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Mid-March 2021 Newsletter
COVID-19 Information from Purdue
Although we are continuing to keep families updates with information sent to the Purdue community, for the most up-to-date information and FAQ's please visit the Protect Purdue website, and the Purdue COVID-19 Dashboard.
What Your Student Should Do If They Are Sick
All faculty, staff and students are expected to monitor for and report all symptoms of COVID-19 to the Protect Purdue Health Center.
First Steps
- If your student is sick, experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they should stay home and do not attend work or class. If they are at work or in class when symptoms begin, they should go home immediately.
- Students should inform their instructor and/or supervisor of their absence and contact the Protect Purdue Health Center 24/7 at 765-496-INFO (4636) or toll-free at 833-571-1043. (A call tree option is available after hours.) Students will be connected with a registered nurse case manager, who will help determine the appropriate course of care, which could include self-quarantine and a COVID-19 test.
Next Steps
- Students, faculty and staff are expected to follow the directions provided by the case manager from the Protect Purdue Health Center, including any testing, contact tracing and quarantine or isolation instructions.
- Do not return to work or class until you receive clearance to do so from the Protect Purdue Health Center.
- Information and resources for anyone in isolation or quarantine are available from the Protect Purdue Health Center.
The importance of surveillance testing
Spring 2021 events guidelines
The following guidelines for events remain in effect until further notice, are part of the Protect Purdue Plan, and were developed to help ensure the health and safety of the campus community. It is important to note that these guidelines may be modified as the COVID-19 situation and corresponding federal, state and local guidance continues to evolve. More.
Remember the Protect Purdue Pledge when participating in outdoor activities, traveling
Being a part of the Boilermaker community means that each of us must take steps to stay well and persistently protect each other, on campus and off campus. The Protect Purdue Pledge outlines these steps, which include proper and consistent wearing of face masks, social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and monitoring and reporting symptoms to the Protect Purdue Health Center. More.
The next giant leap in protecting Purdue: COVID-19 Vaccines
Three safe and highly effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available in the United States. All Boilermakers, especially the most vulnerable, are strongly encouraged to receive a vaccine as soon as they are eligible. Information on vaccine eligibility, the Purdue COVID-19 vaccine allocation task force and answers to common questions are available on the Protect Purdue vaccine webpage.
Reminder: Face masks must be worn even if a you have received the COVID-19 vaccine
Anyone on campus, including students, staff, faculty, contractors, vendors, suppliers and visitors, is required to follow Protect Purdue protocols, including correctly and consistently wearing face masks. Those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine and/or been infected with the virus are still required to correctly wear a face mask and follow other Protect Purdue protocols. Read more.
Purdue asks campus community to participate in new COVID-19 vaccine verification program
All faculty, staff and students affiliated with the West Lafayette campus are encouraged to participate in a new verification program once they’ve been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to assist Protect Purdue efforts in managing the health and safety of the campus community. Read more.
Summer 2021 Campus Experience
Guided by current public health and safety recommendations, our plan for summer 2021 will look much like spring 2021. For example, mask wearing, social distancing and contact tracing will continue. Some important details are included below to help students plan for summer enrollment. More.
Featured Stories
Reading Day - March 18
The second of three Reading Days for Purdue's Spring 2021 semester will be held March 18. Reading Day will give faculty and students a brief respite from instruction to permit them to focus on their preparation and understanding of materials. Campus will remain open, and students are expected to remain on campus. However, no classes (undergraduate, graduate, professional) will be in session.
What is a Reading Day is a day for students to Refresh. Recreate. Reset. Students can take advantage of a wide array of special offerings for each of the Reading Days—and the late afternoons and evenings prior! Campus organizations of all sorts are supporting student's rejuvenation with fun “grab and go” activities and food, movie breaks, restorative yoga and meditation, games, free-play piano hubs, and much more. Additional information on Reading Day activities can be found here. This page is continuously updated. Be sure to check back often!
Purdue Student Activities and Organizations
@PurdueSAO shares opportunities to get involved, connect with Student Activities & Organizations staff and features Instagram lives and IGTV on various involvement topics. Ask your student if they follow PurdueSAO on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube, and if not, encourage them to follow today!
Steps to Leaps - Well Being Tips
Dr. Louis Tay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences. He has expertise in well-being, assessments, and data science. Each week Steps to Leaps provides an weekly wellness tip - this week's tip is Opening up for Healing.
Now's the time to Think Summer
More than 6,000 students are already registered for summer courses to help them speed time to graduation. Encourage your student to explore course options and talk with their academic advisor during upcoming appointments. The latest Protect Purdue guidance on summer can be viewed here if your student is considering living on campus.
Office of the Dean of Students available to assist students in need of support
As the semester continues, the Office of the Dean of Students wants to remind the campus community that ODOS remains available to assist in providing support for students who are on campus as well as with students who are working remotely.
ODOS can help students navigate challenges they are experiencing both personally and academically. Faculty and staff who recognize a student who may be in need of support or additional care are encouraged to share their concern with ODOS. A list of common reported concerns is available online.
Here are some examples of concerns in a remote learning environment:
- Concerning comments in electronic communication or social media.
- Change in behavior (lack of engagement in coursework; marked drop in performance).
- Stopped communication (no longer responding to academic outreach).
Additionally, students affected by COVID-19 (self or family diagnoses, financial insecurity, etc.) also can be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for support.
Student of Concern Reports prompt individualized outreach to students by members of the Office of the Dean of Students and can be submitted online.
Reminder: CAPS is Open!
CAPS is available to assist students in addressing their mental health concerns, which may have been affected by the global pandemic and civil unrest. The CAPS staff is happy to serve currently enrolled, degree-seeking Purdue students. As the campus mental health providers, CAPS is strongly committed to serving a diverse student body including students of all racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds, sexual/affectional orientations, gender identities, mental and physical abilities, languages, classes, ages, religion and spirituality, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more.
CAPS is currently offering remote services which includes Brief Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Workshops, Psychiatric Services, Care Management, Crisis and Emergency Services, and Outreach and Consultation. If your student is seeking CAPS services, they should call 765-494-6995 to schedule a brief phone screening with a counselor. CAPS brief screenings are available within 1-2 business days to ensure staff can be connected as quickly as possible. At the end of the screening, the counselor will provide the student with services that best meet their mental health needs at CAPS, other Purdue services or in the community.
Want to learn more about CAPS? Visit the CAPS website, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube accounts for more information.
Did you know CAPS also offers self-help resources? WellTrack is an online, self-help resource that is available to all Purdue students.
Parent & Family Virtual Events
Parent & Family Connections was excited to bring families virtual opportunities to learn more about resources at Purdue so you can best guide your student. If you missed any of our events thus far, you can find a list of previous events on the Parent & Family Connections website. Watch your inbox for additional Spring 2021 events!
Dates
March 18, Reading Day
April 13, Reading Day
April 30, Last Day to Withdraw from a Course with a W or WF grade
April 30, Last Day to Add/Modify a Course with Instructor, Advisor, and Department Head Signature
May 1, Classes End
May 3-8, Final Exams
May 8, Semester Ends
May 8, Deadline for Pending Spring 2020 Incomplete Grades to Become Failing Grades
May 15, Commencement
May 16, Commencement