Jischke hit some Purdue goals, missed others

In his seven years as president of Purdue University, Martin Jischke exceeded some of the lofty goals he set but missed others, according to an analysis by the Journal & Courier of Lafayette.

Jischke, whose last day was yesterday, raised $1.7 billion in private funds-well over the goal of $1.3 billion. He also made sweeping inroads in using the university to help the state build its economy.

Jischke compared Purdue to Cornell University and 10 other elite institutions rather than the Big 10 in order to set its aspirations high.

In some areas, the newspaper said, Purdue gained ground, but not as much as hoped.

For instance, faculty salaries improved to 9th from 12th, their level when the strategic plan was created in 2001; total faculty compensation is 8th instead of 9th.

Purdue faculty teach 74 percent of classes instead of 70 percent, but not 81 percent, the average for the other institutions. However, Purdue’s figure could rise after the last of 300 faculty being hired settles into their work.

And Purdue has made little progress in shifting more of its faculty into prestigious national science and engineering academies.

As for students, average financial aid rose 50 percent, to $7,955 per year, but tuition increased more than 70 percent.

Jischke is being replaced by France Cordova, who was vice chancellor for research and a professor of physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara.