Purdue Today.

October 12, 2020

Current web edition

Protect Purdue

Faculty and Staff News

Human Resources – Benefits highlights top employee resources for open enrollment 2021

Open enrollment for 2021 will begin Oct. 28 for the employees at the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest campuses. All employees are asked to actively enroll by 6 p.m. ET Nov. 10. Via the dedicated open enrollment website, employees have access to a variety of helpful resources and more.

Protect Purdue

More flu shot clinics available; upload documentation by Oct. 31
Update on seasonal flu shot requirement for students

Things to Know

Equity Task Force begins work
Earthquake simulation drill to take place Thursday
This week's 'Thumbs Up' recipients

Things to Do

Virtual assistance available on Medicare, Social Security, impact on health savings accounts
Meditation, breathing exercises available weekly in October
Applications invited for Service-Learning Fellows Program
Brightspace Innovation Program announces grant opportunities for instructors and staff
Faculty proposals due Oct. 16 for DURI spring projects

In the Spotlight

Person wearing smartwatch

Can biometric smartwatch data be used to detect early signs of COVID-19?

Certain changes in a person’s heart and breathing rates could precede symptoms of COVID-19, an increasing number of studies suggests. Purdue University researchers have begun a study that would help determine if continuously collected biometric smartwatch data could be used to reliably and accurately detect these signs early, which could indicate that a potentially asymptomatic user should get tested for COVID-19.

Additional News

Docked autonomous underwater vehicle

What if underwater robots could autonomously dock mid-mission?

Robots can be amazing tools for search-and-rescue missions and environmental studies, but eventually they must return to a base to recharge their batteries and upload their data. That can be a challenge if your robot is an autonomous underwater vehicle exploring deep ocean waters. Now, a Purdue team has created a mobile docking system for AUVs.

Purdue Bell Tower

University to celebrate 25th birthday of iconic Purdue Bell Tower

Purdue on Wednesday (Oct. 14) will mark the 25th birthday of the Purdue Bell Tower, the landmark standing tall at the center of campus symbolizing the University's persistent pursuit to reach "one brick higher." A gift from the Class of 1948, the bell tower was dedicated at Homecoming on Oct. 14, 1995.

Campus

Early voting available Wednesday at Mackey Arena

People

Gov. Holcomb and Purdue appoint new Indiana state chemist

Bringing Our Best

Purdue has the chemistry lab of the future today

Configuring socially distanced lab spaces for 2,900 general chemistry students was logistically impossible, so Purdue University’s beginning chemistry labs are taking place online this fall, the next best thing to being there.

Student works on iPad in all-digital chemistry lab
* Submit a "Thumbs Up" or send a story idea for "Bringing Our Best" to PurdueToday@purdue.edu to share how Purdue University is a community that is persistent in its pursuit to build a better world together.

Events

This Week's Events
Events information

Purdue in the News

Here is a sampling of recent news reports about Purdue from media across the nation and the world.

MarketWatch: Opinion: When you’re in physical pain, you’re likely to spend more freely
India TV: Indian-origin researchers use bovine adenovirus to develop Covid vaccine
WLFI: Purdue University providing virtual experience to study abroad this semester
Indianapolis Business Journal: Report calls for Indiana school funding changes to close equity gaps
Purdue Today is the official Purdue University communication for faculty and staff