Board of Trustees
PURDUE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
STATED MEETING
DECEMBER 8, 2023 | MINUTES 


A stated meeting of the Purdue University Board of Trustees convened on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 10:51 a.m. in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Trustees present: Michael Berghoff, chairman; Sonny Beck; Kevin Boes; JoAnn Brouillette; Theresa Carter; Vanessa Castagna; Malcolm DeKryger; Michael Klipsch; Gary Lehman, vice chairman; and Shawn Taylor.

Officers and administrators in attendance were: Mung Chiang, president; Patrick Wolfe, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity; Chris Ruhl, chief financial officer and treasurer; Eva Nodine, senior vice president, assistant treasurer, and assistant secretary; Steve Schultz, senior vice president and general counsel; Cindy Ream, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board; Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor, Purdue University Fort Wayne; and Tom Keon, chancellor, Purdue University Northwest.

I. ROLL CALL

Chairman Berghoff called the meeting to order and noted all trustees were in attendance.

II. UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee, Physical Facilities Committee, and Finance Committee convened public meetings immediately prior to this Stated Meeting. Chairman Berghoff read the list of items on which the Committees voted to recommend full Board approval, which includes the unanimous consent agenda along with other routine items, as follows:  

  • Approval of Posthumous Degree to Zelong (Bruce) Ding
  • (WL) Ratification of; 
    • Tompkins Professor in Industrial Engineering
    • Herbert C. Brown Chair of Chemistry
  • Purdue Institute for Cancer Research Director
  • Approval of new degree, Master of Business and Technology
  • (Purdue Online) Approval of new degree, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence 
  • (WL) Approval to Plan, Finance, Construct and Award Construction Contracts for the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business Building
  • (WL) Approval to Plan, Finance, Construct and Award Construction Contracts for the Burke Boilermaker Aquatic Center Mechanical Project
  • (FW) Approval to Plan, Finance, Construct and Award Construction Contracts for the Music Center Addition
  • (WL) Approval to Execute Lease for Third and West in West Lafayette
  • (WL-IN) Approval to Execute Lease for a Portion of Lux on Capitol in Indianapolis
  • (WL) Approval of Housing and Dining Rates
  • (WL) Approval of Contract in Excess of $2 Million, Dell, High Performance Computing
  • Approval of Amendments to Retirement Plans
  • Approval of Updated Resolution Related to Security Clearance Matters
  • (SW) Approval of Conflict-of-Interest Disclosures; and
  • (SW) Approval of Exceptions to Nepotism Policy.

Chairman Berghoff asked if any of the Board members wished to have an item removed from the consent agenda for further discussion. General Counsel, Steve Schultz provided a brief description of the Updated Resolution Related to Security Clearance Matters. He stated that the updated resolution reflects various personnel changes as well as new terminology for identifying those individuals having direct or indirect authority to influence or decide issues affecting the management or operations of the institution. A copy of the resolution was filed with the minutes. 

Hearing no such request, and upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the unanimous consent agenda. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.  

III. PRESIDENT’S REPORT 

Faculty Awards Recognition

President Chiang recognized those who have received major awards from August to November 2023. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes. 

Research Presentation  

Dr. Amy Reibman, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering shared about her research in video technologies for human health and collaboration. She provided some examples of how video technology relates in post-harvest food safety through handwashing assessments, and the use of video analytics for health assessments in animals and assisting with harvest in agriculture. A copy of Dr. Reibman’s presentation was filed with the minutes.

Resolution of Appreciation for Friends of Purdue University

President Chiang profiled the gifts of $1,000,000.00 or more which the university had received since the Board’s stated Meeting on October 6, 2023. The donors of these gifts were recognized in the following Resolution of Appreciation:

WHEREAS, the following friends of Purdue University have generously contributed $1,000,000.00 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: Amanda and Eric Goss, to support the College of Engineering; Cortland and Vickie Gundling, to support the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology; Kevin and Suzanne Kahn, to support the College of Science; John and Lisbeth Kling, to support Purdue University; Marshall and Berdine Martin, to support the College of Agriculture; John Martinson, to support the College of Liberal Arts; John and Diana Odum, to support the College of Agriculture; Christian Piller, to support the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business; Anonymous, to support the College of Science; and Anonymous, to support the School of Mechanical Engineering.

President Chiang submitted the Resolution of Appreciation for the Board’s approval. 

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

Namings

President Chiang presented two namings for approval by the Board:

  • Kevin and Suzanne Kahn Sustainable Green Roof and Patio
  • John Martinson Entertainment and Engineering Laboratories

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded the Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Kevin and Suzanne Kahn Sustainable Green Roof and Patio and the John Martinson Entertainment and Engineering Laboratories. A copy of the approved document was filed with the minutes.

National Hub Competitions

President Chiang highlighted three wins as part of the Applied research Institute team in Indiana. Purdue won 3 out of 3 National Hub Competitions; Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen Hub (DOE), Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub (DOD) and the Regional Technology and Innovation Heartland BioWorks Hub (DOC). He thanked the faculty and PhD students working with the State of Indiana.

Tuition Freeze

President Chiang presented a proposal to consider the endorsement of the 13th consecutive year of frozen tuition at Purdue West Lafayette. He shared that 38% of the West Lafayette operating budget comes from undergraduate tuition and fees. Trustee Castagna commented that she has heard from many donors and friends of Purdue that frozen tuition is one of the prime motivators for them to continue donating. Chairman Berghoff entertained a motion to endorse the proposal for a thirteenth consecutive year of frozen tuition at Purdue West Lafayette and authorize the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer to develop a budget for the 2025-26 biennium with said key feature. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees endorsed the tuition freeze and authorized the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer to develop a budget for the 2025-26 biennium.

Updates

Next President Chiang provided updates on several items. 

  • PhD student minimum stipend elevation
  • Staff appreciation awards
  • AI in Teaching and Learning draft guidance
  • Pedestrian Safety Survey
  • Student mental health assessment

In conclusion President Chiang shared that in April 2024 commercial service returns to Purdue University Airport. Purdue has partnered with Southern Airways to provide daily service to O’Hare International Airport. He noted that Southern Airways has direct partnerships with American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. In closing he shared that Purdue has received permission to name the new terminal the Amelia Earhart Terminal and will be proposed to the Board for ratification at the February 2024 meeting. A copy of President Chiang’s presentation was filed with the minutes.

IV. DANIELS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS REPORT

Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr School of Business Dean Jim Bullard began by thanking everyone for their support and passion for the project. He shared the strategic direction for the School noting a focus on academic prowess, STEM=Business, excellent student experience, freedom and capitalism and outstanding business partnerships. A copy of Dean Bullard’s presentation was filed with the minutes. 

V. UNIVERSITY STAFF

Provost Wolfe requested approval to ratify Dr. Herman Sintim as a Distinguished Professor in Chemistry. He noted Dr. Sintim is a world leader in his area of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry and is a highly prolific researcher and the owner of multiple patents.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Sintim’s appointment as a Distinguished Professor in Chemistry. 

Dr. Sintim thanked the Board for the great honor and commented that sitting in the meeting and watching each item go before the Board, this was a real treat to be included.

Chairman Berghoff noted an action was needed regarding the appointment of a key officer that reports to the president. President Chiang proposed approval of the appointment of Dr. (Kenneth) Chris Holford as the Chancellor of Purdue University Northwest. Trustee Malcolm DeKryger was chair of the search committee and thanked those who served with him on the committee. President Chiang and Mr. DeKryger both thanked Dr. Keon for his contributions and many years of service.

Following proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve Dr. Chris Holford as the new Chancellor of Purdue University Northwest.

VI. DESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR FOR PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION BOARD

Chairman Berghoff noted the final item on the agenda is the Designation of Director of Purdue Research Foundation Board. He noted that he had asked Mike Klipsch if he would continue to serve when his term expired last month and the PRF Board has accepted this nomination. He asked for a motion to ratify Mr. Klipsch’s designation to serve as a PRF Director for another 3-year term ending in November 2026.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve Mike Klipsch’s designation to serve as PRF Director for another 3-year term.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.