01_03_2024 - Orientation and Transition - Purdue University

Orientation and Transition Student Success Programs


Boiler Cold Rush starts this week!


Dear Boilermaker, We are excited to welcome you to Boiler Cold Rush! In this email you'll find important details about our program to help you prepare for your arrival, so be sure to read through it all. UNIVERSITY RESIDENCES MOVE-IN & BOILER COLD RUSH CHECK-IN: Move-in for students living in University Residences takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 3, and Thursday, Jan. 4. If you have a signed University Residences contract, please check your email for move-in instructions. Students living off campus should contact their leasing manager to coordinate their arrival. For those driving to campus, parking is available at no cost to Boiler Cold Rush participants during both program days at the Wood Street Parking Garage (120 S. Grant St. West Lafayette, IN). Please note that access to this garage is restricted when the semester begins on Monday, Jan. 8, and only free to park in during Boiler Cold Rush. Boiler Cold Rush check-in information: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5 Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom During check-in, you’ll be able to connect with various offices on campus and in the community (like Purdue Federal Credit Union, Purdue IT and Purdue Dining and Culinary, University Book Store and more), eat breakfast, and meet current and new Purdue students. If you are a non-traditional or transfer student, we highly recommend connecting with Span Plan Nontraditional Student Services during check-in. Some of our student staff members (Orientation Leaders) will be wearing light blue sweatshirts. They will be able to direct you to the Purdue Memorial Union and can help answer any questions you have during the program! EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Boiler Cold Rush activities will occur all day Friday, Jan. 5, and Saturday, Jan. 6. Please keep in mind that Purdue University is located in the Eastern Time Zone. Our events will give you the opportunity to meet other new students, and several current students, to help you immerse yourself into campus. Our goal is to help you get more familiar with Purdue before you start classes Monday. Some highlights of the program include: a brief session on academic success with some of Purdue's exceptional faculty and staff community-building tips from leaders of our cultural centers tours of campus led by current students the opportunity to experience traditions like rides on the "Boilermaker Special" (Purdue's mascot) and entertaining evening programs where you can connect with other students Boiler Cold Rush activities will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end around 8 p.m. each day. There will be breaks, but plan to be busy and learn about Purdue! You will receive a full, detailed schedule of events at check-in. MEALS: All meals will be provided (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on both days of the program. Those with dietary needs or restrictions are encouraged to inform their Orientation Leader about any dietary accommodations you may need at each meal. Participants can also use this Purdue Food Co. website to find more information about what will be available during each meal. ORIENTATION LEADER (OL): During Boiler Cold Rush, you will be assigned to a team (we call them pods) with 15 other students led by Orientation Leaders (OLs) who are current Purdue undergraduate students. Your OLs will connect with you via your Purdue email on Thursday, Jan. 4, to introduce themselves and provide next steps on your arrival. Your OL will guide you from session to session and help answer any questions you may have during the program. BOILERMAKER PRIDE: As a registrant for Boiler Cold Rush, you will receive some official Purdue Boilermaker apparel during the program. At check-in on Friday morning, you can also bring apparel from a different college or university (T-shirts, hats, jackets, sweaters, etc.) to swap out for Purdue gear! Make sure to bring your "swag" to check-in to swap. All swapped apparel items will be donated to local charities. A special thanks to the Purdue Alumni Student Experience (PASE) for providing this opportunity. PASE staff will be at check-in so you can connect with them to see what they have to offer!
WHAT TO PACK FOR BOILER COLD RUSH
COMFORTABLE SHOES WINTER WEATHER APPAREL (HAT, GLOVES, BOOTS, COAT, UMBRELLA) HAND SANITIZER FACE MASK (OPTIONAL) REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE GOVERNMENT PHOTO ID
TASKS TO COMPLETE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Check your Purdue email: It's important that you check your @purdue.edu email address regularly for important updates and to stay up to date. Complete your New Student Task List: Log in to your myPurdue Portal and complete any outstanding items on the New Student Task List. This includes completing Purdue 101 and 102 in Brightspace, as well as submitting your photo for your mobile Purdue ID card. Reserve airport transportation to campus: Students flying into Indiana can visit our Orientation website and scroll down to "Transportation to Purdue" to review commercial travel services. Please note Express Air Coach is no longer in service. Review your International Student Checklist (international students only): All international students must report their arrival to the United States and Purdue University using the Virtual Mandatory International Student Check-in (vMISCi) e-forms. You should receive instructions in your @purdue.edu email. Make sure to review the International Pre-Arrival Information before you arrive. The Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) will be available onsite during the program in case you need assistance. If you have questions, contact their office at iss@purdue.edu. Complete immunization requirements: Visit the PUSH website (Purdue University Student Health Center) for more information on immunization requirements. All incoming students MUST complete the immunization information form located under the forms tab in the Patient Portal found at myhealth.push.purdue.edu. If you are not able to access the portal immediately, please check back during the first week of classes (starting Jan. 8). Pay the BCR fee by Jan. 8: Students can view the BCR program fee in their Student Account in their myPurdue portal later this week. As a reminder, this fee is $150 for students living on campus and $200 for students living off campus. If you received a fee waiver, it has been applied to your account and no action is necessary. Request disability-related accommodations: Purdue wants your BCR experience to be accessible. We recognize the different environments you will be experiencing during BCR may impact your ability to access and fully participate in different ways. We encourage students with disabilities to contact Purdue's Disability Resource Center (DRC) before BCR begins at 765-494-1247 or by email at drc@purdue.edu to get connected for any accommodations needed during the program. If during your BCR experience you discover an unforeseen barrier to your participation, please alert your Orientation Leader or BCR professional staff for assistance. The DRC will also be in attendance at check-in on Friday morning, and you can connect with them there. Follow us @AllAboardPurdue on Instagram: Our team will be posting updates throughout the program, and a variety of information throughout the spring semester. Make sure to follow us to stay connected during and after Boiler Cold Rush! Once again, we look forward to meeting you in person later this week during Boiler Cold Rush. Please email studentsuccess@purdue.edu if you have any questions in the meantime. We are excited to welcome you to Purdue University. See you soon! BOILER UP! Purdue Orientation Programs

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Last updated: March 2025

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