Board of Trustees
PURDUE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
STATED MEETING 
APRIL 12, 2019 | MINUTES

A meeting of the Board of Trustees convened at 10:29 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019, at Purdue Polytechnic Anderson, 1920 Purdue Parkway, in Anderson, Indiana.

All trustees were present: Michael Berghoff, chairman; Sonny Beck; JoAnn Brouillette; Vanessa Castagna; Malcolm DeKryger; Gary Lehman; Michael Klipsch; Daniel Romary; Thomas Spurgeon, vice chairman; and Don Thompson.

Officers and administrators in attendance were: Mitch Daniels, president; Frank Dooley, senior vice provost for teaching and learning; Bill Sullivan, treasurer and chief financial officer; 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; Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor of Purdue University Fort Wayne; and Tom Keon; chancellor of Purdue University Northwest.

I. ROLL CALL

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

II. FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE

Chairman Berghoff drew the Board’s attention to the schedule of future meetings listed on the agenda through 2020 and said no changes had been made to the schedule since the Board last met in February.

III. APPROVAL OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

Chairman Berghoff read the list of items the committees had recommended for full Board approval, which composed the unanimous consent agenda along with other routine items, as follows:

  • Minutes: Executive Session, February 7, 2019 and Stated Meeting, February 8, 2019;
  • Ratification of Dr. Robert J. Connor as the Jack and Kay Hockema Professor in Civil Engineering, as recommended by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee;
  • Ratification of Dr. Bedrich Benes as the George W. McNelly Professor of Technology, as recommended by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee;
  • For the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI: Approval of Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, as recommended by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee;
  • Approval of faculty promotions, system-wide, for 2019-2020, as recommended by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee;
  • Approval to execute ground lease and steam purchase agreement with Duke Energy Indiana, LLC and to plan, finance, construct and award construction contract for Wade Utility Plant connection to external CHP plant, as recommended by the Physical Facilities Committee;
  • Approval to purchase former State Farm building, located at 2550 Northwestern Avenue in West Lafayette, as recommended by the Physical Facilities Committee;
  • Approval to execute lease for portion of Aspire in Discovery Park District, as recommended by the Physical Facilities Committee;
  • Approval of contract in excess of $2,000,000 with Piper Aircraft, Inc., as recommended by the Finance Committee;
  • Approval of purchase in excess of $2,000,00; electron microscope, as recommended by the Finance Committee;
  • Adoption of second amendment to head football coach Jeff Brohm’s contract, as recommended by the Compensation Committee;
  • Approval of Conflict of Interest disclosures; and
  • Approval of exceptions to the Nepotism Policy.

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 documents were filed with the minutes.

IV. APPROVAL OF 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 last met on February 8, 2019. 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:

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: Willis and Penny Conner, to support the Lyles School of Civil Engineering; Peggy Ford, to support Intercollegiate Athletics; James Hallar, to support the College of Agriculture; Nils Nelson (posthumously), to support Purdue University Northwest; and Richard and Beverly Rella, to support Krannert School of Management and Student Life.

Chancellor Keon informed the Board that the gift from Nils Nelson, a long-time professor at the Hammond campus, was just one of his multiple posthumous gifts totaling $8,000,000. He shared anecdotes about Professor Nelson and expressed his excitement about naming a building for a former faculty member. Chairman Berghoff commented that Willis “Rick” Conner started a company called American Structurepoint in Indianapolis, which employed a number of Purdue engineers, and was an alumni advisor for Chairman Berghoff’s fraternity at Purdue. Trustee Brouillette shared that when Peggy Ford’s husband, Gary, passed away, the Purdue fight song was played at his funeral because he was such an avid Purdue fan.

Chairman Berghoff called for a motion to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for these friends of Purdue University. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the Resolution. A formal copy of the Resolution was filed with the minutes.

V. APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE JACK CALHOUN DIRECTOR OF THE PURDUE VARSITY GLEE CLUB

In recognition of a past gift, President Daniels informed the Board that the University Development Office had recommended the directorship of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club be named for Jack Calhoun, who, he said, was a stalwart supporter of the Glee Club. He called on Mr. Bill Griffel, current director, to say a few words. Mr. Griffel remarked that Mr. Calhoun epitomized what a Boilermaker should be, through his professional leadership of many organizations, dedication to the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, and countless examples for students to follow. Mr. Griffel shared that Mr. Calhoun currently served as president of the Student Life Advisory Board, and he said he was proud to serve in the position that bore Mr. Calhoun’s name.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the position and ratify William E. Griffel as the Jack Calhoun Director of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

VI. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Daniels provided an update on student affordability. With regard to the ongoing tuition freeze, which would be in its eighth year for the 2020-2021 academic year, he noted that six graduating classes will have had no tuition increases, today’s freshmen were in elementary school when Purdue last announced a tuition increase, and Indiana resident students continued to pay less than $10,000 per year in tuition. He compared Purdue’s tuition to its peers in the Big Ten and revealed how much Purdue students had saved by Purdue not having raised tuition and fees at the average rate of other universities. Trustee Lehman interjected that every dollar a student did not have to pay in tuition was a dollar they did not have to borrow. President Daniels illustrated that Purdue was now the third and fourth most affordable of the Big Ten schools for resident and non-resident students, respectively, and said non-resident students greatly enriched the university experience of Hoosier students. He also highlighted that Purdue was now the second least expensive school in the Big Ten relative to room and board costs, and almost 60% of students graduated debt free. President Daniels informed the Board that the university had been able to provide more need-based scholarships and grants because of donors’ enthusiasm for supporting students, and he pointed out that faculty growth had outpaced student enrollment growth.

President Daniels also highlighted a few recent major funding investments to improve students’ educational experience. He said he was encouraged that funding for one of the investments, replacing the Vet Med Hospital (the nation’s oldest), would be provided by the State. He also mapped major capital projects completed purely for academics and acknowledged Treasurer Sullivan for making the university better about maintaining and restoring existing buildings. President Daniels also pointed out that staff compensation had not suffered because of the student affordability initiatives and reviewed new benefits, one-time benefits, and the history of pay increases in recent years.

To conclude his report, President Daniels specifically reminded the Board that a university winter recess was first proposed in 2015, and he recommended a winter recess be scheduled again this year from December 23, 2019 through January 1, 2020. He explained that, not only had staff appreciated the extra time to spend with their families during the holiday season, it helped productivity. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the proposed extended winter break dates for 2019. A copy of President Daniels’ report presentation was filed with the minutes.

Chairman Berghoff remarked that President Daniels’ report was very good. He said he was pleased that keeping Purdue affordable for students was not done at the expense of quality and investments in people and facilities, and he pointed to the recognition the university had received as a result, most recently from the Wall Street Journal, which had ranked Purdue as the fifth best public school in the country. Chairman Berghoff also observed that the ability to combine savings with excellence was not easily copied by other universities and said Purdue had much to be proud of.

VII. FOR PURDUE NORTHWEST: APPROVAL TO NAME THE NILS K. NELSON BIOSCIENCE INNOVATION BUILDING

Following the earlier discussion about Professor Nils Nelson’s posthumous gift to Purdue Northwest, Chairman Berghoff called for a motion to name the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building on Purdue Northwest’s Hammond campus. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve naming the building. Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

VIII. REMARKS ABOUT PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Dooley informed the Board that he had received numerous phone calls from other universities who sought to understand how Purdue had been able to not raise tuition. He said peers across the country were amazed at what Purdue had accomplished, and he expressed his appreciation to President Daniels for his leadership. Trustee Thompson observed that the student affordability initiatives had been accomplished due to the culture change instituted by strong leadership across the entire Purdue system.

IX. REPORT OF THE PURDUE STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Chairman Berghoff called for a report from Purdue Student Government (PSG), which was provided by its president, Mr. Aaron Banks. Aaron reviewed PSG’s many accomplishments relative to its academic-year initiatives in the areas of sustainability, entrepreneurship, inclusivity, mental health, governmental relations, and assessment. He also provided an overview of three resolutions and a bill which the PSG Senate had passed. One resolution called for increasing the number of students’ bereavement days from three, and the other two resolutions were related to standing against hate crime. Aaron concluded that PSG had a fantastic year and said he was very proud of what PSG had accomplished to impact the daily lives of students. Chairman Berghoff thanked Aaron for his leadership and expressed his hope that Aaron found it worthwhile. Aaron responded that serving as PSG president was an eye-opening experience in addition to his experiences as a member of the Purdue football team, and he expressed his gratitude to the Board. A copy of Aaron’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

X. REPORT OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Chairman Berghoff called upon Dr. Linda Mason to make her first report to the Board since beginning her tenure as dean of the Graduate School in 2018 after having served as interim dean. Dean Mason began her report with an overview of graduate education at Purdue and reminded the Board that Purdue’s was a system-wide graduate school. She described the Graduate School as a full service university within the university, with its own academic services, academic policies and programs, financial support, student success programs, and communications function.

Dean Mason provided an overview of six critical issues facing deans in graduate education. She shared that, in the next ten years, 2.6 million new and replacement jobs were expected to need an advanced degree, completion rates were low nationally, and employers wanted a diverse and technically advanced workforce. She highlighted a few of many operational efficiencies she had implemented, and she was pleased to inform the Board that the Graduate School would launch its first interdisciplinary Master of Science degree program next year. Dean Mason also highlighted steps taken to improve student success, and she illustrated significant growth in underrepresented minority recruitment programs since 2015. Dean Mason then outlined four strategic goals: prepare for growth in online programs; offer stackable credentials to encourage lifelong connections with grads; unified application system; and tracking graduates. She concluded her report by informing the Board about the upcoming Three Minute Thesis (3MT) event during which ten students were given three minutes to summarize their theses. A copy of Dean Mason’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

Trustee Thompson asserted that Dean Mason’s accomplishments since becoming dean were “absolutely impressive.” She responded by acknowledging the efforts of her staff, and Dr. Dooley also praised Dean Mason’s accomplishments.

XI. REPORT OF PURDUE POLYTECHNIC STATEWIDE

Dr. Andy Schaffer, associate dean for Purdue Polytechnic Statewide, provided the first-ever report to the Board on Polytechnic Statewide. He began by referring to the banner map of the nine Polytechnic Statewide locations and said it exemplified Purdue’s land-grant mission. He explained that Polytechnic Statewide was a direct extension of the Polytechnic college on the West Lafayette campus, with facilities, faculty, and students spread across the state. He said faculty were hired and promoted through the West Lafayette processes with the same expectations for discovery, learning, and engagement, and students applied through the West Lafayette admissions process with the same rights and responsibilities as students on the West Lafayette campus. He further explained that the Polytechnic Statewide locations offered the same plans of study, courses, objectives, and outcomes as the West Lafayette campus and that the Polytechnic programs were ABET accredited as a system. He summarized the programs as being “as West Lafayette as we can be without being in West Lafayette.” He noted, however, that not every degree was offered at every location; rather, degree options were matched to the regional needs, with no two locations offering the same set of degrees. He stated that, with the programs offered at Purdue Fort Wayne and Purdue Northwest, a Purdue technology degree was within reach of everyone in the state of Indiana. Dean Schaffer provided a snapshot of the 1,100 students currently enrolled across the nine Statewide locations. He said the yield rate once a student was accepted was very high, and he expressed his belief that it would be necessary to attract traditional students in order to grow enrollment. He also discussed how the Statewide locations partnered with their local industries. He concluded his report by expressing his appreciation to the Board members for convening their meeting at Purdue Polytechnic Anderson and the opportunity to tell the story of Polytechnic Statewide.

Trustee Castagna remarked that Dean Schaffer’s report was very informative and said she had enjoyed meeting the faculty, staff, and students at the Anderson facility. She asked Dean Schaffer for his opinion on what enrollment could be in seven years, to which he responded 3,000-4,000 if the right degrees were offered at the right locations and promoted. He said he often heard that Polytechnic Statewide was a “best kept secret,” and, because it did not have the budget for advertising, visibility was the biggest challenge. Dean Schaffer answered other questions from the Board. A copy of Dean Schaffer’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 a.m.