Mid-April 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.

Spring departure testing, surveillance testing and other guidance for students and employees

As we approach the end of the spring semester, Purdue is committed to helping students return home safely and offers the following end-of-semester guidance for all Boilermakers:

Spring surveillance testing

Student surveillance testing will conclude Friday, April 23.
Employee random surveillance testing will conclude Saturday, May 8.
Weekly testing of critical on-campus employees (including police, fire, medical, utility operators and others) will continue until further notice.

Pre-departure testing

For anyone who wishes to be tested for COVID-19 before departing campus, the Protect Purdue Health Center will offer expanded capacity for testing starting Monday, April 26.
A link to schedule a test will be available on this page on Monday, April 19, and will be communicated with campus through usual channels.
PPHC testing is conducted using PCR viral tests. Results from on-campus testing are typically returned within approximately 48-72 hours.

Move out

Information and procedures for students moving out of University Residences is available here.

Commencement

In-person commencement will return in May 2021; Spring ’21 commencement for undergraduate, Graduate School master’s and professional candidates will be held at Ross-Ade Stadium on May 15; a ceremony for doctoral candidates will be held in Elliott Hall of Music on May 16.
Special commencement week event and visitor guidelines will be in effect May 10-16 only.

COVID-19 vaccines

All Boilermakers are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their continued commitment to protect themselves, protect others and protect Purdue.
Purdue’s campus vaccine site is open 7 days per week to vaccinate as many students and employees as possible before the end of the spring semester.
Additional information on the COVID-19 vaccine, Purdue’s campus vaccine site and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Protect Purdue website.
Already fully vaccinated? Submit documentation to PPHC.

Summer COVID-19 testing

Summer surveillance testing protocols for students and employees will be evaluated and communicated prior to May 8.
Symptomatic testing will continue to be offered by PPHC until further notice. Information on how to schedule a test is available online.

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.

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.

Archives and Special Collections seeking submissions for COVID Stories project

Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, in conjunction with Purdue Libraries administration, the Office of the Provost and WBAA public radio, is asking faculty, staff and students to submit their personal stories for inclusion in the newly launched Purdue COVID Stories project. Read more.

Purdue scientists key in state’s battle against COVID variants, future viral threats

Purdue University is at the forefront of Indiana’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 variants and remains uniquely able to assist should the pandemic surge or change course in the weeks, months or years ahead.

“When challenges like this arise, Purdue steps in,” said Willie Reed, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and head of the vaccine task force. “The combination of scientific and engineering excellence makes us stand out from the crowd. We have STEM expertise, including a world-class veterinary medical school, biomedical researchers and more. People from all areas of the university have stepped up as we knew they would, using their expertise and willingness to immediately apply their knowledge to this worldwide challenge.”

Tracking the genetics of a virus or any disease gives scientists insights into how it is moving through a community and allows them to take steps to slow the spread. Comparing genomics also can help scientists understand how the variant is responding to vaccinations, as well as other anti-infectious measures including masks, quarantines, social distancing, intensive cleaning and other procedures. Read more.

Featured Stories

In-person learning is more effective — and Purdue is making it safe

In-person classes are a positive factor in the student learning experience, leading to greater well being and academic success. With data showing no in-class transmission of COVID-19 at Purdue, Jenna Rickus, vice provost for teaching and learning, says that Purdue classrooms are one of the safest places you could be. See more.

Trustees: Purdue to add civics literacy requirement for incoming class, option for all students

The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Monday (April 19) announced its plan to adopt a civics literacy graduation requirement for undergraduates, beginning with students who enter Purdue in fall 2021. The board will vote on the requirement at its June 11 public meeting.

The civics literacy program ultimately will be a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students beginning with this fall’s incoming class. The program will be available and optional for all other students and will lead to a notation of Civics Literacy Proficiency on the student transcript. Read more.

Virtual tours provide sneak peek of future facilities on WL campus

Across the West Lafayette campus, giant leaps forward – made possible in large part through the generosity of the Boilermaker family – are underway. Last week, the Purdue for Life Foundation pulled back the curtain on five future facilities through virtual tour videos.

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 Overcoming Challenges One Step at a Time.

Now's the time to Think Summer

It’s not too late to apply for summer financial aid. As long as your student has completed the 2021-2022 FAFSA, encourage them to apply for summer aid in their myPurdue portal. More information about summer aid can be viewed here.

Summer programming to return in 2021; Protect Purdue summer guidelines announced

As campus leaders work closely with medical advisors to safely bring campus life closer to normal, Purdue University announces the return of select summer academic programs and updates to various Protect Purdue protocols and guidelines for the summer session, which will take effect May 9.

“As case numbers recede and more of our campus community becomes vaccinated against COVID-19, we are excited to resume many of our typical great summer programs,” said John Gipson, director of Summer Session. “We have worked very carefully with university leadership and the Medical Advisory Team to ensure we continue to do everything possible to keep our community safe as we deliver an outstanding Boilermaker experience this summer.” Click here for more updates.

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!

Commencement Information

Purdue commencement team releases initial details for May ceremonies

Purdue University commencement organizers are releasing initial details for the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 15-16 in West Lafayette.

Undergraduate candidates (all schools and colleges), professional candidates (Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Pharmacy) and master’s degree candidates will participate in a ceremony at 10 a.m. May 15 at Ross-Ade Stadium. Candidates will need to check in at Lambert Fieldhouse based on the schedule that has been published on the commencement website. Candidates will line up in Parking Lot A starting at 7:15 a.m. The processional will begin at 8:45 a.m. for the 4,679 undergraduate candidates, 213 professional candidates and 612 master’s candidates.

The Graduate School will have its Ph.D. ceremony at 10 a.m. May 16 at Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music. Candidates will need to check in at the Armory (north entrance) starting at 8:30 a.m. The processional will begin at 9:10 a.m. for the 198 doctoral candidates.

The release of tickets will be announced the week of May 10. All guests of candidates in the Ross-Ade ceremony will need to follow the Ross-Ade Stadium bag check as well as follow the policy of clear bags. Limited seating meeting standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be available. Parking and shuttle service details for both ceremonies will be released closer to commencement.

Graduate School guests at Elliott Hall of Music will need to have bags checked before entering the building.

Currently, Purdue is allowing a maximum of two guest tickets. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tickets will be for assigned seating at the stadium and Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets cannot be transferred to others. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels will speak at the May 15 ceremony and Purdue Provost Jay Akridge will speak at the May 16 ceremony.

“We are excited to have the ability to have two commencement ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments and next giant leaps of Boilermakers,” said Chris Pass, senior assistant registrar. “Our large commencement working group has been working nonstop in planning the ceremonies and various details needed to make these events special for the Class of 2021.

The ceremonies will be held in accordance with Protect Purdue event and visitor guidelines for Commencement week. Any additional specific health and safety information will be communicated closer to the ceremony.

For more information, visit the Purdue the Spring 2021 FAQ page or commencement website.