Whether callouts for student groups, sign-ups for intramural sports or invitations to attend religious services, the opportunities are endless. Included in the push is expansion of programs to reach incoming first-year students before the start of the fall semester. One example is Purdue Summer Start, which brings students to the West Lafayette Campus in June to start classes. Known as Early Start when it was begun in 1996, the program originally targeted incoming School of Science freshmen from disadvantaged backgrounds. This past summer, the program was expanded to include students from all West Lafayette Campus schools and all academic and economic backgrounds.
Participants earn credits by taking summer school offerings.
As beneficial as this jump is for their college careers, Purdue Summer Starters also are exposed to a range of social and other experiences. These include tours of libraries, computer labs, the Recreational Sports Center and other stops students will make frequently during their college days. In addition, the 23 participants lived in the residence halls and took trips to Indiana Beach amusement park, a Lafayette Leopards baseball game and other outings in Greater Lafayette. Plans call for expansion of Purdue Summer Start in coming years. Another early start program, Boiler Gold Rush, has shown success in improving retention.