering
Division II, Saturday, May 14, 9:30 a.m. Liberal Arts and Veterinary Medicine
Division III Saturday, May 14, 2:30 p.m., Science and Technology
Division IV Sunday, May 15, 9:30 a.m., Health and Human Sciences, Pharmacy and Education
Division V Sunday, May 15, 2:30 p.m., Agriculture and Management
Parent and Family Communication
Purdue needs your feedback
The Office of the President initiated a parents and families e-newsletter in fall 2009 with initial input from the Parents and Families Steering Committee. To ensure that we are providing Purdue families with relevant information, you are invited to complete an online survey. The survey takes about 5-10 minutes to complete, and the feedback will be invaluable to the University’s ongoing communications to Purdue families.
Click here to complete the survey.
Join Purdue parents and families Facebook FAN page
The Facebook page for Purdue families is moving from a group page to a fan page, effective today. This will give Facebook members the option to receive Purdue parent and family news delivered directly to their news feed. If you are among the nearly 700 members of the “Parents and Families of Current Purdue Students” group page, please accept the invitation to “like” the “Purdue Parents and Families” fan page. Note: If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can still visit and view information on the page.
Click here to join the Purdue Parents and Families fan page.