August 4, 2005
Purdue campus prepares for returning students
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Approximately 38,000 students will be returning to the Purdue University campus for the start of classes on Aug. 22.
International graduate and professional program students will be among the first groups to arrive on campus Monday (Aug. 8), and undergraduate international students are set to arrive on Aug. 13.
First-time students enrolled in this year's Boiler Gold Rush orientation program will move into on-campus housing on Aug. 13-14. A record-breaking 4,800 to 5,000 students are expected to participate in Boiler Gold Rush, said Patti Dulik, director of orientation and new student programs.
The weeklong program will offer a guide to new students about life at Purdue and will include campus tours, social events and presentations on safety, cultural diversity and university traditions. More information about Boiler Gold Rush activities is available online.
For parents, there will be a 90-minute orientation session for families on Aug. 13-14 during Boiler Gold Rush check-in from 3:30-5 p.m. in Elliott Hall of Music. Learning to let go will be one of the issues covered during the program, which is the same on both days.
The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band begins its band camp practices on Aug. 14. During the following week, rehearsals and auditions will be held. The final make-up of the band will be announced on Aug. 19, said Kathy Matter, director of public relations for Purdue University Bands. The band is expected to have around 320 members this year, Matter said.
Transfer students will get their own chance to acclimate to the Purdue campus during the Fall Welcome from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 20. The event will give transfer students from other colleges and universities, as well as Purdue's statewide campuses, an opportunity to set up computer accounts, get student ID cards, meet other students and attend a resource fair about student services. Participants also will have a chance to tour campus. The deadline to register for Fall Welcome is Friday (Aug. 5). For information, call (765) 494-2274 or visit the Orientation and New Student Programs web site.
To reduce traffic near campus, CityBus will continue to provide free communitywide bus service for all students, faculty, staff and retirees with a valid Purdue identification card, said John Metzinger, development director for CityBus.
For drivers, the university also maintains a travel alert Web site with up-to-date road closures and construction projects. For information, visit the Physical Facilities Travel Alert web site.
Other activities on campus coinciding with students returning include:
• Boilerfest from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Black Cultural Center parking lot. Including food, entertainment and music, Boilerfest will introduce students to the Black Cultural Center, other student organizations and support services. For information, call (765) 494-3092.
• Purdue Student Union Board's Activities Bonanza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 26 between Stewart Center and Purdue Memorial Union or Academy Park. Students will have a chance to learn more about campus activities and groups. In case of rain, this event will take place in the North and South Ballrooms and Main Lounges in Purdue Memorial Union.
• Taste of the Union, sponsored by the Purdue Memorial Union, from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 26 on the Purdue Memorial Union Front Lawn. Free food will be offered.
• Purdue Varsity Glee Club's First Nighter concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 in the Union's North Ballroom. The concert is free and open to the public.
• Purdue Student Union Board's Welcome Back Bash from 9 p.m. to midnight on the Purdue Memorial Union front lawn. Activities will include card games, refreshments, caricature artists, crafts, a DJ and board games.
• Purdue Student Union Board's Feature Film Series on Aug. 26-27 in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. The cost is $3 for students with their Purdue student ID or $5 for the general public. Films begin at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. both days.
The first day of classes at other Purdue campuses are: Aug. 22 at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and Purdue University North Central, Aug. 24 at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, and Aug. 29 at Purdue University Calumet.
Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu
Sources: Patti Dulik, (765) 496-6460, pfdulik@purdue.edu
Kathy Matter, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu
John Metzinger, (765) 423-2666, ext. 206, jmetzinger@gocitybus.com
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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