Purdue News
Purdue News
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August 1, 2003 Purdue prepares to welcome 38,000 students back to schoolWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In just a few short weeks, Purdue University will welcome new students to its West Lafayette campus for the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 25. Most international students newly enrolled in the graduate school will start arriving Monday, Aug. 11, for orientation. The first major wave of undergraduates will arrive Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17, when 4,300 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 that 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 Enrollment Management'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. A complete Boiler Gold Rush schedule is available online. Parents can attend one of three free family orientation sessions, which will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17, in the Elliott Hall of Music and from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. Family members will learn about how to deal with issues related to their student's beginning their Purdue college career. Campus resources and Boilermaker traditions will be discussed. An expert panel representing various departments also will be available for questions. Attendees will receive a gift to help them stay connected with their student. Registration is not required. Transfer and regional campus transfer students can participate in the Fall Welcome orientation program from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, in the East/West Faculty Lounges of the Purdue Memorial Union. The program, sponsored by Orientation and New Student Programs, features a panel discussion with current Purdue students, an information fair and campus tours provided by student leaders. Program participants also can set up computer accounts, print class schedules and obtain student identification cards. The deadline to register for the orientation program is Friday, Aug. 8. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band will begin practice Monday, Aug. 18, setting the tone for the week when most of the remaining undergraduate students arrive on campus. Of the approximately 38,000 students Purdue expects on its West Lafayette campus, approximately 11,500 undergraduate and graduate students will live in University Residences. The university expects to be able to provide housing for 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. 16. 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. 22, when regular housing contracts begin. Among the buildings being prepared for the start of classes is the newly constructed $25 million visual and performing arts building, which will open for dance as well as art and design classes. Located at the corner of Wood and Marsteller streets, the building features state-of-the art computerized weaving and design software in addition to expanded classroom space. In order to reduce traffic congestion near campus, Purdue, in cooperation with CityBus, again will provide free communitywide 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 "Travel Alert" Web site that can be accessed through the Purdue home page. Other activities related to the beginning of the new school year include: • Adult learner orientation. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18. 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. 20. Class of 1950 Lecture Hall. • Survival Strategies for Academic Success, a presentation for first-year African-American students. 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25. Ross Ade Pavilion. 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. 28. 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. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, between the Purdue Memorial Union and Stewart Center. More than 150 student organizations will have displays and information booths. Free "Good Stuff" bags will be distributed. A variety of entertainment also will be presented. • The Taste of PMU, sponsored by the Purdue Student Union Board. 2-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, on the Purdue Memorial Union front lawn. Free food samples from all of the union restaurants will be provided. In the event of rain, activities will take place in the union ballrooms and lounges. • PMU Underground: The Welcome Back Bash. 8-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Academy Park, behind the Purdue Memorial Union. Festivities include live music – featuring blues artist Keith Scott and award-winning reggae ensemble and international recording artists Roots Rock Society – henna tattoos, massages, a caricaturist and karaoke. The movie "Matrix Reloaded" all will be shown in Fowler Hall at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $3 for students and $4 for the general public. Free bowling or 30 minutes of billiards also will be available. Purdue students are asked to bring their identification cards. • The Purdue Varsity Glee Club First Nighter, sponsored by Purdue Musical Organizations. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms. Purdue's all-male vocal ensemble will present a free performance featuring traditional Purdue songs and other popular medleys. The first day of classes at other Purdue campuses are: Aug. 20, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus; Aug. 25, Purdue North Central, Purdue Calumet and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. CONTACT: Bill Schnackel, (765) 494-1000, bschnackel@purdue.edu; Patti Dulik, orientation director, (765) 496-6460, pfdulik@purdue.edu; Renee Thomas, Black Cultural Center director, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu; Heather Owen, PSUB program adviser, (765) 494-8909, owenh@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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