A meeting of the Board of Trustees convened at 9:27 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018, in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.   

All trustees were present: Sonny Beck; Michael Berghoff, chairman; JoAnn Brouillette; Vanessa Castagna; Malcolm DeKryger; Michael Klipsch; Gary Lehman; Daniel Romary; Thomas Spurgeon, 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; Bill Sullivan, treasurer and chief financial officer; Jim Almond, senior vice president and assistant treasurer; Steve Schultz, legal counsel; Trent Klingerman, assistant legal counsel and chief privacy officer; Janice Indrutz, corporate secretary and executive assistant to the Board; Ronald Elsenbaumer, chancellor of Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW); and Tom Keon, chancellor of Purdue University Northwest (PNW).

I. ROLL CALL

Chairman Berghoff called the meeting to order and noted that all trustees were present.

II. FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE

Chairman Berghoff drew the Board’s attention to the schedule of future meetings listed on the agenda, which included meetings scheduled through December 2019.

III. APPROVAL OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

The following Unanimous Consent items had been fully explored and debated in committee meetings held prior to this meeting or were routine in nature. Chairman Berghoff read the list of items and 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 each of the following items:

• Minutes: Executive Committee, January 11, 2018; stated meeting, December 8, 2017; and executive session, December 7, 2017;
• Approval to award a posthumous Associate of Science degree to Ethan P. Brown (WL), as recommended by the Academic Affairs Committee; 
• Ratification of Dr. Douglas R. Schmitt as the Stephen and Karen Brand Chair (WL), as recommended by the Academic Affairs Committee; 
• Ratification of Dr. Qingyan Chen as the James G. Dwyer Professor of Mechanical Engineering (WL), as recommended by the Academic Affairs Committee;
• Approval to change the name of the Department of Youth Development and Agricultural Education in the College of Agriculture to the Department of Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication (WL), as recommended by the Academic Affairs Committee; 
• Approval to plan, finance, construct and award construction contract for the Brees Student-Athlete Academic Center First Floor Renovation (WL), as recommended by the Physical Facilities Committee;
• Approval of actions preparatory to project commencement: Housing (WL), as recommended by the Physical Facilities Committee;
• Approval of contract in excess of $2,000,000 with Ellucian Support, Inc. (SW), as recommended by the Finance Committee;
• Approval of 2017 Annual Report of the Director of Audits (SW), as recommended by the Audit and Insurance Committee;
• Approval to change the name of the Audit and Insurance Committee to the Audit and Risk Management Committee, as recommended by the Audit and Insurance Committee;
• Approval to amend the name of the Land O’Lakes Center for Experiential Learning to the Land O’Lakes, Inc. Center for Experiential Learning (WL);  
• Approval of Conflict of Interest disclosures (SW); and 
• Approval of exceptions to the Nepotism Policy (SW).

All supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

IV. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Daniels began his report by profiling the gifts of $1,000,000 or more that the university had received since the Board last met on December 8, 2017.  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:

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: Walther Cancer Foundation, to support the Purdue Center for Cancer Research; Warren and Nancy Huntzinger, to support the College of Agriculture and College of Health and Human Sciences; Bob and Amy Martin, to support Intercollegiate Athletics; Don Newsom, to support the School of Engineering Education; Rick and Anne Borch, to support the College of Pharmacy; Michael Seretny, to support the College of Education, Intercollegiate Athletics, and Purdue Convocations; Leslie Bottorff and Celeste Bottorff, to support the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering; Brian and Tina Grigsby, to support Intercollegiate Athletics; Anonymous, to support the College of Veterinary Medicine; and Anonymous, to support Purdue University Northwest.

President Daniels commended the work of the University Development Office (UDO) and informed the Board that, for the first time, UDO had raised over $200,000,000 in gifts and pledges during the first half of the fiscal year. Chairman Berghoff called for a motion to approve the resolution of appreciation for these friends of Purdue University. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the resolution. A formal copy of the resolution was included with the minutes.

Before turning his report to institutional excellence, President Daniels first provided the Board with an admissions update, saying the university had received another record number of applications (almost 52,000) and the largest number of acceptances in Purdue history.  He took a moment to recognize Dr. Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life, and the housing staff for their successful efforts in Fall 2017 to prioritize freshman for on-campus housing.  President Daniels also remarked briefly about the Higher Learning Commission’s anticipated approval of Purdue University Global. He referenced a special report newly issued by The Chronicle of Higher Education which discussed the “growing imperative for colleges to support the adult student movement,” to which, he said, Purdue University had responded by creating Purdue University Global.  

President Daniels then illustrated data that underscored the university’s institutional excellence, metrics upon which he hoped to expand in the future. He discussed top scholar enrollment trends, which, he said, pointed to a strong demand for a Purdue education, and he highlighted faculty awards and honors. He specifically recognized Dr. Kathleen Howell for having been elected to both the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and said it was rare for a faculty member to be elected to two national academies in one year. In response to a question from Chairman Berghoff about how faculty members were nominated, President Daniels expressed his desire to assist faculty with applying for such highly selective honors, much like the National and International Scholarships Office assisted students with applying for highly selective scholarship opportunities. Dr. Patrick Wolfe, Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science, told the Board that this type of support was recently discussed at a meeting of the deans, observing that success breeds success. Provost Akridge further informed the Board that a provost fellow was currently focused on efforts to be much more deliberate about cultivating nominations, saying, “we have fantastic faculty that we want to see lifted up and recognized.”

President Daniels also illustrated growth in research productivity, and he recognized Dr. Suresh Garimella, who participated in the discussion of research data, for his leadership of the Office of Research and Partnerships in building partnerships with corporations to garner non-governmental sponsored research. President Daniels pointed to a sharp escalation in entrepreneurial activity and transfer of research, which, he said, was a good measure of the university’s quality of research and its commitment to engagement. To conclude his report, President Daniels noted that the number of startup companies had tripled since fiscal year 2013 and said 165 companies were using Purdue technology.  

A copy of President Daniels’ report presentation was filed with the minutes.

V. RATIFICATION OF DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF NUTRITION SCIENCE

Provost Akridge respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Michele R. Forman as a Distinguished Professor of Nutrition Science. He informed the Board that Dr. Forman was an internationally recognized nutritional epidemiologist whose paradigm-shifting research had contributed substantially to the understanding of nutrition and its role in women’s health. Provost Akridge highlighted that Dr. Forman had held senior positions at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, and she had served on a number of key committees charged with making recommendations pertaining to national health-related policies. Provost Akridge discussed Dr. Forman’s research and referenced one of eight letters in support of her appointment. He concluded by saying that Dr. Forman came to Purdue from the University of Texas at Austin in January 2017 to be head of the Department of Nutrition Science in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Forman’s appointment as distinguished professor. Supporting materials and a photo were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Forman remarked that she was deeply honored by the appointment. She discussed her passion for maternal and child health and how it had influenced her first year at Purdue. She remarked that the Department of Nutrition Science was extraordinary and “knee deep in terrific science.”  

VI. RATIFICATION OF DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Provost Akridge respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte as a Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy. He informed the Board that Dr. Pyrak-Nolte was known as a leading expert on acoustic, mechanical, and transport characteristics of porous and fractured media. He discussed the nature of her work and said her research had broad societal impact and addressed national needs. Provost Akridge noted that Dr. Pyrak-Nolte was president of the American Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Association and president-elect of the International Society for Porous Media, posts which, he said, demonstrated the esteem in which she was held by her peers, and he referenced one of eight letters in support of Dr. Pyrak-Nolte’s nomination. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify Dr. Pyrak-Nolte’s appointment as distinguished professor.  Supporting materials and a photo were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Pyrak-Nolte remarked that her appointment was a great and unexpected honor that would not have been possible without the tremendous support she had received from her students and colleagues, as well as the resources provided by the university to acquire new scientific equipment, which, she said, made it possible to remain on the forefront of research and facilitated collaborations on campus. She acknowledged her parents for their influence and her husband, Dr. David Nolte, Edward M. Purcell Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy.

VII. REPORT OF THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

The Board received an update on the College of Liberal Arts from Dr. David Reingold, Justin S. Morrill Dean, who last reported in December 2015. Dean Reingold began his report by informing the Board that the College’s biggest challenge was declining undergraduate enrollment, which, President Daniels interjected, had dropped across the country, but Dean Reingold also shared his belief that Purdue was the only Big Ten university showing growth at the freshman level.  

Dean Reingold then focused his report on the College’s four goals, the first of which was to strengthen undergraduate education.  He said that every department in the college had at least one major that could be completed in three years (i.e. the “Degree in 3” initiative), and he discussed the Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts certificate program.  President Daniels took the opportunity to compliment Dean Reingold, saying these were very important innovations that had caught the attention of other universities and of which the College should be proud.  Dean Reingold also shared how the College had provided financial support to students who otherwise would have had to turn down career-launching internship opportunities, examples of which he provided at Trustee DeKryger’s request. Trustee Brouillette asked how the College was getting the word out to the business community about the Cornerstone program, to which Dean Reingold responded that he would welcome the Board members’ support to begin forming those relationships and partnerships.

Dean Reingold discussed the second goal of upgrading graduate education. He explained that the College had strategically decreased the number of graduate students in order to increase the stipend for graduate students, which, he said, had put Purdue in the top third of the Big Ten and allowed Purdue to begin outcompeting other universities for students. Dean Reingold then discussed the third goal of enhancing faculty excellence. He provided an overview of three initiatives to support faculty research, travel, and new artistic works, and he spoke about how the College had begun to recruit leading faculty. The fourth goal outlined by Dean Reingold was expanding revenue sources, which, he believed, offered much room for improvement. He explained that efforts were underway to commercialize the Online Writing Lab (OWL) given its 450 million page views in a one-year period, and he said a writing seminar had been conducted with members of Congress to showcase OWL.

To conclude his report, Dean Reingold requested the Board’s continued support to champion the College’s undergraduate programs and introduce the College and its initiatives to partners that could help it grow. Trustee Castagna asked how the College was getting the word out to prospective high school students, to which Dean Reingold responded that the College had formed a recruitment team.  A copy of Dean Reingold’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

VIII. REPORTS FROM PURDUE UNIVERSITY FORT WAYNE 

A. FACULTY SENATE

Professor Abraham Schwab began his report by telling the Board that his report would be the last report of the speaker of the Purdue University faculty given that Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) would formally become Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) on July 1, 2018. He informed the Board that much of the Senate’s focus had been on the realignment, with 14 documents and resolutions considered or passed related to policies and bylaws, preservation of historical IPFW documents, and calendar coordination with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Professor Schwab outlined a number of improvements that had been made with regard to shared governance and other process improvements, and he discussed the goal of integrating the academic values of athletics into the broader campus culture.  A copy of Professor Schwab’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

B. STUDENT GOVERNMENT 

Mr. Evan Lunceford, IPFW student body president, outlined the goals on which student government was working during the academic year, including more community engagement projects. Evan also discussed the organization’s investments. These included a student publication, of which he provided samples, recognition of top 50 students, and student travel. He also spoke about the investment in a campus food bank, which, he said, had seen a steady increase in users since it opened in November 2017. To conclude his report, Evan discussed four goals for the next academic year, which included continued engagement with IU students post-realignment.  A copy of Evan’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

IX. REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE

Professor Alberto Rodriguez, chair of the University Senate, reported on three of the Senate’s efforts. He said the director of benefits had made a presentation about the Healthy Boiler Program at the last Senate meeting, and senators were sharing this information with their faculty colleagues and encouraging them to participate in the program. Professor Rodriguez discussed the progress made with regard to the Big Ten initiative to address academic publishing monopolies and said that universities in Germany and South Korea had achieved some success. He also provided an update on the opposition to the Kaplan-Purdue deal (i.e., Purdue University Global).  

In response to a question from Trustee Castagna, Treasurer Sullivan said that early results of the impact of the Healthy Boiler initiative should be known in the summer. Chairman Berghoff asked Professor Rodriguez how the initiative with regard to the publishing monopolies could be furthered following the end of Professor Rodriguez’s term as University Senate chair. Professor Rodriguez responded that he would encourage his successor to continue the momentum and that he would personally continue to participate in the initiative because he believed it was important, with which Chairman Berghoff agreed. A copy of Professor Rodriguez’s remarks outline was filed with the minutes.  

X. REPORT OF THE PURDUE STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Mr. Sam Eschker, president of Purdue Student Government, focused his report on the effects of enrollment expansion on students. He discussed the effects of the expansion on residence halls, student organizations, and other facilities. He expressed his belief that the university should also be looking for ways to provide resources for students who live off campus, and he expressed concern about overcrowding at the CoRec and study and lab spaces, as well as concern about increased competition for class enrollment. Mr. Eschker also offered recommendations to address some of these issues. Trustee Thompson remarked that he was extremely supportive of Sam’s recommendations and asked him to provide further context for the concerns he outlined.  

Chairman Berghoff asked Sam what he was seeing with regard to lines at the dining courts.  Trustee Romary recognized the improvements to dinnertime dining that had been implemented a few years earlier but echoed Sam’s concerns about long lines and shortage of seating at lunchtime. Trustee Romary remarked that Sam’s report was useful in helping the Board understand in what ways students were feeling the effects of increased enrollment.  President Daniels took the opportunity to recognize Sam’s constructive, active, and relevant leadership. He remarked to Sam that his work was evident by the actions the Board had taken as a result of issues he had brought to its attention. President Daniels further commented that the increase in graduate stipends on which Dean Reingold had earlier reported was a direct result of student leadership, and he once again commended the quality of student leadership at Purdue.  A copy of Mr. Eschker’s report presentation was filed with the minutes.

XI. FOR PURDUE NORTHWEST:  APPROVAL TO NAME THE GABIS ARBORETUM

Chancellor Keon respectfully requested approval to name the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest.  He informed the Board that Purdue University Northwest had been gifted the Taltree Arboretum, located just outside of Valparaiso, Indiana, which he described for the Board. He explained that the arboretum would be used to enhance many of PNW’s programs, including biology, engineering and technology, hospitality, business, and English, and PNW would continue to honor the conservation, environmental, and public education mission of the arboretum.  He further explained that naming the arboretum for Damien and Rita Gabis would honor them for having gifted the property, all its assets, and $3.5 million in a Charitable Remainder Unitrust. Chairman Berghoff remarked that the arboretum sounded very nice, and in response to a comment from Trustee DeKryger, Chancellor Keon clarified that the arboretum would provide opportunities to unite students from the Westville and Hammond campuses. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve naming the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest.  Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

XII. WINTER RECESS

Chairman Berghoff informed the Board that President Daniels had requested to extend the winter break for faculty and staff again in 2018. President Daniels remarked that this gesture had been very well received the previous two years and said he was convinced that, not only was it the family-friendly thing to do, it was conducive to productivity. He said the request was being made now so that faculty and staff could plan ahead. Upon the call of Chairman Berghoff, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the extended winter break, the dates of which would be December 24, 2018 through January 1, 2019.

XIII. DESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS FOR PURDUE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Chairman Berghoff recommended to the Board that Trustees Beck, Brouillette, Castagna, Klipsch, and Lehman be designated as directors of Purdue International for another one-year term. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of the reappointments.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.