The governing body of the University is the Board of Trustees, which consists of 10 members who are appointed by the governor — nine members for three-year terms and one student member from the University for a two-year term. Seven of the appointees are selected by the governor; three are elected by the Purdue Alumni Association and then appointed by the governor. Of these three, all must be Purdue graduates and members of the Purdue Alumni Association, and one must be a graduate of the College of Agriculture.

The board selects the president of the University, establishes major policy, approves the financial program and the budget, and ratifies all major appointments on the president’s nomination. The president administers the University and carries out the policies adopted by the trustees.

The president, as the chief executive officer, is responsible to the board for the administration of the University. At board meetings he reports on the affairs of the University.

The administrative officers of the University reporting directly to the president include the provost, the executive vice president and treasurer, the senior vice president for advancement, the vice president for governmental relations, the vice president for human relations, the director of strategic planning and assessment, the director of intercollegiate athletics, the chancellors of the regional campuses, and the executive assistant to the president.

The provost serves as the chief academic officer for the University, with responsibility for instruction, research, engagement, continuing education, student services, the libraries, and information technology. She/he acts for the president with administrative authority for planning, organization, management, and development in all of these areas of the University. Reporting to the provost are the vice president for information technology, vice president for research, the vice president for student services, the vice provost for engagement, the vice provost for academic affairs and several associate and assistant provosts, the school/college deans, the dean of libraries, the dean of the Graduate School, the executive director of Discovery Park, the secretary of faculties, the director of space management and academic scheduling, and the dean of international programs.

The executive vice president and treasurer serves as the chief business and financial officer for the University with responsibility for all business offices, the physical plant, residence halls, facilities development, investments, and trusts. This officer acts for the president with administrative authority for managing, developing, and planning in all these areas. Operating under the supervision of the executive vice president and treasurer are the vice president for business services and assistant treasurer; the vice president for information technology; the vice president for physical facilities; the vice president for housing and food services; the director of audits; the real estate, trusts, and investment officer; and senior associate athletic director–business.

The senior vice president for advancement directs and coordinates all private fundraising activities of the University with responsibility for the functions of the Office of Development, including individual and corporate fundraising campaigns, donor relations, gift processing, development
information systems, and research. This officer has administrative responsibility for University Relations, which includes planning and policy in public relations, University News Service, Purdue Marketing Communications, Periodicals, the Office of Community Relations, Broadcast Services, and the University’s radio stations, WBAA-AM and FM.

The vice president for governmental relations serves as liaison to the governor’s office, the Indiana General Assembly, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunications System. This officer has responsibility for federal relations and is the liaison between federal offices and the campus.

The vice president for human relations is responsible for defining, developing, and implementing policies and programs to better the quality of life for all members of the University community. She has administrative responsibility for the Affirmative Action Office, Diversity Resource Office, and Women’s Resource Office.

The director of strategic planning and assessment coordinates the development of strategic goals for each Purdue campus and ongoing assessment of progress toward achievement of these goals.

The Office of Institutional Research, which reports to the director of strategic planning and assessment, provides management information and analytical support to Purdue’s decision makers in support of strategic planning and policy-making.

The executive assistant to the president coordinates activities and communication for the members of the President’s administrative cabinet and resolves issues and concerns.

Under authority delegated by the provost, the vice president for research leads the research activities of the University. This officer is responsible for the development and management of sponsored programs, research administration, Discovery Park, industrial relations, and of certain interdisciplinary centers.

Under the authority delegated by the provost, the vice president for student services is responsible for supervising many offices and activities that serve students and alumni, the University’s military, officer training, and recreational sports programs, and the Student Health Center.

Under authority delegated by the provost, the vice provost for engagement has responsibility for growing partnerships statewide; initiating and managing special projects involving Purdue with communities, companies, and the nonprofit sector throughout the state; and developing other activities that foster Purdue’s presence as an economic driver for the state of Indiana.

Under authority delegated by the provost and the executive vice president and treasurer, the vice president for information technology is responsible for information technology operations across the University including voice, video, and data networks and administrative, instructional, and research computing services.

The vice president for business services and assistant treasurer assists and acts for the executive vice president and treasurer with administrative responsibility for business and financial operations.

The vice president for physical facilities assists and acts for the executive vice president and treasurer with administrative responsibilities for operations of the physical plant, auxiliary enterprises, and facilities planning and construction.

The vice president for housing and food services assists and acts for the executive vice president and treasurer with administrative responsibility for the operation of the residence halls, Purdue Village, graduate houses, Purdue Memorial Union, Black Cultural Center, Elliott Hall of Music, and Loeb Playhouse.

All instructional, outreach, and research work is organized under an academic dean for each of the following schools/colleges: College of Agriculture; College of Consumer and Family Sciences; College of Education; College of Engineering; College of Liberal Arts; Krannert School of Management; College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences; College of Science; College of Technology; and School of Veterinary Medicine.