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Purdue prepares for arrival of new students

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University will welcome new students to its West Lafayette campus next week in anticipation of the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 19.

Most international students newly enrolled in the graduate school will start arriving Monday (8/5) for orientation. The first major wave of undergraduates will arrive Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, when 3,600 first-time students will move into University Residences for the Boiler Gold Rush orientation program. It is the largest group ever to participate in the program.

Throughout the weekend, University Residences staff and returning students will be available to assist new students and direct them to their rooms. Residence halls will have 20-minute unloading zones for families as students carry in their belongings. Adjacent parking is available once families unload.

Boiler Gold Rush, sponsored by the Office of Admission's area of Orientation and New Student Programs in cooperation with University Residences, will familiarize new students and their parents with the campus and Purdue traditions. Presentations will stress campus safety, cultural diversity and healthy lifestyle choices.

Parents will have the opportunity to attend one of two expanded orientation sessions from 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, in the Elliott Hall of Music. Musical groups will lead them in singing "Hail Purdue." A panel of office representatives will teach Purdue trivia and field questions.

Motivational speaker Kevin Wanzer will encourage students to make the most of their college experience at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, during opening ceremonies for Boiler Gold Rush. First-year students also will learn about Purdue's athletics and traditions during a session at Slayter Center for the Performing Arts at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. Purdue men's basketball coach Gene Keady will serve as a guest speaker.

Other Boiler Gold Rush highlights include Unionfest in the Purdue Memorial Union and Late Night at the Recreational Sports Center from 8 p.m. to midnight on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 12 and 13. Also on Monday, Wendy Fox will offer a humorous and informative alcohol awareness presentation entitled "Alcohol Insanity Tour." It begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music. Issues related to diversity will be explored at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, in a presentation entitled "Mosaics: Cultural Diversity on Campus" in the Elliott Hall of Music.

A "Meet the Schools" picnic and resource fair will be at the Memorial Mall from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Approximately 150 school advisers, faculty and staff will be on hand to chat with the students. At 8:30 p.m. that evening, comedian Buzz Sutherland will perform at the Elliott Hall of Music. Orientation will conclude with "Purdue Palooza" from 2-10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug.. 15, at the Purdue West Shopping Center. The event will feature club-sponsored contests and 11 local bands.

A complete listing of the Boiler Gold Rush schedule can be viewed at https://www.adpc.purdue.edu/BGR. Patti Dulik, senior assistant director of orientation and new student programs, said participation in Boiler Gold Rush provides new students with the tools they need to begin their academic careers with confidence.

"It is very important for new students to come to Boiler Gold Rush so they meet other students, get acclimated to campus and connect with their new home," Dulik said. "Studies show that students who get involved do better academically because they have more reason to stay. We provide a social transition program designed to help students feel comfortable and confident before they start their first day of classes."

The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band will begin practice Monday, Aug. 12, setting the tone for the week when most of the remaining undergraduate students will arrive.

Of the approximately 38,000 students Purdue expects on its West Lafayette campus, approximately 11,800 undergraduate and graduate students will live in University Residences. The university expects to be able to house all who want to live on campus, said Bill Schnackel, senior director for University Residences.

Students not participating in Boiler Gold Rush or band camp can move into university residence halls starting Saturday, Aug. 10. An early arrival fee of $38 for room and board or a $17.25 room-only rate will be assessed for each day before Friday, Aug. 16, when regular housing contracts begin.

In order to reduce traffic congestion near campus, Purdue, in cooperation with CityBus, again will provide free community-wide bus service for all students, faculty, staff and retirees with a valid Purdue identification card, starting the first day of classes. Also, to provide travelers with up-to-date road information, Purdue maintains a Web site, "Travel Alert," which can be accessed through the Purdue home page at https://www.purdue.edu/.

Transfer students are invited to participate in a fall welcome program from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18. The program features a tour of campus, an ice cream social and a panel discussion with current Purdue students.

Other activities related to orientation include:

• Adult learner orientation, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12. Schleman Hall, Room B38. The orientation will be followed by a campus tour.

• International undergraduate student orientation, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. Class of 1950 Lecture Hall.

• "Survival Strategies for Academic Success," a presentation for first-year African-American students, 3:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 19. Black Cultural Center, 1100 Third St. Staff and faculty will share advice on time management techniques, maintaining wellness and tips on how to succeed in the classroom.

• Black Cultural Center Boilerfest, 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. Black Cultural Center, 1100 Third St. This open house for new students will feature food, music and information about the facility.

• Activities Bonanza, sponsored by the Purdue Student Union Board, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23. Between the Purdue Memorial Union and Stewart Center. More than 150 student organizations will have displays and information booths. A variety of entertainment also will be presented.

• PMO Underground: The Welcome Back Bash, 8-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23. Ground floor of the Purdue Memorial Union. Festivities include, live music, henna tattoos, massages, a caricaturist and karaoke. Movies also will be shown. Admission is $2.50. Bowling and billiards are available per half hour for 25 cents and 50 cents, respectively. Purdue students are asked to bring their identification cards.

The first day of classes at other Purdue campuses are: Aug. 19, Purdue North Central; Aug. 21, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; Aug. 26, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and Purdue Calumet.

CONTACT: Bill Schnackel, (765) 494-1000, bschnackel@purdue.edu; Patti Dulik, (765) 496-6460, pfdulik@purdue.edu.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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