A stated meeting of the Purdue University Board of Trustees convened on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 10:22 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: 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; and Cindy Ream, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board.

I. ROLL CALL

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

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the minutes for Executive Sessions convened on June 8, 2023 and June 14, 2023.

III. UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Finance Committee and Physical Facilities 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 includes the unanimous consent agenda along with other routine items, as follows:

• (WL) Ratification; Reilly Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering;
• (WL) Ratification; Joyce and Edward E. Brewer Chair in Applied Ethics;
• (PFW) Ratification; Steel Dynamics Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science;
• Approval of Healthcare Plans;
• Ratification of Distributions Supporting Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue;
• Approval of Airport Lease with Purdue Aviation
• Approval to Sell Parcel at 600 North Russell Street to Lambda Iota Graduate Corp. d/b/a Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity
• Approval to Increase Authorization for Life Science Ranges Phenotyping Greenhouse Building
• (WL) Approval to Plan, Finance, Construct and Award Construction Contracts for:
  • Hillenbrand Residence Hall South;
  • Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building
  • Purdue Airport Terminal
• Approval of Conferral Exception Request
• (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. 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.

IV. FACULTY AWARDS RECOGNITION

President Chiang recognized individually those Faculty who received Research and Scholarship awards from April through July 2023. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

V. RESEARCH PRESENTATION – Dr. John Sutherland

President Chiang introduced Dr. John Sutherland and noted that he was recently inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Sutherland shared his research and the practice of using engineering to bring about change, specifically in the areas of environmental and ecological engineering. A copy of Dr. Sutherland’s presentation was filed with the minutes.

VI. PRESIDENT CHIANG’S REPORT

President Chiang shared about the formal dissolution of IUPUI and the creation of Purdue University in Indianapolis which took place in June 2023. He showed a map which depicted the areas that IUPUI resides in until June 30, 2024, and future opportunities. He shared the Purdue University in Indianapolis work stream showing multiple areas where the University has been hard at work making sure there will be smooth transition but also keeping the quality that Purdue University is known for. He commented that it is Purdue University’s first urban campus as an extension of the West Lafayette campus. He shared a resolution for the Board to consider for approval.

Chairman Berghoff asked for some background on the resolution. President Chiang shared that IUPUI has been in operation for more than 50 years and there are 70-80 either tenured or tenure track professors in seven departments that will be transferred out of IU into Purdue University on July 1, 2024. He stated that they will be provided the same rank, title compensation, normal teaching assignment within the discipline, normal research resources including the ability to supervise graduate students, write proposals, and have research facilities as they stand currently.

Chairman Berghoff outlined the resolution and what it does:

It provides for the establishment of a faculty tenure home, to be known as “University Tenure in Indianapolis”, which will apply exclusively to tenured and tenure-track faculty transferring from IU and who ultimately elect this employment option as of July1, 2024.

It describes the basic privileges, attributes and expectations associated with that tenured or tenure-track status, including the fact that the reporting line will be to the Senior Vice Provost serving as the chief academic officer for Purdue in Indianapolis.

It authorizes the proper officers to take the necessary actions to establish and give effect to this new “University Tenure in Indianapolis, including, at the discretion of the President, seeking advice from the Faculty Affairs Committee of the University Senate on implementation details.

With that explanation, Chairman Berghoff entertained a motion to approve and adopt this Resolution. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, and brief discussion, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the resolution. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

President Chiang provided a metrics report for FY23. He noted an operating surplus for Purdue University West Lafayette $145M (5.68% of operating budget); Purdue University Northwest at $6M and Purdue University Fort Wayne at $3M. Regarding fundraising he shared a record $410M up 12.5% from year over year. He commented that the donor count increased to 83,836 up 1.1% from the previous year. He shared the Purdue Day of Giving total of $110M up 61.7% year over year and the first time being above $100M. He mentioned the Research Awards and National Center Wins all experienced notable increases, which reflects the excellence at scale of our faculty colleagues. Patents and Startups continue to show positive results.

President Chiang shared undergraduate admissions metrics noting there were 72,796 applicants with 50% acceptance rate. He noted the SAT score and GPA averages set a new watermark. He shared retention rates noting there is work to be done as there seems to be a drop year over year but noted graduation rates had an increase. He mentioned a new metric – EDR, Earnings to Debt Ration which currently stands at 6.02 from last year.

He mentioned graduate student admissions noting both PhD and Master’s application and admission rates stand very high. He shared data for Purdue University Online, noting that this is not Purdue Global, but Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Purdue University Fort Wayne. President Chiang shared three areas he hopes to share comparative data for in the future; faculty awards, publication citations and books published.

In conclusion, President Chiang shared reputation, marketing, and branding data. Of particular interest is the earned media increase of 62%, impressions increase of 62% and noted the podcast ranked at #2 in the education chart.

A copy of the presentation was filed with the minutes.

VII. UNIVERSITY STAFF

Chairman Berghoff asked Provost Patrick Wolfe to present the recommendations for the Distinguished Professor Candidates.

Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Melba Crawford as the Nancy Uridil and Frank Bosseu Distinguished Professor in Civil Engineering. He informed the Board that Dr. Crawford’s area of expertise is in the collection and analysis of remote sensing data and its application to interdisciplinary problems. Her work, both seminal and enduring, has resulted in new capabilities to address critical problems in agriculture, geotechnical engineering, and environmental mapping and monitoring, with profound impacts around the world. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Melba Crawford’s appointment as the Nancy Uridil and Frank Bosseu Distinguished Professor in Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Crawford thanked the Board and shared her appreciation of her colleagues for nominating her. She shared that her research is interdisciplinary, and she appreciates all that she has learned from those in science, technology, and agriculture.

Provost Wolfe’s next requested approval to appoint Dr. Andrei Gabrielov as a Distinguished Professor in Mathematics. He noted that in Dr. Gabrielov’s career he has had a remarkable impact in theoretical mathematics. His work in geophysics resulted in new models of seismicity, improved prediction and understanding of earthquakes. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Gabrielov’s appointment as a Distinguished Professor in Mathematics.

Dr. Gabrielov noted his gratefulness for the promotion and the opportunity to teach for almost 30 years now. He commented that he is thankful for all the support.

Next Provost Wolfe respectfully requested the approval to appoint Dr. Jie Shen as a Distinguished Professor in Mathematics for Dr. Jie Shen. He shared that Dr. Shen is a classical applied mathematician and noted that a lot of his work is focused in areas of materials science, fluid dynamics and scientific and engineering applications. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Shen’s appointment as a Distinguished Professor in Mathematics.

Dr. Shen thanked the Board noting he is very humbled for the nomination and ratification. He thanked his colleagues, students, and his family for their support.

Provost Wolfe requested the approval to appoint Dr. Alexandra Boltasseva as the Ron and Dotty Garvin Tonjes Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He noted that Dr. Boltasseva is one of the strongest minds in all things quantum. Her emphasis is on nanophotonics, plasmonics, and optical metamaterials. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Boltasseva as the Ron and Dotty Garvin Tonjes Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Dr. Boltasseva said she is so honored, overwhelmed and deeply humbled. She shared that twelve years ago she was a guest when her then mentor, colleague and now husband Vlad Shalaev received his Distinguished Professorship. She commented that she never thought she would be receiving one as well. She thanked him for his love and support and believing in her.

Dr. Wolfe requested the approval to appoint Dr. Carol Handwerker as the Reinhardt Schuhmann, Jr. Distinguished Professor in the School of Materials Engineering. He shared that she has been very instrumental in taking lead out of solder. He noted her work has led to much of the change for lead free electronics. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Handwerker as the Reinhardt Schuhmann, Jr. Distinguished Professor in the School of Materials Engineering.

Dr. Handwerker thanked the Board and noted a time 18 years ago when they were deciding whether to come to Purdue. She is grateful they did and said this is home in every sense.

Provost Wolfe requested the approval to appoint Dr. Scott Sudhoff as the Michael and Katherine Birck Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He shared that Dr. Sudhoff’s leadership has been around electric machinery and applications thereof. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Sudhoff as the Michael and Katherine Birck Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Dr. Sudhoff commented that the appointment really means a lot to him, and he appreciates it. He mentioned some of his colleagues from Electrical and Computer Engineering who have supported him. He thanked his wife of 40 years, Julie.

Provost Wolfe requested the approval to appoint Dr. Rao Govindaraju as the Christopher B. and Susan S. Burke Distinguished Professor in Civil Engineering. He shared that Dr. Govindaraju’s work is hydrology which is the study of water and earth and how it moves in relation to land. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Govindaraju as the Christopher B. and Susan S. Burke Distinguished Professor in Civil Engineering.

Dr. Govindaraju shared what a great honor it was to be there for this recognition. He thanked his colleagues and mentioned he is grateful for the wonderful facilities he gets to work in. He is appreciative of the great students he gets to work with as well. He thanked his family for their support in his academic journey. He noted that distinguished professors are who he looked to for counsel and for guidance and he holds this in high regard.

Provost Wolfe requested the approval to appoint Dr. Ribeiroi as the W. Nicholas and Elizabeth H. Delgass Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering. He noted that Dr. Ribeiro works in catalysis and technology. His distinguished research career has been focused on renewable sources in energy and decarbonization. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Ribeiroi as the W. Nicholas and Elizabeth H. Delgass Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering.

Dr. Ribeiroi thanked the Board for the honor. He shared that Professor Delgass is the one who brought him to Purdue. He noted that the stamp of Distinguished Professor carries enormous weight and he does not take it lightly or for granted. He thanked his wife and daughter who were in attendance.

VIII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE 2023-2025 BIENNIUM

Chairman Berghoff noted that, pursuant to the Bylaws, the Board needed to elect the officers of the Board for the 2023-2025 Biennium.

The slate of officers submitted to the Board for approval include:

• Chairman: Michael Berghoff
• Vice Chairman: Gary Lehman
• Corporate Secretary: Cindy Ream
• Assistant Secretary: Eva Nodine
• Treasurer: Christopher Ruhl
• Assistant Treasurer: Eva Nodine
• General Counsel: Steven Schultz
• Deputy General Counsel: Adrian Allen

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the officers for the 2023-2025 Biennium.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 11:42 a.m.