A meeting of the Physical Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees convened at 8:53 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018, in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

All committee members were present: Gary Lehman, chair; Sonny Beck; Michael Klipsch; and Daniel Romary. All other trustees were present: Michael Berghoff; JoAnn Brouillette; Vanessa Castagna; Malcolm DeKryger; Thomas Spurgeon; 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of its last meeting convened on December 8, 2017, and minutes of an executive session convened on January 17, 2018.

II. APPROVAL TO PLAN, FINANCE, CONSTRUCT AND AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE BREES STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC CENTER FIRST FLOOR RENOVATION

Mr. Mike Cline, vice president for administrative operations, requested approval of a resolution to plan, finance, construct and award the construction contract for the Brees Student-Athlete Academic Center First Floor Renovation project. He explained that approximately 10,000 square feet of space would be renovated to create academic support space inclusive of group study rooms, tutoring space, a study hall, and a flexible classroom, which would be available to all students, not just student-athletes. He further explained that the space became vacant when the football operations (i.e., locker rooms and equipment storage) previously housed there were transferred to the new Football Performance Complex. Vice President Cline said the project budget of $2,700,000 would be funded by Intercollegiate Athletics gift funds, with construction to take place from July 2018–February 2019.  

Mr. Mike Bobinski, vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, pointed out that the renovation would align the facilities with the mission that student-athletes are students first, and it would allow Athletics to consolidate academic support facilities to not only better deliver academic services, but also ensure continued academic integrity. Vice President Bobinksi informed the Committee that the renovated space would be designed similar to other academic spaces on campus, he reiterated that the renovation would be entirely funded by gift funds already in hand, and he expressed his excitement about the project.  Dr. Frank Dooley, senior vice provost for teaching and learning, remarked that the Office of the Provost and Intercollegiate Athletics were learning from each other with regard to academic support programs, and he called Athletics’ Wooden Leadership Program “phenomenal.” Vice President Bobinski added that student-athletes spent a significant amount of time in the Brees Center.

Trustee Romary remarked that a student-athlete with whom he had recently spoken had shared her excitement about the renovation, saying it was much needed. Trustee Thompson expressed his appreciation for the nature of the discussion and Purdue’s focus on its students’ academic integrity. Chairman Berghoff remarked that the locker room to be removed as part of the renovation was the same locker room he used when he played Purdue football. He expressed his belief that the renovation would be a significant asset. He said the space could be highlighted to prospective student-athletes, and their parents could have a high level of confidence that their sons and daughters would not only compete in Purdue athletics, but they would walk away with a degree partly because of this commitment to academics.   

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the resolution for the project. Supporting documents were filed with the minutes. 

III. APPROVAL OF ACTIONS PREPARATORY TO PROJECT COMMENCEMENT:  HOUSING

Vice President Cline requested approval of a resolution for actions preparatory to project commencement for one or more student housing facilities on the West Lafayette campus. He explained that, because the long-term campus housing plan, which was being developed as part of the campus master plan, was not yet complete, the project would address the immediate demand for on-campus living and add approximately 1,000 new beds. Vice President Cline informed the Committee that the estimated cost was $90-100 million, though it and the source of funds were still being determined, with the goal of August 2020 occupancy. He anticipated that he would have more details for the Committee, and seek approval to finance, construct, and award the construction contract, when the Committee next met in April 2018.   

Dr. Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life, said the new housing would facilitate the goal of “academicizing,” and she reminded the Committee that students who live on campus perform better academically.  She also said that, with 700 students currently on the waiting list, approval of the new housing would take care of housing needs in a relatively expeditious manner.  Trustee Romary expressed his hope that it was obvious to everyone the new housing was essential given the increased enrollment, and he observed that this request was being handled differently than usual, which, Mr. Cline confirmed, was to expedite the timeline and provide for market outreach.  Chairman Berghoff added that the master planning process included taking inventory of existing housing space and had revealed there would be a need for 2,000 additional beds, half of which would be provided by this project. He further emphasized that the new housing would allow the university to “keep up” with the needs.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the resolution to prepare for the housing project.  Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

IV. ADJOURNMENT 

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 9:08 a.m.