Boiler Gold Rush to help new Boilermakers with transition

Approximately 5,300 students are expected to participate in Boiler Gold Rush, said Drew Koch, director of Student Access, Transition and Success Programs.

"Having a record number of students signed up for Boiler Gold Rush is a testament to Purdue's strong orientation program," Koch said. "Through the setup of the program, freshmen are placed into small groups and matched with current students who serve as part of the program staff. These interactions help the incoming students make the personal, academic and social transitions from high school to college."

Students who have signed up for Boiler Gold Rush will check in to their permanent residence hall rooms during assigned times on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 12-13). Students who will be living in off-campus locations for the academic year will move into their own off-campus locations and will check in for the Boiler Gold Rush early Sunday evening. Both afternoons, family orientation sessions will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. at Elliott Hall of Music. During these times, a panel of administrators from academic advising, the bursar's office, the Center for Career Opportunities, financial aid, the Dean of Students and University Residences will be on hand to talk to parents, guardians and families.

Following the family orientation sessions Saturday and Sunday, a "Welcome to Purdue Dinner" will be held from 4:30-6:30 each day at Follett's Purdue Bookstore, 1400 W. State St. The free dinner is optional for all new students and their families and is available while supplies last.

New students will get their official welcome when the week's opening ceremonies are held from 9-11:45 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Hall. Keynote speaker Judson Liapply will welcome the students.

Beginning Monday morning, the students involved in Boiler Gold Rush will break into smaller groups for many of the orientation activities.

"For every 12 to 15 BGR participants, there will be a current Purdue student who will serve as a team leader," said Shawna Lusk, senior associate director for Student Access, Transition and Success Programs. "Because Boiler Gold Rush has one of the largest students volunteer staffs in the country, with more than 500 student volunteers, we're able to make sure every student will receive individual attention.

"We want the new students to become comfortable with Purdue and make them feel at home. The success of Boiler Gold Rush is dependent on the student staff who go out of their way to help the new freshmen begin their Purdue careers on a good note."

Some of the events planned for new students include Boilermaker Basics: An Up-Close Look at Purdue Athletics; campus tours; a University Resource Fair, where students can learn about different campus offices and services; UnionFest, a late-night event that includes live music, free food and activities; Late Night at the Recreational Sports Center; campus safety presentations by the Purdue police and fire departments; diversity presentations; tips for succeeding in classes and getting involved on campus; and a Meet the Schools picnic, where students can meet with faculty and staff from their respective schools, colleges and programs.

Boiler Gold Rush is a part of the new Student Access, Transition and Success Programs office. The new office also coordinates Day on Campus, Learning Communities, Purdue Opportunity Awards and the West Central Region Support Site for the Twenty-first Century Scholars program. For information on Boiler Gold Rush, or the Student Access, Transition and Success Programs office in general, call (765) 494-9328.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Drew Koch, (765) 496-3618, akkoch@purdue.edu

Shawna Lusk, (765) 494-2329, smlusk@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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