A meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees convened at 8:33 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023, in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Committee members present in person were: JoAnn Brouillette, chair; Vanessa Castagna; Mark Gee; and Professor Colleen Brady (ex-officio). Committee member Shawn Taylor participated via conference call. Other trustees present: Sonny Beck; Michael Berghoff; Theresa Carter; Malcolm DeKryger; and Michael Klipsch. Gary Lehman was absent with approval in advance.

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, general counsel; Cindy Ream, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board; and Thomas Keon, chancellor, Purdue University Northwest.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of its meetings convened on October 7, 2022; December 2, 2022; and February 3, 2023.

II. APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE JOHN A. EDWARDSON DEANSHIP, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Provost Wolfe recommended the appointment of Dr. Arvind Raman as the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. He shared that Dr. Raman has been at Purdue for several years and is a Purdue Alumnus. Dr. Raman has placed a strong focus on elevating the prestige of Purdue Engineering and supporting the overall quality of academic programs and faculty development. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Arvind Raman as the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Arvind Raman’s appointment as the John A. Edwardson Dean for the College of Engineering. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Raman thanked the Committee remarking that he is very humbled and honored and looks forward to maximizing the impact of the College of Engineering.

III. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE LILLIAN BARBOUL THOMAS PROFESSOR

Provost Wolfe announced a newly endowed chair, the Lillian Barboul Thomas Professor. Dr. Yoon Yeo is an internationally recognized outstanding researcher and thought leader who focuses on drug delivery technologies and clinical translation to treat cancer and chronic diseases. She holds eleven patents, has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed articles and has been an invited lecturer at more than 135 national and international societies and universities. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Yoon Yeo as the inaugural Lillian Barboul Thomas Professor.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Yoon Yeo’s appointment as Lillian Barboul Thomas Professor. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Yeo thanked the Committee and noted that she is honored and grateful for the Trustee confidence. She thanked her family in Korea and Prof. Kinam Park who was her advisor, critic and supporter. She noted that it has been a privilege to be part of Purdue which has been a place where people who aim to succeed are able to succeed.

IV. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE R. NORRIS AND ELEANOR SHREVE PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Two candidates were brought forward for the R. Norris and Eleanor Shreve Professor of Chemical Engineering. Dr. Bryan Boudouris who is dedicated to advancing polymer science and engineering, soft materials science, and STEM scholarship to address critical global needs related to energy applications, clean water production, and devices for improved human health. Dr. Boudouris has been recognized with early career awards and has also been awarded the highly prestigious Dillon Medal of the American Physical Society, an award given annually to only one early-career polymer scientist or engineer who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and exceptional research promise. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Bryan Boudouris as the R. Norris and Eleanor Shreve Professor of Chemical Engineering.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Bryan Boudouris’s appointment as R. Norris and Eleanor Shreve Professor of Chemical Engineering. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Boudouris thanked everyone and stated that he is honored and humbled. He thanked his wife for her understanding and support. He looks forward to what lies ahead at the University.

V. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE R. NORRIS AND ELEANOR SHREVE PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The second candidate for consideration is Dr. Rajamani Gounder who has achieved seminal breakthroughs in catalysis and reaction engineering through the understanding and control of the structure of zeolite catalysts. These play major roles in providing clean air, clean water, and lower energy usage, and they will be a key to future global sustainability and climate control. Dr. Gounder has received a variety of early career awards and the prestigious and highly competitive Sloan Fellowship. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Rajamani Gounder as the R. Norris and Eleanor Shreve Professor of Chemical Engineering.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Rajamani Gounder’s appointment as R. Norris and Eleanor Shreve Professor of Chemical Engineering. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Gounder was very humbled and honored and especially thankful to share it with a long time friend Bryan Boudouris. He thanked Purdue for believing in him and for the incredible support given to him through the years. He thanked students and post-docs and faculty who worked alongside him. He is grateful to represent Purdue University.

VI. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE MARY JO AND ROBERT L. KIRK DIRECTOR OF THE BIRCK NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER

Provost Wolfe noted the next item is approval for a center directorship and introduced Dr. Karen Plaut, executive vice president for research who would present the recommendation. Dr. Plaut introduced Dr. Zhihong Chen who joined Purdue faculty in 2010 and was promoted to full professor in 2017. She has published over 130 journal and conference papers with more than 16,500 citations. During her time at Purdue she has pioneered the introduction of novel 2D materials to solve scaling challenges in IC chips. Dr. Chen received the 2012 Intel Early Career Faculty Award and received the Joel and Ruth Spira Excellence in Teaching Award in 2013. Dr. Plaut respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Zhihong Chen the Mary Jo and Robert L. Kirk Director of the Birck Nanotechnology Center.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Zhihong Chen’s appointment as the Mary Jo and Robert L. Kirk Director of the Birck Nanotechnology Center. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Chen shared that she is honored and humbled to be the next Mary Jo and Robert L. Kirk Director of the Birck Nanotechnology Center. She commented on the facility and how it is recognized as the best facility of its kind in a university setting and looks forward to what it can become in the future with expansion. She stated that she is very thankful for this opportunity.

VII. (SW) APPROVAL OF FACULTY 2023 PROMOTIONS

Committee Chair Brouillette noted the next proposal before the committee was system wide noting a number of faculty members to consider. She asked Provost Wolfe to share what it takes to be considered for promotion. He outlined the rigorous process noting the copious amounts of documentation required for review. Provost Wolfe recommended for approval, a roster of 180 faculty candidates for promotion which would go into effect at the beginning of each candidate’s regular term of service for 2023-2024.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the roster as presented for promotion. Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

VIII. (NW) APPROVAL OF NEW DEGREE PROGRAM; DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY

On behalf of Chancellor Tom Keon, Purdue University Northwest, Provost Wolfe shared that Purdue Northwest has an opportunity through a new degree program offering a Doctor of Psychology and Master of Science in Psychology. The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program will provide a professional career path for licensure in clinical psychology for residence in the Purdue Northwest service area. Students who do not matriculate into the PsyD program will be able to attain a Master of Science degree which could help them prepare them for other doctoral-level programs. Provost Wolfe requested that the Board approve this new residential degree program at Purdue Northwest to include a Doctor of Psychology and Master of Science in Psychology.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the new residential degree program at Purdue Northwest to include a Doctor of Psychology and Master of Science in Psychology. Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

IX. (NW) APPROVAL TO ESTABLISH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AS A DEGREE-GRANTING COLLEGE

Again, on behalf of Purdue University Northwest and Chancellor Tom Keon, Provost Wolfe requested the approval to establish University College as a degree granting college. This innovative multi-and-cross-disciplinary program would serve the entire university. It would include Exploratory student populations, under the oversight of faculty representing each academic college, and would allow Exploratory students to be admitted into an academic home, directly into a degree-granting college. It would provide them with a sense of belonging from the outset. This plan also specifies that the Honors College be recognized as a unit within University College, and that the current Dean of the Honors College and Undergraduate Studies would assume the role of Dean of University College and Honors College. Chancellor Keon provided additional information.

After full and frank discussion and upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to establish University College as a Degree-Granting College at Purdue Northwest Campus. Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

X. UNIVERSITY SENATE REPORT

Professor Brady shared that it was her last meeting as the Senate Chair as her term will conclude at the end of May. She thanked everyone for allowing her to sit at the table and represent the faculty at the West Lafayette campus. She shared highlights from their last meeting; approval of a variety of resolutions, election of Vice Chair 2023-24, Dr. Susan South – Psychology. Brian Leung, Department of English will become Senate Chair on June 1st. She shared some items of discussion: diversity and inclusion committee is looking at some accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing boilermakers; daycare policies and procedures; multiple documents related to clarification of language in the Title IX and Anti-Harassment policy. A copy of Professor Brady’s presentation was filed with the minutes.

Trustee Brouillette thanked Professor Brady noting that she has been a joy to work with and that she has been a wonderful representative of the faculty. Chairman Berghoff stated that he appreciated her support and her commitment.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 9:41 a.m.