A stated meeting of the Purdue University Board of Trustees convened on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 9:25 a.m. in Room 279 of Stewart Center on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Trustees present: Michael Berghoff, chairman; Sonny Beck; Kevin Boes; JoAnn Brouillette; Vanessa Castagna; Malcolm DeKryger; Michael Klipsch; Gary Lehman, vice chairman; and Shawn Taylor. Trustee Theresa Carter participated via teleconference.
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, senior vice president and general counsel; Cindy Ream, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board; and Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor, Purdue University Fort Wayne.
I. ROLL CALL
Chairman Berghoff called the meeting to order and noted all trustees were in attendance adding that Trustee Carter was joining via conference call for a portion of the meeting.
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 August 3, 2023, October 5, 2023, December 7, 2023; Stated Meeting June 9, 2023; August 4, 2023, October 6, 2023; and Executive Committee June 14, 2023.
III. UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA
The Academic and Student Affairs Committee convened a public meeting immediately prior to this Stated Meeting. Chairman Berghoff read the list of items on which the Committee voted to recommend full Board approval, which includes the unanimous consent agenda along with other routine items, as follows:
- (WL) Ratification of the Evanson-McCoy Professor
- (PNW) Approval of new degree, Master of Social Work
- (WL) Ratification of Graduate House Parking Garage Demolition and Site Restoration; and
- (SW) Approval of Conflict-of-Interest Disclosures
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. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Before beginning his report, President Chiang asked for a moment of silence in memory of Neel Acharya, an undergraduate Purdue student who recently passed away.
Amelia Earhart Terminal
President Chiang commented that beginning in March, Purdue will be bringing passenger service back to Purdue University airport. He shared that Purdue University received approval from Amelia Earhart’s estate to name the new terminal the Amelia Earhart Terminal at Purdue University Airport. President Chiang noted the project funding comes from the Governor’s READI Program (Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative). He requested Board of Trustee approval of the naming. Chairman Berghoff asked for a motion to approve at which time General Counsel Steve Schultz added that the motion in addition to the naming, authorizes the treasurer to execute and deliver the license agreement.
Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the naming of the Amelia Earhart Terminal. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.
Faculty Awards Recognition
President Chiang recognized individually those who received major sponsored research funding awards of $1M and above from September 2023 to January 2024. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.
Resolution of Appreciation for Friends of Purdue University
President Chiang profiled the gifts of $1,000,000.00 or more which the university had received since the Board’s stated Meeting on December 8, 2023. 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: Lilly Endowment Incorporated, to support Purdue University and the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business; Anonymous, to support the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business; Anonymous, to support the College of Engineering; Donna and James Lambrechts, to support the College of Liberal Arts and the Lyles School of Civil Engineering; and Marcia and Laurence Whiteley, to support the College of Veterinary Medicine.
President Chiang submitted the Resolution of Appreciation for the Board’s approval.
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.
President Chiang acknowledged the generous visionary support by Lilly Endowment noting they have been an essential cornerstone in the state of Indiana for many years. He shared the recent gift of $100 Million was the largest gift in the history of Purdue University and it will be divided 50/50 between Purdue Computes and the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business.
Research Presentation – Dr. Paul Robinson
President Chiang introduced Dr. Paul Robinson, Distinguished Professor of Cytometry & Direct of Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories. He shared that Dr. Robinson, last year, was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. Robinson thanked the members of the board for their dedication and work that they do on behalf of the university, stating that he gains the value that the board brings to the university. Dr. Robinson’s presentation focused on detection technologies for a variety of things; pathogens in food, water, and blood cell analysis, to name a few. A copy of Dr. Robinson’s presentation was filed with the minutes.
Purdue University in Indianapolis Annual Report
President Chiang transitioned into the Purdue University in Indianapolis Annual Report, which he noted will be presented each February going forward. He mentioned the launch date, July 1, 2024, and reiterated it is Purdue’s first comprehensive urban campus. He shared the vision of Purdue University in Indianapolis and introduced Dan Hasler, chief operation officer and David Umulis, senior vice provost, who provided an update. Mr. Umulis began by emphasizing that Purdue University in Indianapolis is an extension of Purdue University West Lafayette with a unified curriculum, career-relevant experiential education, the John Martinson Honors College and partnerships with top businesses and leading industries. Mr. Hasler expressed his enthusiasm for Purdue University in Indianapolis noting that he is a fan of Indianapolis, a fan of Purdue and a fan of the state of Indiana and stated that he looks forward to observing the process. He commented that Indianapolis is very excited for the opportunity to partner in a new way with Purdue University. Mr. Umulis then shared about student life in Indianapolis. He mentioned the housing and dining opportunities, student activities and organizations and unique extracurricular opportunities. Mr. Umulis commented on the transition and integration of faculty and staff and reported that instructors are being assigned to courses for the fall 2024 semester. Mr. Hasler shared a map of the footprint of Purdue University in Indianapolis and provided details of the lease agreements and the opportunity for potential future projects. A copy of the presentation was filed with the minutes.
Chairman Berghoff recognized President Chiang’s executive team and thanked them for their exceptional work and consistent high performance levels. He noted the end of President Chiang’s first year, and remarked a lot has happened; Purdue in Indianapolis, Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes, Purdue DC, Air service at Purdue airport. He thanked President Chiang and recognized First Lady Hue. He commented that as a young family, their connection to the community makes Purdue feel more personal. He concluded by reiterating special thanks to the staff and President Chiang and family. President Chiang commented that they are blessed to serve and said it takes a whole village and Purdue has the best village.
Transportation and Pedestrian Safety
President Chiang shared key findings from a campuswide survey that was completed by over 1500 faculty, staff, and students. Most respondents feel safe all or most of the time and the primary reason for feeling unsafe is alternative transportation devices and motorized vehicles. Next steps are being discussed along with plans for implementation and enforcement.
Winter Recess
President Chiang concluded his report with the proposal for consideration by the Board for approval of Winter Recess consistent with years past. Human Resources proposed an extra day this year due to the way the holidays fall on the calendar.
Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the proposed Winter Recess.
V. DESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR FOR PURDUE FORT WAYNE FOUNDATION
Chancellor Elsenbaumer requested approval of Jeannine Villarreal as a new Purdue Director of Purdue Fort Wayne Foundation. He noted the need for this approval was due to a recent vacancy of a Purdue Director.
Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Jeannine Villarreal as a Purdue Director for the Purdue Fort Wayne Foundation.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
By consent, the meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.