Checklists for New Mechanical Engineering Faculty

Welcome! We're so glad you've chosen to join our team.  Starting a new position can be a bit overwhelming, so we've tried to consolidate all the information you need in one place.

Prior to start date  |  First day  |  First 3 days  |  First 7 days  |  First month



Prior to start date

  • Follow this relocation checklist for some general moving tips.
  • Register for New Employee Orientation. Faculty who aren't starting in the fall are encouraged to attend New Employee Orientation, which covers history, safety, and benefits. Faculty starting in the fall will be invited to a separate faculty onboarding that occurs yearly in August. 

First day

  • Attend New Employee Orientation.
  • You should be notified of your office space on the first day. These assignments are arranged by Peter Meckl.
  • Meet the head of the school, Eckhard Groll.
  • Before getting keys to the building, you must complete the Building Safety Quiz.  Once you pass, you can get keys from Mike Black in the E-Shop (ME2042).
  • Complete the online onboarding forms through SuccessFactors, found at OnePurdue.
  • Get a Purdue ID card (PUID).  The PUID is a 10 digit number unique to you.  The number is printed on your Purdue Photo ID and your primary identification within Purdue.  This number will be issued after you are entered into the Purdue employment system.
  • If you choose to park your car anywhere on campus, you'll need to get a parking permit.
  • The business office wants to meet with you face-to-face, so you can learn how to work with them on account information, startup, payroll, hiring procedures, purchasing, and travel. If you plan on traveling, Purdue will give you a credit card specifically for travel expenses (here's more information on the Visa Travel Card.)

First 3 days

  • Meet the Associate Head for Undergraduate Studies, Jim Jones, and the Associate Head for Graduate Studies, Nicole Key.
  • Setup your email.  Our university email system is administered by a group called I.T. at Purdue (ITaP).
  • ITaP also administers your office phone and voicemail. Your area admin can also help you.
  • For security purposes, Purdue requires two-factor authentication to access your personal information online; it's called BoilerKey. You'll need to set up a 4-digit PIN and also use a random number generated from an app on your phone.
  • Once you get BoilerKey set up, then you need to login to OnePurdue, our employee portal.  Then click on Employee Self Service tab at the top.  This is where you enter your important personal information, such as your name, address, and bank account for your paycheck. You can update this information whenever needed (for example, changing your address).
  • Taxes: OnePurdue's Employee Self Service also contains important tax forms. Click on the Taxes link and fill these out as soon as possible:
    • W-4 form, for withholding. You can fill it out online, or if you prefer, paper forms are available.
    • Electronic W-2 (administered by the company ADP), which gives you quick online access to your tax statements 10 days before paper copies, without worrying about mail delivery issues.
    • International employees must complete the Glacier Arctic International Tax Compliance Summary. The employee will receive an email from support@online-tax.net with the link to access and complete his/her international tax information in the Glacier software. After completed, print the forms that the system prompts you to print. Sign and date all forms and submit them to the ME business office.

First 7 days

  • For business cards and a name badge, talk to Jackie Baumgardt in the main ME office (ME2007).  Purdue will pay for the first set of cards, but anything beyond is your responsibility.
  • Your office mailbox is located in the main office (ME2007).  If you prefer, you can ask your area admin to bring the mail to your office.
  • If your primary office is in another building (Chaffee, Herrick, Birck, Kepner, ARMS, etc.), you can also request that your mail be forwarded to that building. 
  • Computers: ME has its own electronics shop (or "E-Shop").  They will be your main point of contact for computer hardware, software, and equipment.  You can visit them (ME2042), call 765-494-8756, or contact them through email (mecl@ecn.purdue.edu).  If it's a complex request, they may also communicate with ECN (Engineering Computer Networks) or ITaP (university-wide IT support).   But the E-shop should be your first call.  If you're planning on purchasing computer equipment, please confirm first with the business office that your accounts are properly set up for these purchases.
  • Jackie Baumgardt will add you to our ME email lists, as well as the ME directory on the website.
  • Introduce yourself to the ME Development staff.
  • Consider registering for a faculty development workshop, like this series of Grantsmanship Events hosted by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships.

First month

  • We have general office supplies available in the building (pens, notepads, paper, etc.); just ask your area admin.  If you need something specific (say, 15 two-inch black binders), you should request that through the business office and supply an account number.
  • Benefits: if you attended the New Employee Orientation, you learned about all the benefits that HR offers, including health insurance, life insurance, retirement, and more.  Now would be a good time to select and enroll those benefits.