WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) -- Students are getting settled-in on Purdue's campus. The university is kicking off its Early Start and Summer Start programs for incoming freshmen.
These students are the first to experience the campus under its new COVID-19 safety measures.
The Early Start and Summer Start programs give incoming students a jump start on the school year.
"The first year of college is definitely the most critical for college students and having Summer Start and Early Start really helps students with that transition to college," said John Gipson, Purdue University's Director of Summer Session.
Students can earn up to 9-credit hours participating in these summer programs. Summer Start gives recent graduating high school seniors an opportunity to earn their admission into Purdue for the fall. Early Start gives freshman already admitted in the college an opportunity to start gaining credits before the fall.
"Students come from all across the United States, some from as far away as California or Florida, and their transitioning to Purdue in this small environment with only 600 students," said Gipson.
This year's session has a total of 1,000 students. 600 of them living on campus and the other 400 taking classes online remotely. As we continue in the COVID-19 pandemic, Gipson said safety and learning are still at the forefront.
"The students who have opted to start this summer are go-getters," said Gipson. "Boilermakers never back down from a challenge and it has been very clear over the last two days that the students coming this summer aren't backing down from this global pandemic either. They're planning to protect Purdue pledge, they're taking all the steps necessary to keep themselves, the Purdue community, our faculty, and staff safe."
Each students' temperature was taken and they were also given a COVID-19 test upon check-in. Gipson said they've had a 100% success rate for temperature scans and the COVID-19 test results will be available in 24 to 48 hours. He said the 34 student mentors were all tested earlier in the week and all results came back negative for the virus. All students had to create a Protect Purdue Health and Safety training module before beginning summer classes.
Summer session students were also given a kit with masks, a face shield, and other sanitation items. All 22 classrooms that will be used this summer have been re-organized to create social distancing between seats. Masks are required inside campus buildings and outside where social distancing isn't possible. The dorms students are staying in this summer only have two beds per room. Gipson is encouraging students to wear masks in public areas within the dorms as well.
He said the safety measures they're taking this summer will also be continued when classes begin for all students in the fall.
"The move-in process has gone very smoothly over the last few days, we've received many positive comments from the students and their parents," said Gipson. "The students are very compliant, they understand the importance of protecting themselves, protecting others, and protecting the Purdue community."
The summer classes officially begin on Monday.
