August 8, 2007

Boiler Gold Rush to welcome more than 5,100 students to campus

Approximately 5,100 new Purdue students are expected to participate in Boiler Gold Rush, said Drew Koch, director of Student Access, Transition and Success Programs. Purdue President France A. Córdova will welcome the new students to campus at a Sunday (Aug. 12) evening program.

"We've made a lot of changes to the program this year," Koch said. "We have added a new faculty-generated session dubbed 'Purdue 101' in which associate professor of chemistry Marcy Towns and associate professor of hospitality and tourism management Mick La Lopa will provide our newest students with tips on how to succeed at Purdue.

"In addition, this year marks the launch of our new summer institutes effort. Our first offering, the Science Teaming and Leadership Institute, will begin the Saturday of Boiler Gold Rush move-in and continue throughout the week."

Science Teaming and Leadership Institute (also known as STALI) participants come from the Women in Science and Science Honors Learning Communities, and the institute's components link with the new teamwork emphasis in the Science curriculum.

"The STALI effort gives us another great tool for linking what goes on in the classroom with what goes on during orientation," Koch said.

"We've enhanced our emphasis on student safety and wellness by adding a session on Facebook and other virtual tools," he said. "We'll also have a more robust level of involvement by the Purdue Police and Fire departments, and an enhanced alcohol and substance education effort with the help of staff from the Purdue University Student Wellness Office.

"We also revised our Freezone diversity initiative by adding a student theatrical component that was written by our team leaders last spring under the guidance of visiting theater instructor Katherine Burke. And we have added a Discover Downtown event in conjunction with the Lafayette/West Lafayette Development Corporation."

Students who have signed up for Boiler Gold Rush will check into their permanent residence hall rooms during assigned times on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 11-12). Students who will be living off campus for the academic year will move into their own off-campus locations and will check in for Boiler Gold Rush on Sunday evening.

From 3:30-5 p.m. on both Aug. 11-12, family orientation sessions will be offered, which will give parents and family members a time to interact with Purdue administrators, including representatives from academic advising, the bursar's office, the Center for Career Opportunities, financial aid, the Dean of Students office and University Residences.

"Welcome to Purdue" dinners will be held following family orientation sessions from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 11-12 at Follett's Purdue Bookstore, 1400 W. State St. The free barbecue beef and chicken dinner is optional for all new students and their families and is available while supplies last.

Beginning Monday morning (Aug. 13), the students involved in Boiler Gold Rush will break into smaller groups and be matched with current students who are serving as part of the program staff.

"Grouping the Boiler Gold Rush participants with our volunteer staff members helps students make the necessary academic and personal transitions from high school to Purdue," said Jennifer Wierda, senior assistant director of Student Access, Transition and Success and coordinator of Boiler Gold Rush. "With more than 500 student volunteers, each participant in Boiler Gold Rush will receive individual attention and have someone they can go to with questions or concerns about Purdue and the campus."

Some of the events planned for new students include Crossing the Tracks; Boilermaker Basics: An Up-Close Look at Purdue Athletics; general and class-specific campus tours; UnionFest, a late-night event that includes live music, free food and activities; Late Night at the Recreational Sports Center; a University Resource Fair, where students can learn about different campus offices and services; 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.

A variety of special speakers also will be part of Boiler Gold Rush, with topics including life changes, student wellness, alcohol awareness and campus computing.

Boiler Gold Rush is a part of the Student Access, Transition and Success Programs office. The 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 about Boiler Gold Rush or the Student Access, Transition and Success programs office, call (765) 494-9328.

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

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

Jenny Wierda, (765) 496-3627, jwierda@purdue.edu

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

Note to Journalists: President France A. Córdova will speak at the Boiler Gold Rush's opening ceremonies at 9:45 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 12) at Elliott Hall of Music. She also is scheduled to appear at the UnionFest at 8 p.m. Monday (Aug. 13) and take part in a Meet the Schools Picnic from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 15). To make arrangements to cover these events or any other Boiler Gold Rush activities, contact Christy Jones, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu. A complete list of planned Boiler Gold Rush activities is available at https://www.purdue.edu/sats/bgr

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