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December 2019 Newsletter
Parents & Families,
We hope your student was able to enjoy some down time during the Thanksgiving break, it is hard to believe classes end Saturday and finals are next week! Although we are only in the first few days of December, and it is already gearing up to be a busy month at Purdue! On campus, the Christmas tree arrived to the Purdue Memorial Union yesterday afternoon, kicking off Holidays at the Union and there are a number of events continuing on campus this week (see Events).
Visitors will also be able to see and vote for their favorite gingerbread creation. The gingerbread competition showcases the talent of Purdue Dining Services employees, who create gingerbread compositions to be judged by a panel of University employees and students. The creations arrived Monday, December 2, and will remain on display through December 6. The display is located in the Main Lounge directly adjacent to the Great Hall in PMU.
Everywhere on campus, you will find students hunkering down in their favorite study spots preparation for their upcoming finals. As your student finds time for study breaks throughout the rest of this week and during finals, Hicks Library is hosting opportunities for students to destress. If your student is unable to work one of these opportunities into their schedule and needs to find something they can do in their own time, students can practice mindfulness in their room or by visiting the Mindfulness Room in the CoRec. This time of the year we begin seeing less daylight in Indiana, so some may also benefit from Light Therapy offered by Recreation & Wellness.
Soon, your student will be able to step back and reflect on the fall semester and adjust for new beginnings for the spring semester. As your student looks to make changes for the new year, they should consider programs on campus such as Wellness Coaching, Boiler Financial Track or Nutrition Counseling through Recreation & Wellness or by meeting with a Peer Success Coach in the Academic Success Center.
Many warm wishes to your family this holiday season,
Parent & Family Connections
Featured Stories
Finals are coming up for Purdue students, and with them a due amount of stress. It is important that your Purdue Boilermaker know how to best manage this stressful season. Below are some excellent coping skills and things to consider:
- Exercise is great at reducing stress and even preventing future mental health concerns. Encourage your Boilermaker to make intentional time to use the CoRec and other Recreation and Wellness services!
- Social support is perhaps the king of coping skills. It normalizes feelings of stress, reduces heart rate, and even releases natural anti-inflammatories to help combat the damage from stress. A coffee with a friend, or joining a study group can work wonders during final season.
- Sleep is key! Did you know that most of our long-term memories form while we sleep?! Staying up late to study can actually be hurting your Boilermaker’s chances of remembering newly learned information. Encourage your Boilermaker to make sleep a priority during finals week—even a quick nap can help increase alertness and attention.
- Realistic expectations can be easy to ignore, but detrimental to mental health. Help your student avoid perfectionistic self-views, but instead to remain proud of their efforts as they work their hardest during finals.
Purdue Gift Giving Guides
If you are looking for the perfect gift for your Boilermaker, look no further! Check out the Purdue Team Store’s Holiday Guide for spirit wear. Does your Boilermaker need a tech upgrade? Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP) has information on computers, accessories and software. Looking for a book for the special someone, the Purdue University Press has over 20 selected titles available on their Winter Gift Catalog with discounts of 40% off! Last, but not least, Purdue Inspire released their latest edition of the Engineering Gift Guide with MORE quality STEM books, SPACE-THEMED toys and books, and inspiring articles!
Information for 1098T
Purdue now reports in Box 1 of the 1098T which represents the amount of QTRE paid during the year.
Depending on the students’ income (or family income, if the student is a dependent), whether the student is considered full or half-time enrolled, and the amount of the qualified educational expenses for the year, the student maybe eligible for a federal education tax credit. (Detailed information about claiming education tax credits are available in IRS Publication 970, page 9. -- currently points to 2018 tax information, but should be updated after the first of the year)
The dollar amounts reported on the Form 1098-T may assist in completing IRS Form 8863 – the form used for calculating the education tax credits that a taxpayer may claim as part of their tax return.
Purdue University is unable to provide individual tax advice, but should you have questions, you should seek the counsel of an informed tax preparer or adviser.
Below is a blank sample of the 2019 Form 1098-T, that you will receive in January 2020, for your general reference. For more information and additional resources about Form 1098-T, visit the Office of the Bursar website.
University Residences Winter Break Housing
University Residences will be closed for winter recess starting at noon December 16th through January 9th. During this time, students have the option to sign up for room only-interim housing. Room only-interim housing is available to students wishing to stay during the break for an additional charge of $500, as room and board charges do not cover this scheduled vacation period (except for Purdue Village, Hilltop Apartments and UR Boiler Apartments). Students living in University Residences who wish to stay over the break may remain in their current room for an additional charge of $500. Meal service will be available during Winter Break at the All American Dining Room - lunch and dinner hours to be determined. Payments can be made by using BoilerExpress, Dining Dollars or debit/credit card. The deadline to sign up for Winter Break housing is December 16, 2019. Pre-registration is required for anyone staying over break. For more information visit the Winter Break Housing website.
Parents Fund Update
During the Fall meeting, the Purdue University Parent & Family Advisory Board selected the recipients of this year’s "Big Give" Grant. The Big Give Grant is made possible through the generosity of many Purdue parents and families by their gifts to the Parents Fund. Grants support initiatives that will have a significant reach and impact on Purdue students. The following recipients received awards:
- Center for Career Opportunities, Career Closet
- SPAN Plan Non-Traditional Student Services, Child Care Assistance
- ACE Food Pantry
Each of these winners and their programs will be highlighted in future monthly newsletters. For more information about the Purdue Parents Fund or to make a gift, visit Parents Fund.
Events
Hicks Study Breaks
As mentioned in the opening message, Hicks Undergraduate Library will be hosting events for students to relax and de-stress during prep and finals weeks.
Holidays in the Union
One of Purdue's longest running traditions, Holidays at the Union began ushering in the holidays yesterday, December 2 in the Great Hall of the Purdue Memorial Union with the arrival of the Christmas Tree. The official lighting of the tree will take place at 6:00 p.m. this evening, Tuesday, December 3.
This year the Purdue Student Union Board and Purdue Global Network Connections will host The World's Fair in the PMU North Ballroom on December 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to display experience different cultures that make up the diversity on campus. Celebrations will continue through Saturday, December 7th with Breakfast with Santa in the PMU Great Hall.
Visitors will also be able to see and vote for their favorite gingerbread creation. The gingerbread competition showcases the talent of Purdue Dining Services employees, who create gingerbread compositions to be judged by a panel of University employees and students. The creations arrived Monday, December 2, and will remain on display through December 6. The display is located in the Main Lounge directly adjacent to the Great Hall in PMU.
Watch Parent & Family Connections Facebook page for photos and videos of various events.
Tubas, Horns, and Jazz - Oh my!
The following are events you won't want to miss from Purdue Bands and Orchestras
Tuba Christmas - Friday, December 6 - 7:30 p.m.
This holiday favorite concert is a must see! This concert is a campus-community partnership inviting low brass performers from the community to play alongside student musicians with euphoniums, sousaphones, and of course, tubas. Don’t miss this unique holiday experience! The concert is free and open to the public.
Christmas Horn Extravaganza - Saturday, December 7 - 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Matthews Hall, University St
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Purdue Bands & Orchestras presents a Christmas Horn Extravaganza! Nearly 20 french horn players will perform music to help celebrate the holidays. Join us in Matthews Hall Room 210 to bring in the holidays with our french horn players! This concert is free and open to the public.
Holiday Cheer & All That Jazz - Saturday, December 7 - 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Loeb Playhouse, 128 Memorial Mall
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Join us for our annual extravaganza, "Holiday Cheer & All That Jazz" featuring all of our jazz bands, in Loeb Playhouse at 7:30 PM. Free and open to the public.
"Winter Works"
The annual fall showcase of the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company, will feature student dancers and choreography by Division of Dance faculty. 7:30 p.m. on Friday; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Pao Hall, Nancy T. Hansen Theatre. Reserved seating: public, $14; students, $11; children 1-12 years, $7; under age 1, free.
Lafayette Christmas Parade
Join the community, “All-American” Marching Band, and hopefully North Pole visitors without North Pole temperatures for the Lafayette Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street in Lafayette, from 1000 block to 200 block.
86th Annual Purdue Christmas Show
Join Purdue Musical Organizations for their pinnacle, most powerful production of the year- the 86th Annual Purdue Christmas Show! Visit the Christmas Show website for ticket information.
- Saturday, December 7 - Shows at 12, 4, and 8 pm.
- Sunday, December 8 - Show at 2 pm
Dates
December 7, Classes End
December 8, Schedule of Classes published for Summer 2020 Term
December 9-14, Final Exams
December 14, Semester Ends (9:00 p.m.)
December 15, Winter Commencement
January 13, Spring Semester Classes Begin
January 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No Classes)
January 21, Last day to register without a late fee (5:00 p.m.)
January 27, Last day to cancel a course assignment without it appearing on record
March 9, Second eight-week courses begin
March 16, Schedule of classes published for Fall 2020 Term
March 16-21, Spring Vacation
May 2, Classes end
May 4-9, Final Exams
May 9, Semester ends
May 15-17, Commencement
See the full 2019-2020 academic calendar