A meeting of the Purdue University Board of Trustees convened at 9:46 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020, at Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood, located at 3029 E. Washington Street in Indianapolis. In adherence to the Protect Purdue policies amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, everyone in the room was wearing a mask and restrictions were placed on the number of visitors in the room. Members of the media and the public who wished to observe the meeting virtually were provided such instructions.

All trustees were present in person or, where specifically noted, by means of electronic communication pursuant to the Electronic Meeting Policy: Michael Berghoff, chairman; Sonny Beck; JoAnn Brouillette (virtually); Vanessa Castagna; Theresa Carter; Malcolm DeKryger; Michael Klipsch; Gary Lehman; Noah Scott; and Don Thompson.

Officers and administrators in attendance were: Mitch Daniels, president; Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity; Chris Ruhl, chief financial officer and treasurer; Jim Almond, senior vice president, assistant treasurer, and assistant secretary; Steve Schultz, general counsel; Janice Indrutz, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board; and Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor, Purdue University Fort Wayne (virtually).

I. WELCOME REMARKS

Mr. Scott Bess, head of the Purdue Polytechnic High Schools, thanked the Board for visiting Polytechnic High School Englewood at its permanent home in the P.R. Mallory Building. He discussed the building’s long history, saying the Duracell battery had been invented there, and he informed the Board that the financing and renovation of the building was part of a larger effort to redevelop the Englewood neighborhood. Mr. Bess also informed the Board that Paramount Englewood elementary school shared the building to educate students in grades 5-8, which, he pointed out, created a direct pipeline for future enrollment in the Polytechnic High School.

II. ROLL CALL

Chairman Berghoff called the meeting to order and noted that all trustees were in attendance, with Trustee Brouillette attending by video.

III. APPROVAL OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Physical Facilities Committee, Audit and Risk Management Committee, and Compensation Committee convened meetings prior to this Stated Meeting, with all trustees in attendance. Chairman Berghoff read the list of items on which the Committees voted to recommend full Board approval, which composed the following unanimous consent agenda along with other routine items:

• Minutes of executive sessions: August 6, 2020; August 26, 2020; and September 1, 2020; and minutes of August 7, 2020, stated meeting;
• Ratification of Dr. Maria I. Marshall as the Jim and Lois Ackerman Professor in Agricultural Economics in the College of Agriculture;
• Ratification of Dr. Andrea Vacca as the MAHA Fluid Power Faculty Chair in the College of Agriculture;
• For the Purdue Schools at IUPUI: Approval of B.S. in Cybersecurity and approval of B.S. in Artificial Intelligence;
• Approval of revised criteria and nomination process for Honorary Doctorate degrees;
• Approval to award Honorary Doctorate degrees in spring 2021;
• Approval to renew property insurance policy;
• Determination of presidential performance at-risk pay for 2019-2020;
• Approval of conflict of interest disclosures.

Chairman Berghoff asked if any of the Board members wished to have an item removed from the consent agenda for further discussion. Hearing no such request, and upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the unanimous consent agenda. All supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

IV. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR FRIENDS OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY

President Daniels profiled the gifts of $1,000,000 or more that the university had received since the Board’s stated meeting on August 7, 2020. The donors of these gifts were recognized in the following Resolution of Appreciation:

WHEREAS, the following friends of Purdue University have generously contributed $1,000,000 or more to move Purdue to greater excellence and preeminence; and

WHEREAS, the University wishes to acknowledge the significance of these gifts to new directions, advancements, and momentum in Purdue’s history, progress, and future;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE TRUSTEES OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY:

1. That the University and the Trustees are grateful to these individuals for their leadership and support of Purdue University; and

2. That this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Board of Trustees as part of the permanent record of the University.

FRIENDS: Maureen Hughes, to support the College of Veterinary Medicine; Lillian and Jim Thomas, to support the College of Pharmacy; R. Daniel Zieg, to support Intercollegiate Athletics; Anonymous, to support the College of Engineering; Anonymous, to support the College of Engineering; and Anonymous, to support the Lyles School of Civil Engineering.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the resolution. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

V. REPORT FROM PRESIDENT DANIELS

President Daniels began his report by highlighting recent rankings, saying Purdue was the only Indiana school to be recognized in them. He expressed his gratitude to, and pride for, the faculty and staff who made the strong rankings possible because the rankings contributed to successful recruiting and a steady growth in applications and admissions. Chairman Berghoff acknowledged that the university had done well with making these rankings known to the public through social media and advertising for the benefit of prospective students, alumni, and employers.

President Daniels then presented a wealth of enrollment and graduation data. He illustrated a record freshmen enrollment and noted there had been a substantial improvement in readiness, and he also illustrated the record total enrollment of 34,920 students. He indicated that the university was four to five years ahead of enrollment goals. With regard to minority enrollment, President Daniels was pleased to report that, in the last eight years, there had been a 51% increase in the number of underrepresented minority students on the West Lafayette campus, an 82% increase in the number of underrepresented minority freshmen, and the number of U.S. minority students had doubled. He informed the Board that the university would continue to invest in the four-year old Summer Start program, which offered conditional admission. He said one factor of Summer Start’s success was that coaching and counseling sessions were now a requirement of the program. President Daniels remarked, “There are a lot of young people who can succeed at Purdue. We just have to make extra effort to find them and support them as they get started. These students are disproportionately first-generation, low-income minority students who may not have attended college otherwise.” Chairman Berghoff offered that, though the students may not have had opportunities for success in their public school system, they were intelligent and had a desire to succeed and earn a degree from Purdue when they may not have had the opportunity to do so without the Summer Start program. Trustee Thompson concurred that support systems and the strength of standardized programs help interested students succeed. Provost Akridge addressed a question from Trustee Carter about expanding the program to help other students who may benefit from it.

President Daniels highlighted an 82% increase in enrollment in summer programs over the last eight years, which, he said, was the result of the university’s efforts to better utilize the summer months to help students graduate sooner. He also provided data on Purdue Global enrollment, which included 4,346 Indiana residents, and reported that 535 employees system-wide were currently taking advantage of the benefit of free Purdue Global tuition, with 263 degrees having already been awarded. President Daniels also reported on the decline in enrollment at the regional campuses, which, he said, was a national pattern. He concluded his report by illustrating data on the university’s record graduation rates and time to degree, which generated hearty discussion.

A copy of President Daniels’ report presentation was filed with the minutes.

VI. REPORT FROM THE PURDUE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Dr. Gary Bertoline, dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute (PPI), began his report by displaying a rendering of the Engineering and Polytechnic Gateway Building currently under construction. Dean Bertoline was pleased to report that the Polytechnic Institute had seen remarkable growth in enrollment over the last four years, which he attributed to the transformation of the former College of Technology to the Polytechnic Institute and the addition of a number of attractive majors. He discussed the Institute’s innovation efforts, which he described as aggressive, and he said Purdue’s aviation program was now “without a doubt” the best in the country.

Dean Bertoline also discussed PPI’s efforts to align with university efforts relative to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He indicated that 60% of students enrolled in the Purdue Polytechnic High Schools were underrepresented minorities, and he was pleased to introduce two students who would be members of the High School’s first graduating class in May 2021. The students, Kayla Owens and Colton Lewis, addressed the Board and spoke about how attending the Polytechnic High School had changed their lives because of the many opportunities it afforded them. Kayla and Colton were met with applause when they each announced they would be attending Purdue University upon graduating. Trustee DeKryger expressed his pride for Kayla and Colton and said the senior class was an exemplary group. In response to a question from Chairman Berghoff, Kayla and Colton suggested that exposing students to more of Purdue’s programs would further encourage them to attend Purdue. Dean Bertoline informed the Board that the Polytechnic Institute offered automatic admission to Polytechnic High School graduates and said he encouraged other Purdue colleges to consider such automatic admission. Addressing Kayla and Colton, Trustee Thompson said, “When you arrive at Purdue, I don’t want you to blend in. I need you to stand out. Your success will blaze a trail for the students who will follow you.” Offering his student perspective, Trustee Scott told Kayla and Colton not to be afraid to try something new, such as taking a class outside their major, because they might discover a new passion.

Moving on, Dean Bertoline informed the Board about three research areas and other initiatives on which PPI was focused and collaborating with other colleges, and he said successful research efforts had resulted in the doubling of research funding. He concluded his report with an overview of PPI’s strategic initiatives and challenges and shared with the Board that, relative to the COVID-19 pandemic, PPI had developed concepts that were garnering national attention.

Trustee Thompson praised Dean Bertoline’s efforts to collaborate with the other colleges in the best interest of students. President Daniels added his praise for Dean Bertoline’s courage and leadership skills in transforming the former College of Technology. Dean Bertoline thanked President Daniels and the Board for the opportunity and shared that a number of other universities had expressed an interest in the successful transformation. As a graduate of PPI, Trustee Scott expressed his pride in its success and bright future.

A copy of Dean Bertoline’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

VII. APPROVAL TO NAME THE PURDUE POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL ENGLEWOOD (DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS LOCATION)

President Daniels requested approval to name the Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood the Schweitzer Center at Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood. He said naming the high school for Dr. Edmund and Mrs. Beatriz Schweitzer would honor their generous gift to support the High School and enhance its mentoring and advising capabilities. President Daniels had indicated during Dean Bertoline’s report that the Schweitzers’ gift would also provide scholarships to Polytechnic High School graduates who would attend Purdue. President Daniels and Scott Bess elaborated on the Englewood reference. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the Schweitzer Center, Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

VIII. APPROVAL TO RENAME THE CENTAUR EQUINE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL

Chairman Berghoff stated that the Board had received a request to change the name of the Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital, located in Shelbyville, Indiana, to the Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital. President Daniels noted that Caesars Entertainment had purchased Centaur and would continue to make payments to fulfill Centaur’s $3.1M pledge to the university. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the name change. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

IX. APPROVAL OF UPDATES TO UNIVERSITY PROCESS FOR SELECTING STUDENT TRUSTEE

In a letter to the Board, Ms. Assata Gilmore, president of Purdue Student Government, and Ms. Hannah Walter, vice president of Purdue Student Government, with the support of Student Trustee Scott, requested approval of their suggested updates to the university process for selecting the Student Trustee in an effort to provide additional clarity and continuity. Participating by video, Ms. Gilmore expressed her belief that it was necessary to ensure that the process was truly student-led. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the updates to the university process for selecting the Student Trustee. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

X. DESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS FOR PURDUE FORT WAYNE FOUNDATION

Chairman Berghoff shared Chancellor Elsenbaumer’s request to reappoint Howard Chapman, Mike Gavin, and David Molfenter as directors of the Purdue University Fort Wayne Foundation and to appoint Glenn Borden to replace Deborah McMahan, all for three-year terms. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the appointments. A memo from Chancellor Elsenbaumer to the Board was filed with the minutes.

XI. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR

Chairman Berghoff recommended to the Board that Trustee Lehman be elected as vice chair of the Board to succeed former trustee Thomas Spurgeon, who retired from the Board on June 30, 2020. Hearing no other nominations, and upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect Trustee Lehman.

XII. DESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR FOR PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION BOARD

Chairman Berghoff recommended to the Board that Trustee Klipsch be designated to replace former trustee Thomas Spurgeon as a group II director for the Purdue Research Foundation. Hearing no other nominations, and upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of designating Trustee Klipsch.

XIII. DESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR FOR PURDUE GLOBAL BOARD

Chairman Berghoff recommended to the Board that Trustee Carter be designated as a director for Purdue Global, replacing Trustee Thompson, who would need to devote his full attention to leading the Equity Task Force. Hearing no other nominations, and upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously in favor of designating Trustee Carter.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 11:03 a.m.