A meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees convened at 8:41 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. 

Committee members present were: JoAnn Brouillette, chair; Kevin Boes, Vanessa Castagna; Shawn Taylor; and Professor Brian Leung, (ex officio). Other trustees present: Sonny Beck; Michael Berghoff; Theresa Carter; Malcolm DeKryger; Michael Klipsch; and Gary Lehman. 

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; Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor, Purdue University Fort Wayne; and Tom Keon, chancellor, Purdue University Northwest.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 6, 2023

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of its meetings convened on June 9, 2023.

II. POSTHUMOUS DEGREE

Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to award a posthumous Doctor of Philosophy degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering to Zelong (Bruce) Ding. He shared that Bruce passed away September 30, 2023, after a courageous battle with Leukemia. Provost Wolfe noted that Bruce met the University’s requirements for the conferral of a posthumous Ph.D. degree by completing at least 85% of the credit hour requirements including most of the requirements for the major.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to award posthumous degree to Zelong (Bruce) Ding.

III. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE TOMPKINS PROFESSOR IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Provost Wolfe recommended the appointment of Dr. Yuehwern Yih as the Tompkins Professor in Industrial Engineering. He shared that Dr. Yih joined the faculty at Purdue in Industrial Engineering in 1989 and is an influential researcher in the field of health/humanitarian supply chains and smart production systems. One of Dr. Yih’s most remarkable aspects is her notable impact on humanitarian relief efforts and addressing critical humanitarian supply chain challenges.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to appoint Dr. Yuehwern Yih as the Tompkins Professor in Industrial Engineering. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Yih shared that she is honored to be appointed and thanked Dr. Tompkins for his generosity and leadership. She thanked her collaborators, colleagues, students, and staff members who have supported her work. She thanked her family for their many sacrifices to allow her to have this journey. 

IV. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE HERBERT C. BROWN CHAIR IN CHEMISTRY

Provost Wolfe respectfully requested the approval of the appointment of Dr. Christopher Uyeda as the Herbert C. Brown Chair in Chemistry. Provost Wolfe shared that Dr. Uyeda joined Purdue in 2013. Dr. Uyeda works on developing new types of transition metal catalysts that can be used in organic synthesis reactions, with an emphasis on the use of first-row periodic table metals. Dr. Uyeda is the recipient of multiple early career awards and teaching awards. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Christopher Uyeda as the Herbert C. Brown Chair in Chemistry. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Uyeda thanked the whole Purdue community for all the support throughout his career. He stated that he is very humbled to think about all the people who held the Brown Chair before him.

V. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE ROBERT WALLACE MILLER DIRECTOR OF THE PURDUE INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Karen Plaut, Executive Vice President for Research respectfully submitted the recommendation for appointment of Dr. Andrew Mesecar as the Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. Dr. Plaut shared that Dr. Mesecar’s research expertise is in the structure and function of enzymes and the use of structure-based approaches to design drugs that target enzymes involved in cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and coronavirus infections.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Andrew Mesecar’s appointment as the Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Mesecar shared what an honor it is to hold the position after Prof. Tim Ratliff filled it and elevated the center to where it currently stands. He thanked the Miller family and shared his appreciation for the support system Purdue has in place not only for him but also his wife and family. 

VI. APPROVAL OF NEW DEGREE, MASTER OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

Provost Wolfe respectfully submitted for approval a new degree, Master of Business and Technology in the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. Provost Wolfe shared that businesses require professionals and leaders who understand both business and technology to drive innovation and stay competitive. Thus, there is a market for programs like this to ensure graduates are well-rounded and versatile in their professional capabilities.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of a new degree, Master of Business and Technology in the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr School of Business. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

VII. (ONLINE) APPROVAL OF NEW DEGREE, MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 

Provost Wolfe recommended for consideration a new degree, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (online). He noted this degree is part of the Purdue Computes Strategic Initiative. Provost Wolfe noted that given the large labor market demand and only a few fully online competitors, there is a need for additional training in artificial intelligence. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval of the new degree, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of a new degree, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (online). Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

VIII. UNIVERSITY SENATE REPORT

University Senate Chair, Professor Leung shared Senate action updates focusing on the items below.

• A.I. Guidelines
• Welcoming faculty from IUPUI 
• Documents for Action – passed

• MISC:  

A copy of Professor Leung’s presentation was filed with the minutes.

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.