Purdue News

August 7, 1998 Purdue prepares for fall '98 students WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University is preparing for another bumper crop of students, perhaps even larger than last fall's enrollment of 35,715. Applications and admissions deposits are running ahead of last year, said Douglas Christiansen, director of admissions. While Christiansen awaits the final tally after classes start Aug. 24, the university residence halls are prepared to house the new and returning students. "It takes flexibility, on our part and on the students' part, to accommodate all our incoming students who will soon call Purdue home," said Marvis Boscher, director of university residences. Lanny Wilson, director of administration of university residences, said: "We've dealt with similar enrollment sizes several times in the past few years, and we know we will have rooms for all students with housing contracts. However, some 240 students who applied late have been told they will have temporary assignments. Within a few weeks, though, we'll be able to move most of those who want to do so into our undergraduate residence halls, taking the spaces of no-shows. "We've never had a student come here and not have a bed, if he or she contracted with us. We should even be able to take in some of the students on our waiting list." Temporary housing is provided in university apartments, the Union Club and converted conference and study rooms in the residence halls. Purdue has one of the largest residence hall systems in the country, with 14 undergraduate halls able to house 10,865 students. Nearly 38 percent of the single undergraduate students on the West Lafayette campus live in university residence halls. The facilities, services and programs are designed to provide a living environment that supports the academic objectives of the university and the student. Purdue also provides some personal touches to make the transition easier, Boscher added. All students who will be living in the residence halls will receive a personal phone call from their hall counselor before coming to campus. Staff also will be available to help students move from temporary housing into their permanent rooms. The housing contracts begin Aug. 21. Students who want to move in a few days earlier will pay a $31 daily room and board fee or a $13.75 daily room-only fee. Students participating in Boiler Gold Rush, a first-year student orientation program, will move into halls Aug. 16. Purdue students are not required to live in university housing, so the Office of the Dean of Students provides an off-campus housing service. The office compiles a list of rental properties in the Greater Lafayette area from participating landlords. The list costs $1 and is available in Room 207, Schleman Hall. More information about off-campus housing is available by calling (765) 494-7663. Sources: Marvis Boscher, (765) 494-1000; e-mail, mjboscher@hfs.purdue.edu Lanny Wilson, (765) 494-1000; e-mail, lcwilson@hfs.purdue.edu Writer: J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371, e-mail, mike_willis@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page