Recap of March 18 Senate meeting

President Mitch Daniels reviewed ongoing physical changes to Purdue’s campus -- and described some potential future projects -- to senators at the latest University Senate meeting.

At the March 18 meeting, Daniels told the Senate about current and upcoming projects such as the new STEM teaching lab building, which is projected to be complete in August 2020. He also described the plan for an Engineering and Polytechnic Gateway that will serve the College of Engineering and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute with new labs, studios and spaces and is projected for groundbreaking in 2020.

Daniels told senators about the request for state funds for the construction of a new veterinary teaching hospital. Daniels said a new hospital is a priority for the University, with the current hospital being the oldest in the state.

Daniels described Purdue Memorial Union renovations, which are to begin in June. Daniels proposed using the Armory as a space to set up temporary retail and dining while some of the renovations take place at the Union and expects to have a decision made by next year.

Also at the meeting:

* Senate Chair Natalie Carroll said there were over 2,000 responses to the open survey that was created to help find a solution to strengthen civics education at Purdue. She said more details will be announced at a later time as senators continue to brainstorm different solutions for civics education and understanding among Purdue undergraduates.

* Stephen Beaudoin and Deborah Nichols, co-chairs of the Purdue Global Select Committee, provided further clarification about guest students in Purdue Global courses -- which is where a student enrolls in a single course as a non-degree-seeking student. Beaudoin and Nichols said Purdue Global will continue to admit guest students but will not actively recruit them. They also reminded the Senate about Purdue Global’s transfer credit procedures, which follow Purdue’s standard guidelines, and can be found on Purdue’s website.

* An item on the agenda regarding a jury duty absence policy was removed until the Educational Policy Committee can continue to collect input. A date was not set for a vote.

* Jonathan Neal, associate professor of entomology, presented a document proposing merger of the University Visual Arts Committee and the Architectural and Landscape Design Planning Committee. Neal said because of the overlap of both committees, merging them together would beneficial.

* After a vote, Nichols, associate professor of human development and family studies, was elected as the Senate’s vice chair for academic year 2019-20. Both Nichols and David Sanders, associate professor of biological sciences, were proposed as candidates and gave speeches before the vote.

* Carina Olaru, director of the Latino Cultural Center, gave an update about the center and its plans for the rest of the year. The center has been working on rebranding several of its annual events – such as the annual student retreat.

A Senate newsletter can be found on the Senate website on the meetings and documents page, starting with the month of January. The next Senate meeting is scheduled for April 15.

Writer: Abbey Nickel, 765-496-1325, nickela@purdue.edu