Welcome!
We're
delighted that your family has chosen Purdue and our
college for your son's or daughter's educational
adventure.
Here you'll find oustanding programs, great facilities, and, most of all, wonderful
people.
Your
son or daughter will find a sense of community in our many smaller departments.
He or she will find opportunities to participate and grow in leadership, as
well as supportive and helpful faculty.
We
will do everything we can to help your daughter or son succeed. Below are links
to resources, information, and hints that we hope you'll find helpful.
Below, you'll find more information in sections titled
Staying
Involved
Are
you sending your first son or daughter to college? If so, you may feel a little
lost or worried about what could happen. Even if you've done this before, you
might feel concerned. As a parent, it's tough, but important, to let go and
allow a son or daughter to make his or her way in the world – even to
make mistakes and learn from them.
Here
are some ideas about how you can be involved in your daughter's or son's educational
experiences.
-
Ask what your son or daughter likes or dislikes about college courses and
studying. Ask how his/her ideas for the future are changing.
-
Attend campus events when you're invited. We especially hope to see you on
Family Day in September, when departments are open and faculty can visit with
you.
-
Read the e-newsletter sent by Dale Whittaker, Associate Dean of Agriculture.
Give us feedback if you have concerns or suggestions.
(E-mail Dr. Whittaker at dwhittak@purdue.edu
to receive his parent newsletter.)
-
When your daughter or son needs help, refer her/him to campus resources (see
list). Start with your student's advisor
who can identify others who can help.
-
Urge your son or daughter to make his or her own appointments.
-
Allow your daughter or son to choose courses, decide how to spend time, and
learn to study. Don't expect perfection!
-
Encourage your son or daughter to visit the Latino or Black Cultural Center;
to study abroad, to participate in a service-learning project; or to attend
social events, lectures, or concerts outside his/her normal interests. A college
campus provides students a safe way to step outside comfort zones and interact
with other cultures and ideas. College can be a mind-opening experience!
-
Resist the urge to be in touch daily. Allow your daughter or son to initiate
the contact and trust that things are going well.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q:
Does my daughter or son need to have a computer to succeed
at Purdue University?
A:
A student does not need to have a computer to succeed, but it becomes
more and more helpful as they progress in their educational pursuit. There are
many computers in labs campus-wide and small computer labs in the residence
halls. If students wish to have their own computers, they will have Internet
access in their residence hall rooms. The campus is largely wireless, if students
prefer to use laptops.
Q:
Does Purdue offer a discount to students for computers and
software?
A:
Purdue offers some discounts for computers and software – see http://www.itap.purdue.edu/shopping/.
Through a new agreement with HP, Purdue offers students an option to purchase
a high quality notebook or tablet with excellent warrantee, insurance, and customer
support. You can also look at sample products in Stewart Center G65 and find
software in the Purdue Memorial Union at the print shop on the main floor.
Q:
Is the campus safe?
A:
According to the Parent Handbook 2006-07 "Making sure
that students are safe is a primary focus of the University. Purdue makes
every effort to provide a safe environment." That said, however, students should
use common sense about where and when they walk. The Purdue University Police
Department publishes an annual security report, there are many emergency telephones
on campus, and the Student Security Patrol offers the Safe-Walk program. See
http://www.purdue.edu/police/pdf/YourCampus.pdf or p. 46 of the Parent Handbook .
Q:
Does Purdue have a form to sign so that I can have access
to my son's or daughter's grades?
A:
Purdue must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974 (FERPA). Since educational records belong to the student, we cannot
release information without explicit consent of the student. Purdue, unlike
some other colleges, does not have a specific form for students to release information,
but the student may consent to release grades to designated people by writing
and signing a statement to that effect. We advise parents to reach an understanding
with their students to share grades. For more information about FERPA and Purdue
policies see www.purdue.edu/policies/pages/records/c_51.html or p. 21 of the Parent Handbook. You may also consult the Office of the Registrar (765.494.8219) for answers to your FERPA questions.
Q:
Is underage drinking a problem?
A:
Any level of underage drinking is a problem, so we encourage you to discuss
this with your daughter/son before arriving on campus. Help her/him understand
the consequences of alcohol. Consult page 23 and pages 44-45 of the Parent
Handbook.
Q:
Is there tutoring or help if my son/daughter has difficulty
in classes?
A:
There are many resources. Please see the Academic Assistance
portion of this document. If your son/daughter is having academic
difficulty, please encourage him/her to talk to his/her advisor.
Q:
May students bring cars their first year?
A:
Parking on campus is limited and difficult. According to the Parent
Handbook, "Due to the large number of student automobiles, first-year
students living on campus may not purchase parking permits. Residence hall managers
handle exceptions on a case-by-case basis." (p. 31 Parent Handbook )
Q:
What about bringing a bicycle?
A:
Bicycles are an excellent way to get around campus. There are
many bike racks outside buildings. Students should bring good locks and
understand that there is no available inside storage for bikes at the residence
halls.
Q:
Will my daughter/son be able to change classes if she/he cannot
understand a foreign teacher?
A:
We encourage students to stay in a class taught by someone with a foreign
accent. Often, a student will learn to understand the accent, and many of these
teachers offer excellent courses. However, there may be alternatives (other
divisions of the same class, alternate classes, or the option of taking the
course in a different semester) if a student cannot make the current class work.
The student should speak with her/his advisor.
Q:
What if my son or daughter cannot get along with his or her roommate?
A:
Encourage him/her to work it out with the roommate. Your direct involvement
usually will not help in this matter. If the students are unable to work things
out together, they should consult their residence hall counselor, who will have
knowledge of these issues and how to proceed.
Q:
Is Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) a good idea?
A:
Most of the feedback about BGR that we receive is positive. This is an
excellent opportunity for incoming students to make the transition to campus
life, to meet other students, and to feel more confident as they approach the
school year.
Q:
Is study abroad really important?
A:
The College encourages all students to participate in an overseas experience.
The students not only gain knowledge, they also learn personal skills,
re-align perspectives, and change attitudes – all lessons they can apply
throughout their lives. If you have questions or concerns about study
abroad, please contact the International Programs in Agriculture office.
Q
: I'm concerned that my daughter or son will be anxious
about fitting in. What can you suggest?
A:
There are many organizations and resources on campus to help students
with anxiety about belonging. One organization housed in the College of Agriculture
is MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences)
which offers personal and academic support to any interested student. See http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/manrrs/
for more information. There are many more resources and organizations inside
and outside the COA; students should consult with their academic advisors for
referals.
Q:
What about joining a Learning Community?
A:
Learning Communities can be very valuable in helping new students find
a group of like-minded individuals. Often, these student cohorts foster strong
friendships that last throughout the educational tenure. If your student is
interested in joining a Learning Community, we urge you to encourage his/her
participation! The student should speak to his/her academic advisor who can
determine if there is space available.
Q:
What meal plan is best?
A:
Ask your daughter or son to consider her/his eating habits. Base your
decision on the information you have; she/he may up the number of meals at any
time and lower the number for the next semester. Be aware that meal plans are
very flexible; students can pack and bring a lunch, and use their meal card
at a number of dining locations for a variety of specialty meals. Students
may choose plans offering 10, 15 or 20 meals per week. Go to www.housing.purdue.edu
(click on "dining") for more information.
Q:
My son/daughter is interested in developing his/her leadership
skills. What opportunities are there?
A:
The College of Agriculture offers a Leadership Development Certificate
Program for students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours and who have
at least four semesters left in their degree programs. For more information
go to http://www.ydae.purdue.edu/ldcp/default.html
Helpful
URLs
Acronyms @ Purdue
Calendars
(various Purdue calendars)
CityBus
of Lafayette/West Lafayette — provides free transportation
for Purdue students in the Greater Lafayette area
Dean of Students Office, Scholastic Probation
Express
Air Coach (one way or round-trip ground shuttle service between
campus and O'Hare airport in Chicago), phone: 765-743-3120
Family
Day click on What's New?
Lafayette
Limo (one-way or round-trip service between campus and the Indianapolis
Airport nine times daily)
laflimo@lafayettelimo.com
or 765.497.3828
Contact
Information
When
you don't know where to go for information, have your son or daughter begin
by contacting his/her advisor.
You
can also contact us.
Thoughts
to Ponder
Skills
college freshmen need — and often lack, according to campus officials.
- Asking
and negotiating for what they need
- Sharing
personal and communal living space
- Exercising
basic personal safety skills
- Showing
self-reliance in the face of adversity
- Tracking
and controlling personal spending
- Keeping
healthy study, eating, and sleep habits
---
Wall Street Journal, "Out of the Nest"
During
college and the first years after graduation, young adults should be learning
to make decisions for themselves and dealing with
the consequences. Parents can help or hinder that process.
---
Newsweek, "The Fine Art of Letting Go"
You
have to let them fail and face those tough situations. It's not easy to do.
But if you don't, think about the message you are conveying
to your son or daughter – that they're not able to handle their own life.
---
Helen Johnson, Don't Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money
