Students

Develop Technical and Organizational Leadership and Other Professional Skills in VIP

VIP provides the time and context for you to gain deeper insights into your field of study, to learn and practice professional skills, to make substantial contributions to real-world projects, and to become proficient in different roles on teams. In VIP, you will learn to integrate and apply knowledge from your coursework and have the opportunity to develop critical professional skills, including oral and written communication, technical coordination, project management, independent learning, leadership, and information literacy.

The long-term nature of VIP creates an inclusive environment of mentorship, with faculty and graduate students guiding teams, experienced students mentoring new students and moving into leadership roles as others graduate. Although registration for multiple semesters is not required (except for Learning Community and Senior Design Students), you will gain the most from VIP if you participate for multiple semesters and/or years.

Teams:

Each team is structured uniquely to fit the individual projects, and thus have different expectations related to goal of the team and prior knowledge and skills. Check out the teams link to find the team(s) that align with your interests.

Registration:

Course numbers, CRN codes, and instructions on how to register can be found here.  Please note that VIP must be taken for a letter grade.  It cannot be taken P/NP.

Course Documents and Other Info:

Purchasing Guidelines:

Each team should assign ONE individual to place all orders. This individual will be responsible for placing ALL orders with the Purchasing Team as well as obtaining a PURDUE credit card from ARMS 1085. See below for the two methods for purchasing that are allowed.

  1. Local Vendors - (Walmart, Menards, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.)
    • For these purchases, you will use the Purdue credit card which you will get from ARMS 1085.
    • PRIOR to getting a credit card, you need to complete a Senior Design Purchase Request form (Excel template).
      • You cannot check out a credit card without the Excel template completed and printed.
      • The form must be signed by your instructor or lecturer (or have an email approval printed and attached to the form).
    • You must complete ONE form for each Vendor. Do not combine multiple vendors on one form.
    • The credit card must be returned by 4:30pm (or based on special approval from the individual checking out the card to keep the card longer).
    • Upon return of the card, you must have an itemized receipt showing all the items purchased, the card transaction information and grand total (without tax).
  2. All Other Non-Local Vendors - (Online orders)
    • For these purchases, you will contact the Engineering Purchasing Center. They will process the order for you. Do not order on your own. 
    • Complete a Senior Design Purchase Request form (Excel template). Be sure to include your Team Name on the form. 
    • You must complete ONE form for each Vendor. Do not combine multiple vendors on one form. Please only send one form per ticket/email when sending to the Purchasing Center. 
    • Email the completed form and your instructor's approval (signed on the form or an email approval) to engrprocure@purdue.edu. To serve you better, it is important that the subject line of email begins with : EPICS/VIP Teams Team Name (ex. EPICS/VIP Teams SoCET).
    • You will receive a confirmation email - this creates a ticket number.
    • You will receive a second email when the ticket is assigned to a Procurement team member. 
    • You will receive an email when the order has been fulfilled by a Procurement team member.
      • This includes the Purchase Order Number.
      • KEEP THIS NUMBER. This will be how you identify your package if the vendor did not include the team number information. 
      • DO NOT SEND FOLLOW UP EMAILS to the Purchasing Team. Follow upu emails will delay the processing of your order.

Have all orders sent to:

701 W Stadium Ave, ARMS 1085

West Lafayette, IN 47907

 

Important Reminders

  • Get your orders in early. Doo not wait until the last minute.
  • Do not use the Hobby King, Ebay, AliExpress, Temu, SheIN.
  • Avoid using international vendors. Customs and shipping will delay orders significantly.
  • When possible, use these preferred vendors:
    • Fastenal
    • Fisher
    • Kirby Risk
    • Amazon - (Please allow additional time for these purchases as we are having to get the items unblocked.)
    • Office Depot
    • Digi-Key
    • B&H Photo

We ask that all purchases be done utilizing the above two methods.

Do NOT use your own cash or credit card.

You will NOT receive reimbursement. 

Our office is open Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm for any question you may have about your orders. 

Contact us: