March 2022 Newsletter

Featured Stories    

Black History Month Recap

Purdue celebrated Black excellence with stories about the giant leaps made by Purdue’s outstanding Black students, alumni, faculty, and staff. We honored the individuals from our Boilermaker history who have made significant impact on our University, and those who are continuing to do so with their bold, life-changing contributions. As part of Black History Month, and beyond, we celebrate those who helped make Purdue University the outstanding institution of higher learning it is today. See the recap.

ITaP warns of recent email spear phishing efforts

Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society Invitations

Congratulations to over 4,300 first year students who received an invitation to join Purdue’s Chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society for First Year Academic Success! Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma recognizes students who earned a 3.5 or above in their first semester of college work OR who have a 3.5 GPA for their first two semesters.

National Alpha Lambda Delta and National Phi Eta Sigma are the two oldest and most prestigious of all of the honor societies that honor and recognize the academic accomplishments of first year students. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1924 and 1923 respectively, they have the highest grade requirement, as many of the other honor societies require between a 3.0-3.4. They are also the only two national honor societies exclusively for first year students that are accredited by the Association of College Honor Societies. 

The spring induction is set for Sunday, March 27, 2022. Parents and family members are encouraged to be there to recognize their students at a very nice ceremony at Loeb Playhouse in Stewart Center.

For more information visit the Purdue’s chapter website, or the two national websites: www.nationalald.org and www.phietasigma.org. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Susan Melson Huffman, Purdue Chapter Advisor and Associate Director, University Residences Administration at smhuffman@purdue.edu.

Severe Weather – Tornadoes & Thunderstorms

Purdue University is located in a region of the United States that is susceptible to dangerous weather events such as severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Faculty, staff, and students must prepare themselves to respond to severe weather by reviewing building emergency plans to locate the building “shelter in place” location and consider the following in any building:

I. Preparation – Shelter in place location and weather warnings

a. Locate the accessible basement or lowest interior corridor in the building.
b. Identify a shelter in place location away from glass and exterior walls,
if possible.
c. Stay informed through local media sources when severe weather
is expected.
d. Obtain a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
weather application or radio.
e. Keep a working flashlight in your office or residential area.

II. Response – Go indoors and shelter in place

a. A "Tornado Warning" issued by the National Weather Service means atmospheric conditions make a tornado likely or a tornado has been sighted and you must seek shelter immediately. When the All-Hazards Outdoor Warning Sirens sound (typically for three minutes) or NOAA sounds a warning alarm tone on the weather application or radio, you must seek shelter immediately.

i. Proceed to the shelter in place location or the lowest level of any
building, away from glass and exterior walls, if possible.

b. A Tornado Warning can be considered “all clear” when NOAA states that the Tornado Warning has expired. NOAA weather applications and local radio and television stations can be used as a source for the expiration of the Tornado Warning time period.
c. Always remain in a place of shelter until you receive an all-clear message or the warning has expired.
d. Dial 911 (Purdue Public Safety Dispatch) to report any life threatening emergency conditions resulting from the storm.
e. Stay out of damaged buildings and avoid broken utility lines (i.e., gas, electric, water).

III. Weather Warning and Response Definitions Weather Warning Signals

• A NOAA weather alert application or radio will sound the appropriate alert.
• Outdoor All-Hazards Emergency Warning Sirens will sound for approximately three minutes.
• Local television or radio stations will provide an emergency alert.
• A Purdue ALERT emergency notification* will typically be sent for a tornado warning via some or all of the following emergency notification layers: text message, desktop popup alert, digital signs, classroom alert beacons, and Boiler TV emergency alert advising of the tornado warning and the expiration time.

Shelter in Place - Proceed to the lowest level of the building including a basement or sub walk. Position yourself in an interior corridor of the area away from glass and exterior walls, if possible. Be prepared to kneel facing a wall and cover your head. Stay sheltered until the warning expires.

Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings - The National Weather Service or NOAA issues “severe thunderstorm” watches and warnings. Tornadoes arise from severe thunderstorms. Stay informed via
one or more of the above weather warning signals for thunderstorm watches and warnings to prepare for the potential of more severe weather.

Tornado Watch - The National Weather Service or NOAA issues a “Tornado Watch” when local atmospheric conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. During a tornado watch, stay informed via one or more of the weather warning signals noted above.

Tornado Warning - The National Weather Service or NOAA issues a "Tornado Warning" when atmospheric conditions make a tornado likely or a tornado has been sighted and you must seek shelter immediately. Monitor the expiration of the tornado warning, and remained sheltered until the tornado warning expires.

Outdoor All-Hazards Emergency Warning Siren Testing - The outdoor All-Hazards Emergency Warning Sirens are tested by Tippecanoe County at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month except during periods of adverse weather conditions. In addition, the seven sirens located on campus are tested once each semester.

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. Questions about summer enrollment can be sent to thinksummer@purdue.edu. 

Information for 1098T

Purdue now reports in Box 1 of the 1098T which represents the amount of Qualified Tuition & Related Expenses (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 on the  IRS website, publication 970 .

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. 

Please note: due to the Winter Recess, any mailed payments including 529s must be received in to Bursar by December 21 ^st to be processed and included on the 2021 1098-T.  Any payments made online electronically & posted by December 31, 2021 will be included.

Purdue University is unable to provide individual tax advice, but should you have questions, please seek the counsel of an informed tax preparer or adviser.

For your general reference, below is a blank sample of the 2021 Form 1098-T, that you will receive electronically via the student account in January 2022. For more information and additional resources about Form 1098-T, visit the  Office of the Bursar website .

Steps to Leaps News

Boiler Financial Track: A Resource for Students to Build Financial Wellness

Financial wellness might not be the first thing students think about when considering their well-being, but it is an important component of one’s overall wellness.

“Financial wellness means having a strong financial foundation,” says Junia McDole, program director of Boiler Financial Track. “It’s about having a plan for your money and not having stress associated with finances.” Read more.

Student Support Services A Starting Point for Students Facing Challenges

When students face new challenges, they often have trouble identifying a plan of action to overcome them – and on a campus as large as Purdue University, locating the proper resource to address the problem can be intimidating.

Student Support Services, located in the Office of the Dean of Students, Room 207, Schleman Hall, is a resource students can use to take their first step in addressing academic, financial and social challenges. Student Support Services partners with students to identify goals and create plans of action to address issues such as class absences, academic and financial challenges, safety and well-being. Read more.

Steps to Leaps - Wellbeing Tip of the Week - Finding joy in connecting with and serving others

Imagine you are living in a dormitory, far from your family, down with fever and cough, feeling weak and suffering from a severe headache. Out of the blue, your friend calls in and sends you a bowl of warm soup, some snacks and fruits or offers you kind words and asks you if you need further help or assistance. How would you feel at that moment?

You may feel as if a weight has been taken off your shoulders. Having a friend who has your back without needing to be asked is a blessing not all have. Knowing you have someone there for you alleviates that dreaded feeling of loneliness. Connecting with others and having someone by your side always brings a sense of mental and emotional happiness and peace.

Such acts and behaviors can themselves generate more prosocial behaviors. When you see someone else going through a similar situation, you may look back at this day and realize just how much it meant to you, making you more inclined to help others in any capacity you can. Such positivity can cascade into so much more as people pass it on.

In some societies and traditions, service to others and the community is often considered worthy, an act of righteousness and a path to achieve transcendence. Keeping oneself engaged in different community service activities is also helpful to prevent the sense of loneliness and find our peace and internal satisfaction.

Attending to the needs of other people and interacting with them brings new ideas and creativity, gives us a sense of meaning and purpose, boosts our self-esteem and brings personal growth and transformation. Serving others can improve our support networks, encourage us to lead a more active and meaningful life, distract us from our own problems, cultivate optimism and increase personal satisfaction.

So go out, show your kindness to the world by serving others and you will find joy in and around you!

Dr. Nasreen Lalani and Ali Hasan Lalani

Commencement Corner

As a reminder, there is a dedicated website for Purdue Commencement providing Key Dates, Ticketing Information, Parking Information and many other helpful tips as your student prepares for Commencement.

Commencement Task list open for spring candidates

The Commencement task list is now open in candidate's myPurdue portal. To participate in the upcoming Commencement ceremony in May, they will be required to complete the task list items by Friday, Apr. 4 at 10 p.m. ET.

Students may also order their cap and gown at a discounted rate until Monday, Apr. 11 (see link in task list).

Spring Commencement Dates

Division I -- Friday, May 13, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. ET

• Agriculture
• Engineering (Schools of ABE, ME, MSE)

Division II -- Friday, May 13, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET

• Engineering (Schools of AAE, BME, CE, CHE, CNE, ECE, EV, IE, IDE, NE)

Division III -- Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. ET

• Science
• Veterinary Medicine (Undergraduate and Professional)

Division IV -- Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. ET

• Liberal Arts
• Management

Division V -- Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. ET

• Health and Human Sciences (Undergraduate and Professional)

Division VI -- Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. ET

• Education
• Pharmacy (Undergraduate and Professional)
• Polytechnic Institute (Undergraduate and Professional)

Division VII -- Monday, May 16, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. ET

• Graduate School (Masters and Doctor of Philosophy-All Schools and Colleges)

Summer Commencement Dates

Saturday, August 6, 2022, 9:30 a.m. ET

• All Schools and Colleges

Saturday, August 6, 2022, 1:30 p.m. ET

• Doctor of Philosophy (All Schools and Colleges)

Dates

March 7, Second Eight-Week Courses Begin

March 11, Last day to withdraw from a course with a W or WF grade & Last day to add/modify a course with instructor, advisor, and department head signatures

March 14, Schedule of classes published for Fall 2022

March 14-19, Spring Vacation

April 30, Classes end

May 2-7 Final Exams

May 7, Semester ends

May 13-16, Commencement

2021-2022 Academic Calendar