BGR / BGRi Indianapolis - Final Details

We are thrilled for you to join us for our student orientation programs, BGR and BGRi! This page contains full details of what you need to know about arriving on campus and transitioning to Purdue. Be sure to:

Read this page thoroughly, and ensure that all necessary tasks are completed
Understand that things may change between now and your arrival
Follow us on Instagram to stay informed and updated before and during BGR – @allaboardpurdue

Please also note that Indianapolis, Indiana is located in the Eastern Time Zone (UTC/GMT -4 hours).

Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) And Boiler Gold Rush International (BGRi) Event Basics

What Is A Team Leader?

During BGR and BGRi, you will be assigned to a team of 10 to 15 other students led by a BGR Team Leader (TL) or BGRi Team Leader International (TLi) who is a current Purdue undergraduate student. Your TL will be contacting you by Aug. 15 to introduce themselves and provide final instructions via email to your Purdue email address.

How Are New Student Groups Organized?

All participants are sorted into new student groups based on where they live on- or off-campus. Additionally, students transferring to Purdue from another institution are in their own groups.

Each group will be led by their Team Leader throughout the week of BGR and BGRi. Those groups are then organized into six BGR “Hall Teams.” Throughout the week, these Hall Teams participate in friendly competitions and earn points for the Interhall Team Showdown! One Hall Team will be crowned the winner on the last day of BGR.

Here are the 2025 BGR Hall Teams:

VROOM: includes North Hall and Lux on Capitol; both located in Indianapolis.
CHOMP: includes Hillenbrand Hall, McCutcheon Hall, and Meredith Hall- South in West Lafayette
ECHO: includes Earhart Hall, Hawkins Hall, Honors Colleges and Residences (North and South), and Windsor Hall in West Lafayette
KACHOW: includes Aspire, Cary Quadrangle, First Street Towers, Frieda Parker Hall, Hilltop Apartments, Owen Hall, and Winifred Parker Hall in West Lafayette
STORM: includes Meredith Hall, Shreve Hall and Tarkington Hall in West Lafayette
WHAM: includes Harrison Hall, Provenance Apartments, Third and West Apartments, University Residences Boiler Apartments (URBAs), and Wiley Hall in West Lafayette

Off-campus students are represented in each of the BGR Hall Teams.

How Do I Download The BGR And BGRi Schedule?

The final BGR and BGRi Schedule is now available on the PurdueGuide app. To view the full schedule, you will need to:

Download the free PurdueGuide app from the Google Play or Apple app store.
After downloading PurdueGuide, open the app and select "Explore" on the bottom of your screen.
You should see the featured guide "Boiler Gold Rush in Indianapolis (2025)" at the top of the list of guides. Select this guide and press "Download".
Alternatively, you can find the Boiler Gold Rush 2025 guide by using the "Find Guides" feature in the bottom right of the app and typing in the name.
You can then open the guide and view the BGR and BGRi schedule by clicking on the three horizontal lines in the top left of the app.

Are Meals Included?

All BGR participants will have access to one meal per meal period (three meals per day) as soon as they check in to BGR or BGRi; as early as Aug. 15 (BGRi) or Aug. 18 (BGR).

In order to eat during BGR, you will need three items at all times:

Your Purdue Affiliate Crimson Card (make sure your photo is approved for this and the Purdue Mobile ID, and that your Purdue Mobile ID is downloaded to your Wallet before you get to campus)
Your BGR nametag (neck wallet)*
Your BGR wristband*
*Please note that you will receive your BGR nametag and wristband at BGR/BGRi check in.

Students who are living on-campus will receive their Crimson Card when they move-in to their residence hall at North Hall or Lux on Capitol Apartments. Students who are living off campus will receive their Crimson Card when they check in for BGR at University Tower, 2nd floor.

If you misplace your wristband, you will be charged an additional $30 to replace it, since this is your ticket for meals and events throughout the program. This will be charged to your student account after BGR concludes.

During the program, students will eat at Tower Dining. Download the Dine on Campus app or visit their website for more information about Dining in Indianapolis.

Additional dining information can be found on the BGR Check-in Guide for North Hall and Lux on Capitol Apartments, which students will receive at their residence hall, and can be found in PurdueGuide.

What If I Have Food Allergies?

Campus Dining locations take food allergies into careful consideration and are likely able to accommodate your dietary needs. Students are encouraged to inform the Purdue Disability Resource Center of any severe dietary concerns prior to their arrival so they can ensure any accommodations needed are made for BGR but also for the academic school year. While inside the dining facilities, dining staff will be more than willing to assist you; just be sure to communicate your needs each day.

Where Do I Go If I Need Help During The Week?

BGR and BGRi Team Leaders will always be the first recommended resource for students to go to if they need help during the week. Additionally, the BGR Help Desk will be located at the Engineering and Technology Building (ET) room 101 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Saturday, Aug. 16 through Friday, Aug. 22. Staff will be there to help answer any questions, guide you to your Team Leader, and check in students that arrive late to the program.

What Can My Parents Or Guests Do During BGR And BGRi?

International parents and guests are welcome to participate in the International Parents Welcome program coordinated by the International Students & Scholars (ISS) office. This welcome program takes place the same days as BGRi, from Friday, Aug. 15 to Monday, Aug. 18. International students should have pre-registered their guests for this program. For more information about the International Parents Welcome program, visit this website or email iss@purdue.edu.

Members of the Parent & Family Connections team members will be present during BGR check-in. Team members will have important information on-hand and will be available to answer questions about Fall and Spring Family Weekend along with resources for families to support their Boilermaker.

While there is no formal programming for parents and guests during BGR, we encourage them to watch the first 30 minutes of the Boiler Gold Rush Kickoff event at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19. This will be livestreamed on our Orientation Programs Youtube channel.

What is the Common Bond Dance?

The Common Bond Dance is one of many longstanding traditions that bring students together during Boiler Gold Rush. Throughout the week, new students learn a dance made by student leaders with their newly formed BGR teams. As the week progresses, each student learns the dance with the goal of dancing it together as a full incoming class at the end of the week. This year’s Common Bond Dance is to “Brand New” by Ben Rector.

Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) And Boiler Gold Rush International (BGRi) Move-in and Check-in Information

When Is The Program?

Boiler Gold Rush International (BGRi)

Move-in and check-in takes place on: Friday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Programming begins on Saturday, Aug. 16 and concludes on Monday, Aug. 18.
BGRi students continue in their groups and participate in BGR programming from Monday, Aug. 18 through Saturday, Aug. 23.

Boiler Gold Rush (BGR)

Move-in and check-in takes place on: Monday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BGR programming begins on Monday, Aug. 18 and concludes on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Plan to be busy each day – BGR events start at 10 a.m. and end around 10 p.m. or later daily.
Please know that on Tuesday, Aug. 19 we will be travelling to the West Lafayette campus by bus to participate in the BGR Kickoff event alongside the rest of the Purdue University incoming class!

More information about University Residences move-in can be found on this website.

To watch previously recorded "Preparing for BGR and BGRi" session, view this video on the Orientation Programs YouTube channel.

When And Where Should I Arrive?

Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) and Boiler Gold Rush International (BGRi) participants living in University Residences should arrive at their Residence Hall within their assigned move-in time and date.

Upon arriving to your residence hall you will begin to unload your belongings. Our BGR/BGRi Team Leaders will be stationed at Residence Halls during the move-in times listed above to assist you in moving into your new home.

If you arrive after 3 p.m., don’t worry! Residence halls will be open 24 hours, so you will still be able to move in and University Residences staff can assist you. We encourage late arrivals to look for “late arrival” signage that will be posted on the exterior doors of each residence hall entrance with further instructions . BGR staff will not be present to assist with move-in outside of the hours listed in the “When Is the Program” section, so plan your travel and move-in window accordingly.

If you are living off- campus/not in University Residence housing, follow directions provided to you by your leasing office or apartment complex for move- in.

After you have moved in, on-campus students living in University Residences and off campus students will go to the second floor of University Tower to check-in to BGRi and BGR.

BGRi and BGR Check-in hours of operation run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please reference the BGR Check-in guide (linked above) for your recommended BGR check-in window.

What If I Arrive Late?

Students who miss the BGRi and BGR Check-in hours of operation should do the following:

Contact their Team Leader (TL) as soon as they arrive (students will receive an email to their Purdue email address from their TL by Aug. 15)
BGRi students who arrive after 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15 can check-in to BGRi the following morning on Aug. 16 at the BGR Help Desk at the Engineering & Technology (ET) Building, in room 101.
BGR students who miss the BGR check-in hours on Monday, Aug. 18, can check-in at the BGR Help Desk at the Engineering & Technology (ET) Building, in room 101.
Students arriving after Friday, Aug. 22 will not be able to check into the program.

Where Can I Park During The Program If I Have A Car?

Students driving to campus each day may park at Lot 92 at no cost from Aug. 15 through 23. During the move-in period you will be directed to park at Lot 71, across from North Hall, temporarily. All other lots will be enforced during BGR and you may receive a parking ticket.

Complete These Tasks Before Arriving To Campus

Complete New Student Task List

Log into the myPurdue Portal and complete any outstanding items on your New Student Task List.

Complete Purdue 102

Log into Brightspace to review and complete Purdue 102. Completion of Purdue 102 is required before you arrive to campus. All students will have access to Purdue 101 and 102 through Dec. 31, 2025 to have a resource throughout their first semester.

Upload your Photo and Download your Mobile ID Card

All students should submit their PUID photo and download their Mobile ID to their phone prior to their arrival. Make sure to submit your PUID photo in advance. For help please visit these FAQs.

Purdue students in Indianapolis are also required to have a CrimsonCard and should carry it with them at all times. This will provide access to essential shared services provided by Indiana University, including printing, meal plans, libraries and secure entry to campus buildings like residence halls, offices and recreational facilities. For more step-by-step instructions on getting your CrimsonCard, visit this website and click on the drop down that says “New Students Attending Boiler Gold Rush (BGR)”.

Please ensure your photo meets all requirements and be sure to select the “pick up” option (not the mail option). By registering for BGR, you will receive your CrimsonCard at BGR Check-in or at your Residence Hall on move-in day. The CrimsonCard office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please contact the CrimsonCard office via email or phone (317) 274-0400 if you have questions.

Reserve Transportation To Campus

There are many ways to get to Purdue University if you are arriving from outside the state of Indiana.

The majority of students will fly into the Indianapolis (IND) airport, but many others also fly to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or Chicago Midway (MDW) before coming to Purdue.
Local rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are available from the Indianapolis Airport, and are a quick drive to the Purdue University in Indianapolis campus. If you are taking a rideshare to campus, we recommend entering in either of the following addresses:
- University Tower – where BGR check-in is located – 850 W Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202
- North Hall – where some BGR students are living – 820 W North St., Indianapolis, IN 46202
- Lux on Capitol – where some BGR students are living – 501 N Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Check Your Purdue Email Regularly

Between now and the start of classes, a variety of key Purdue offices will provide information via email and your online myPurdue portal. It’s important that you’re checking your @purdue.edu email address regularly. Use your Purdue online career account to log in to your Purdue Microsoft Office 365 account. More information is available on the Purdue Information Technology website.

Complete Immunization Requirements

Complete your immunization requirements through the Purdue University Student Health (PUSH) center. To schedule an appointment, please call 765-494-1700, option 0.

Review the Map of Campus

Purdue University is a big place! Review this map to familiarize yourself with campus. We highly recommend you learn where University Tower (HO) and your assigned living location is, as both will be important locations during your BGR and BGRi experience.

Request Disability-Related Accommodations

Purdue wants your BGR experience to be accessible. We recognize the different environments you will be experiencing during BGR may impact your ability to access and fully participate in different ways. We encourage students with disabilities to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) before BGR begins at 765-494-1247 or email drc@purdue.edu and identify that you are participating in Boiler Gold Rush. If during your BGR experience you discover an unforeseen barrier to your participation, please alert your Team Leader or BGR professional staff for assistance. All accommodation requests through the BGR registration have been responded to directly to your Purdue email address. Please be sure to check your Purdue inbox!

Purdue Orientation Programs has created a custom "Sensory Guide" for all students attending BGR/BGRi. The purpose of the guide is to help students with neurodiversity needs navigate the BGR environment in a safe and comfortable way. This sensory guide gives a list of all events taking place at BGR/BGRi that may pose some level of accessibility issue or sensory overload for a student. This includes events with loud noises, flashing lights, large amounts of physical movement, and more.

Many events with sensory warnings provide the option of an alternative event, which occurs at the same time. Alternate events include virtual viewings of the event, separate smaller events, or other accessible BGR opportunities. All students will receive a copy of the 2025 Sensory Guide at BGR Check-in.