Flight Series - Part 5: President utilizes aircraft for appearances, meetings
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 10/30/2009
This BeechJet 400a is one of three planes used to fly Purdue VIPs in Purdue's TFO program.
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Editor's Note: On April 27, The Exponent filed a public information request for the flight logs of the three planes used to transport Purdue VIPs for the period of Jan 1, 2008 to date. This is the first in a five-part series examining the University's use of these aircraft.
Purdue president France Córdova has requested an estimated $370,500 in University flights from Jan. 1, 2008, to April 30, 2009.
Córdova requested 156 flights for purposes including alumni gatherings, board meetings and public appearances. As a Turbine Flight Operation primary user, the president is authorized to use the aircraft as much as necessary as well as sign off for others to use the aircraft.
All flight requests by the president must be approved by the business office.
Along with the Board of Trustees, Córdova is in the top category meaning her requests take precedent over all other users.
FLIGHT BREAKDOWN
Of Córdova’s flights, several were flown to destinations fewer than 120 miles from Purdue’s campus. A number of those flights were to Indianapolis, Ind., which is about 90 miles from West Lafayette, Ind.
Córdova said time constraints are one of the reasons short flights are often taken. She recalls two flights in which time constraints proved to be problematic.
“To save time, we flew down to Indianapolis and drove to Martinsville where I gave an evening speech to Mikey’s Camp, which raises money for Indiana charities,” she said. “The other occurrence was an all-day community visit to Hamilton County when similar time constraints on my schedule and others made the flight a necessity.
“The timing of my first meeting meant we could either fly for 30 minutes or be late for my talk.”
April 25, 2008, a flight was taken to Gary, Ind., which is also about 90 miles from West Lafayette, Ind. There were four passengers on the flight including Córdova; her husband, Chris Foster; and guests Prince Cedza and Hildred Rochon.
The purpose of the trip was to attend a Purdue Black Alumni Organization at Navy Pier in Chicago, and they avoided hotel cost by returning after event.
The flight of the shortest distance took place on July 23, 2008. On that day Córdova and then interim vice president of government relations Vic Lechtenberg flew 118 miles from Purdue to Fort Wayne, Ind. to meet Indiana legislators Sen. David Long, R-Fort Wayne, and Rep. Win Moses, D-District 81, and Dan Leonard, R-District 50. From there Córdova and Lechtenberg were driven to Huntington, Ind. When the pilot asked the president if the plane could fly from Fort Wayne to Huntington to pick them up to enable the student copilot to get more experience, Córdova agreed to the 15-mile flight. The plane then flew from Huntington back to Purdue’s campus.
March 21, 2009, Córdova and five passengers flew to Chattanooga, Tenn. to attend the women’s basketball NCAA tournament. Passengers and their positions as listed on the flight logs are Chris Foster, first gentleman; Jeff Bolin and Christy Sahley, both faculty representatives; and Carol Post and Don Ready, both volunteers.
FREQUENT FLIERS
A majority of flights requested by Córdova included two or more passengers.
Jim Almond, senior vice president of business services and assistant treasurer, forwarded a Feb. 6 memo outlining the rules of guests and aircraft use. According to the memo, spouses and guests can fly “if they are acting in the role of official University volunteers on Purdue-related business.”
Córdova’s husband and K-12 stem program director, Chris Foster, has flown on 61 out of the 156 flights requested by the president. Jan. 22, 2008, Foster flew with four other passengers to Las Vegas, Nev., and then to Palo Alto, Cal., to attend “Purdue on the Road activities.”
March 21, 2009, Foster flew to Chattanooga, Tenn. with five other passengers to attend the women’s basketball NCAA tournament.
As director of STEM education, Foster said he works to take campus research to other schools in Indiana. He said he travels to support the president as well as meet with alumni and donors.
“In this other role for Purdue as ‘First Gentleman,’ I support the president in a variety of venues,” Foster said. “In particular, I appear at dinners, receptions, sporting events and other social events with alumni, donors, political leaders and others. Many are scheduled elsewhere and may require air travel to arrive where the people and events are located. Since we usually host these events, I am expected to be there.
“Based on my work at previous universities, I knew that this job would require travel when I signed on.”
BOARD MEETINGS
Planes are also used by Córdova for board meetings outside of her responsibilities at Purdue, including her place on the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Institute Board of Regents. The Board of Trustees approves all of the president’s board appointments.
Each board reimburses Purdue for a portion of the expenses, and the University covers the rest of the costs, Córdova said.
“I usually connect with alumni, donors and other stake holders on those trips as well,” she said. “Making the most effective use of my time is the key.”
Out of the 156 flights requested by Córdova, at least 23 were taken for outside board meetings.
Córdova said the aircraft allows her to meet with people around the state and country but allows her get back to campus for other functions.
“Much of the job of Purdue president is meeting with University supporters, business and government leaders and alumni, all of whom have important business with Purdue, business that often also helps Purdue,” she said. “The demands on the time and attention of any University president are such that efficiencies like the use of the Purdue fleet are needed to be successful.”