Board of Trustees
PURDUE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
STATED MEETING
APRIL 8, 2022 | MINUTES


A stated meeting of the Purdue University Board of Trustees convened on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 11:05 a.m. in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

All trustees were present: Michael Berghoff, chairman; Sonny Beck; JoAnn Brouillette; Theresa Carter; Vanessa Castagna; Malcolm DeKryger; Mark Gee; Michael Klipsch; Gary Lehman, vice chairman; 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; Steve Schultz, general counsel; Janice Indrutz, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board; Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor, Purdue Fort Wayne (virtually); and Tom Keon, chancellor, Purdue Northwest.

I. ROLL CALL

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

II. APPROVAL OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Finance Committee, Physical Facilities Committee, Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee, and Compensation Committee all 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 composed the unanimous consent agenda along with other routine items, as follows:

  • Ratification of Dr. Signe E. Kastberg as the Mary Endres Chair in Elementary Education;
  • Ratification of Dr. Evgenii Narimanov and Dr. Amy R. Reibman as Elmore Professors of Electrical and Computer Engineering;
  • Approval to appoint Dr. Darryl Ragland to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health;
  • Approval of faculty promotions, system-wide, effective at the beginning of each candidate’s regular term of service for 2022-2023;
  • Approval of M.S. in Dietetics;
  • For Purdue Northwest, approval of B.S. in Cybersecurity;
  • Approval of Civics Literacy Plans for PFW, PNW, and Purdue Schools at IUPUI;
  • Approval to establish and name the Dean V. White Real Estate Finance Program;
  • Approval to name the John Martinson Honors College;
  • Approval to plan, finance, construct and award construction contracts for the Ross-Ade Stadium Renovation, Mackey Arena Locker Rooms Renovation, and Zucrow High Speed Propulsion Lab projects;
  • Approval to sell parcels at U.S. 231 and C.R. 800S to the State of Indiana;
  • Approval of contract in excess of $2,000,000: Wireless Access Point Replacement;
  • Approval to refinance student fee and student facilities revenue bonds;
  • Approval of 2021 annual report of the chief audit executive;
  • Approval of contract amendments for head football coach;
  • Approval of Conflict of Interest disclosures, system-wide; and
  • Approval of exceptions to Nepotism Policy, system-wide.

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.

III. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR NASSER H. PAYDAR

Chairman Berghoff welcomed Dr. Nasser Paydar, who joined the meeting virtually, and informed Dr. Paydar that the Board wished to recognize him with a Resolution of Appreciation on the occasion of his retirement as chancellor of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Chairman Berghoff reviewed Dr. Paydar’s service to both Purdue University and Indiana University and read the “resolved” clauses aloud. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the following Resolution of Appreciation for Dr. Paydar, a formal copy of which was filed with the minutes:

WHEREAS, Nasser H. Paydar served as the fifth chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and executive vice president of Indiana University from 2015 to 2022; and

WHEREAS, under Nasser’s leadership, IUPUI expanded its footprint in downtown Indianapolis as part of its strong research emphasis and grew to include more than 550 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs from Indiana University and Purdue University; and

WHEREAS, Nasser’s leadership at IUPUI – as well as at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus and Indiana University East – emphasized turning the campuses into more welcoming, diverse and inclusive places, enabling faculty, staff and students to achieve at the highest levels; and

WHEREAS, Nasser provided strategic vision and planning that have ensured progress on every campus he served, including at IUPUI where he led the process of planning and implementing the strategic plan titled “Our Commitment to Indiana and Beyond,” which worked to strengthen the campus community through student success, academic excellence, and community engagement; and

WHEREAS, Nasser put student success at the forefront and focused on creating opportunities for underrepresented students to pursue higher education; and

WHEREAS, during Nasser’s tenure, IUPUI saw enhanced student life opportunities and increases in on-campus housing and residential programs with the construction and renovation of residence halls on campus; and

WHEREAS, Nasser supported and encouraged colleagues as they developed creative ways to contribute to and improve the institution through long-term campus-wide projects such as the Welcoming Campus Initiative and the multifaceted campaign to combat systemic racism; and

WHEREAS, Nasser formed and strengthened meaningful partnerships with business and civic leaders in Indianapolis that resulted in new opportunities for research collaborations, as well as supporting student success through new scholarship and internship programs; and

WHEREAS, Nasser joined IUPUI in 1985 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the Purdue University School of Engineering and Technology and rose to professor emeritus, serving as principal investigator on grants totaling more than $1 million with publications in numerous peer-reviewed scientific journals; and

WHEREAS, from 1989 to 2003, Nasser served as chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, associate dean for graduate programs, associate dean for academic programs, and executive associate dean in the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology; and

WHEREAS, from 2012 to 2015, Nasser served as executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer at IUPUI; and

WHEREAS, Nasser was responsible for IUPUC as vice chancellor and dean from 2004 to 2007 and served as chancellor of IU East from 2007 to 2012; and

WHEREAS, Nasser is regarded for having a steady hand and working efficiently, effectively and with integrity;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE TRUSTEES OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY:

1. That the Trustees recognize the positive impact of Nasser H. Paydar as chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; and

2. That enormous gratitude and appreciation are expressed to Nasser for his loyalty and service to Purdue University; and

3. That Nasser is to be congratulated and thanked for his tremendous contributions to our University; and

4. That his achievements are part of the great, permanent history of Purdue and will never be forgotten; and

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

Dr. Paydar thanked the Board for the honor and President Daniels for his support. He also thanked Chairman Berghoff and Trustee Klipsch for serving on the Board of Advisors for IUPUI. Dr. Paydar also expressed his appreciation for having been recognized alongside his good friend, Teresa Lubbers.

President Daniels informed the Board that United States President Joe Biden had recently summoned Dr. Paydar to national service by his intent to nominate Dr. Paydar for the role of assistant secretary for postsecondary education.

IV. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR TERESA S. LUBBERS

Chairman Berghoff welcomed Dr. Lubbers, who was in attendance with her husband, Mark. He highlighted parts of the following Resolution of Appreciation and read the “resolved” clauses aloud:

WHEREAS, Teresa S. Lubbers served from 2009 to 2022 as Commissioner for Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education, the coordinating agency charged with ensuring the state’s postsecondary education system is aligned to meet the needs of students and the state; and

WHEREAS, Teresa worked to increase college completion, ensure academic quality and student learning, and align postsecondary credentials with meaningful careers; and

WHEREAS, Teresa partnered with policymakers and higher education leaders to develop and implement the state’s higher education strategic plans; and

WHEREAS, Teresa served as chair of Indiana’s Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, the State Higher Education Executive Officers, the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and the Higher Learning Advocates Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Teresa was a Commissioner for the Education Commission of the States and a member of the Advisory Council for the Institute for Workforce Excellence, and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning; and

WHEREAS, prior to joining the Commission, Teresa served in the Indiana State Senate from 1992 to 2009, leading education and economic development issues as Chair of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee; and

WHEREAS, Teresa dedicated nearly three decades to supporting and working on behalf of Indiana’s students, schools, and economic and workforce needs; and

WHEREAS, as one of Indiana’s most visionary thought leaders in education and the workforce, Teresa worked to ensure all students have access and resources to pursue their next steps after high school; and

WHEREAS, Teresa served Indiana for a half century with great skill at all three levels of government and also made time for innumerable volunteer and civic involvement; and

WHEREAS, Teresa served under six governors, including Mitch Daniels, now president of Purdue University; and

WHEREAS, Teresa is past chair of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and of the YMCA Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Teresa is a first-generation college student who credits education for many of her opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Teresa is regarded for having a steady hand and working efficiently, effectively and with integrity;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE TRUSTEES OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY:

1. That the Trustees recognize the positive impact of Teresa S. Lubbers as Commissioner for Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education; and

2. That enormous gratitude and appreciation are expressed to Teresa for her loyalty and service to Purdue University; and

3. That Teresa is to be congratulated and thanked for her tremendous contributions to our University; and

4. That her achievements are part of the great, permanent history of Purdue and will never be forgotten; and

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

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the resolution. A formal copy was filed with the minutes.

Dr. Lubbers remarked that it was a privilege to attend the Board meeting and she expressed her appreciation for the way in which the Board approached the university’s issues and how it was thinking about the future and the role the university played in the State of Indiana. She thanked the Board and President Daniels for partnering with her, and she said she was delighted to have worked with Dr. Paydar, especially on student success issues.

Trustee Brouillette described Dr. Lubbers as purpose driven, a role model, and a saint.

V. RATIFICATION OF RETTER DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF PHARMACY

Provost Akridge respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Lynne S. Taylor as the Retter Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy. He informed the Board that Dr. Taylor is an internationally respected leader in pharmaceutical formulations, and he explained the science for which she is recognized in the pharmacy field. Provost Akridge said Dr. Taylor’s research pushed boundaries and challenged convention, with her research including over 300 journal articles and two patents. He added that Dr. Taylor had received many distinguished awards for her scholarship and graduate mentoring, including the 2020 Dale E. Wurster Research Award, awarded every two years to a single individual across the membership of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Provost Akridge cited one of nine letters in support of Dr. Taylor’s appointment, the writer of which said, “She embodies the concept of fundamentally sound science as the fastest and surest path to achieving useful knowledge.”

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Taylor’s appointment as the Retter Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Taylor thanked the Board and the College of Pharmacy leadership. She also wished to acknowledge her many collaborators across campus, saying one of the wonderful things about Purdue was its collaborative research atmosphere. She was pleased to inform the Board that her daughter would be a freshman in the College of Science in Fall 2022.

VI. STAFF UPDATE

President Daniels informed the Board that Mr. Ethan Braden was promoted to executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer for the university. He said Mr. Braden had achieved great success in building the university’s overall marketing strategy and would now also be responsible for the success and growth of Purdue Online and Purdue Global.

VII. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR FRIENDS OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY

President Daniels profiled the gifts of $1,000,000 or more which the university had received since the Board’s Stated Meeting on February 4, 2022. 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: Sandra Dauch, to support Intercollegiate Athletics; Mary J. Elmore, to support University Initiatives; Keith and Metta Krach, to support the Purdue Research Foundation; John Martinson, to support the Honors College; Donald McCrosky, to support the College of Veterinary Medicine; Terrance Coyne and Marianne Noyd, to support the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering and the Purdue Military Research Institute; David and Susan Roberts, to support Purdue University Northwest; Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, to support the School of Management; and Anonymous, to support the Purdue Polytechnic High School and College of Liberal Arts.

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.

VIII. GOVERNANCE UPDATE: AFFORDABILITY

President Daniels began his report by reminding the Board that the university was marking ten years with no tuition increases on the West Lafayette campus and that Indiana residents continued to pay less than $10,000 per year in tuition. He said, because the university had been equally attentive to room and board costs, Purdue now had the least expensive room and board in the Big Ten, having been second highest ten years ago. President Daniels expressed his belief that, as a result of Purdue’s affordability efforts, Purdue students and their families will have saved more than $1 billion on educational and living expenses versus what they would have paid if Purdue had raised tuition and fees and room and board along with the Big Ten. He illustrated the declining cost of attendance on the West Lafayette campus, nominal debt per undergraduate student, the percentage of students graduating debt free, and a continued declining loan default rate. A copy of President Daniels’ report presentation was filed with the minutes.

IX. REPORT OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Dr. Linda Mason, dean of the Graduate School, began her report by highlighting the role of the Graduate School and its functions, and she informed the Board that graduate students impacted almost every aspect of the university. Dean Mason provided examples of how the Graduate School was striving to be the provider of educational needs post-baccalaureate through innovation, creative partnerships, and forward-thinking educational design. She illustrated the consistent growth in graduate student enrollment and pointed out that, last fall, online enrollment had exceeded residential enrollment for the first time. She said the Graduate School had grown from 17 online graduate programs in 2017 to 38 online graduate programs, and she was pleased to illustrate growth in the number of underrepresented students.

Dean Mason informed the Board that the Graduate School continued to develop graduate degree programs that were attractive to students globally, as indicated by the School’s 40% international enrollment. She was also pleased to share that the Purdue University was the number one producer of engineering PhDs nationwide and fifth in the total number of PhDs awarded. She stated that graduate students contributed to the university’s research mission and said one of the reasons students selected Purdue was to be mentored by some of the best graduate faculty in the world. Dean Mason discussed the School’s efforts to maximize the mentoring relationship and also further its commitment to developing the top professional development program in country. She discussed the School’s funding and expressed her appreciation for the university’s recent effort to elevate graduate student stipends to the top one-third in the Big Ten. To conclude her report, Dean Mason indicated that the Graduate School would continue to advocate for housing market assistance for both international and married graduate students. A copy of Dean Mason’s report presentation and supplemental materials were filed with the minutes.

Trustee Gee remarked, as a current graduate student, that Purdue graduate education was “moving the ball forward.” Trustee Thompson recognized Dean Mason for being instrumental with the Equity Task Force. Chairman Berghoff said the underrepresented minorities enrollment was impressive. Provost Akridge commented that there was a time when the Graduate School was looked at unfavorably and thought to be a barrier to success, so he commended Dean Mason for her leadership to reinvent the Graduate School, which, he said, was now looked at as a catalyst for innovation and partnerships.

X. APPROVAL TO NAME FACILITIES

President Daniels recommended naming the following facilities:

  • The Mary J. Hanna-Elmore East Terrace and the Mary J. Hanna-Elmore West Terrace, to be collectively referred to as the Mary J. Hanna-Elmore Pavilion in the renovated ground floor of the Purdue Memorial Union;

  • The Donald J. McCrosky Equine Sports Medicine Center;

  • The Dauch Football Strength and Conditioning Weight Room in the Kozuch Football Performance Complex; and

  • The Roberts Impact Lab on the Hammond campus of Purdue Northwest.

All such facilities would be aptly named to recognize the generosity of their namesake donors who were recognized in the Resolution of Appreciation for Friends of Purdue University, which the Board approved earlier in this meeting.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the facilities as recommended. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

XI. DESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR FOR PFW FOUNDATION

Chairman Berghoff said the Board had received a request from Chancellor Elsenbaumer to approve the appointment of Ms. Melissa Schenkel as a new Purdue director for the Purdue University Fort Wayne Foundation. Chancellor Elsenbaumer discussed Ms. Schenkel’s background and her commitment to Purdue Fort Wayne, and he requested her appointment be effective immediately. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of Ms. Schenkel’s appointment to the PFW Foundation. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m.