Purdue University will welcome over 9,000 new Boilermakers to West Lafayette and Indianapolis during Boiler Gold Rush 2026 (BGR) and Boiler Gold Rush International (BGRi). Staff and faculty are encouraged to plan accordingly for heavier pedestrian and vehicular traffic during move-in days and throughout orientation (Aug. 14-22).
Indianapolis
BGRi and BGR participants living in University Residences will move into their housing assignments on Friday, Aug. 14, (BGRi) and Monday, Aug. 17 (BGR).
BGRi and BGR program check-in will take place at the Purdue Student Center, 520 Indiana Ave., with additional programming for parents and families at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, 543 Indiana Ave. BGRi programming will run Aug. 15-17; BGR programming will run Aug. 17-22. Both include several events on campus that will take place during traditional business hours.
Throughout this orientation programming, expect heavy traffic around the following areas:
- University Tower
- North Hall
- LUX on Capitol apartments
- Purdue Student Center
- Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
- Madam Walker Legacy Center
- Boiler Park
Please join us as we welcome our newest Boilermakers to Indianapolis by participating in the BGR Welcome Tunnel outside Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave., at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
West Lafayette
BGRi and BGR participants living in University Residences will move into their housing assignments on Friday, Aug. 14, (BGRi) and Saturday, Aug. 15, through Tuesday, Aug. 18 (BGR).
BGRi and BGR program check-in will take place at the Córdova Recreation Center (CoRec), 355 N. Martin Jischke Drive. BGRi programming will run Aug. 15-17; BGR programming will run Aug. 18-22. Both include several events on campus that will take place during traditional business hours.
During move-in days and throughout the program, the area will experience heavier car and pedestrian traffic that may cause delays or disruptions to normal business for those working on campus. The most affected areas will include:
- Stadium Avenue (between Northwestern Avenue and McCormick Road)
- U.S. 231 (from Martin Jischke Drive to Airport Road)
- Mitch Daniels Boulevard (from Airport Road to Martin Jischke Drive)
- McCormick Road (from Cherry Lane to Third Street)
- Third Street (from Russell Street to McCormick Road)
- CoRec (where all students will check in for BGR/BGRi)
- Purdue Memorial Union
- And all side roads in the vicinity of residence halls and dining courts
Several staff supporting orientation and move-in will be operating golf carts within the following boundaries: Cherry Lane to the north, Northwestern Avenue to the east, Harrison Street to the south, and McCormick Road to the West. Golf cart drivers have been instructed to avoid operating on sidewalks; when no other route is available, carts must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists and obey all signage.
Several areas will be posted and enforced as no parking/tow-away zones. Families will be instructed to park at various locations around campus dependent on where students are moving in. Each family will receive a move-in pass with a parking location listed on the pass. ADA, ParkMobile and reserved parking will still be enforced by Purdue University and the city of West Lafayette.
BGRi and BGR program information
More than 8,800 incoming Purdue students are expected to participate in BGR/BGRi in West Lafayette, and more than 500 additional students are participating in BGR/BGRi in Indianapolis. Throughout orientation, students will be assigned to small groups of about 15-20 other students according to their residence. These small groups will conduct a variety of activities across campus, with the guidance of nearly 800 current student volunteers.
Boiler Gold Rush programming is hosted by Orientation Programs , a unit within Student Success Programs . Nearly 100 additional on-campus units and local community organizations will also offer support and host events on various topics of interest throughout the week at both locations.
All new Purdue students will access their orientation programming schedules via the PurdueGuide mobile app starting Friday, Aug. 7. This is also available for download by the Purdue community.
Move-in for most returning students at both locations will begin on Friday, Aug. 21, with classes beginning Monday, Aug. 24.
Additional information about Boiler Gold Rush is available on the Orientation Programs website . Follow Orientation Programs throughout the week on Instagram (@AllAboardPurdue) . Those with immediate questions should contact Craig Johnson, director of orientation programs at john1803@purdue.edu .
