Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Special Formal Session
of
A special formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Monday, May 18, 2020, in Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 5:18 p.m. via Zoom Video Conference, by Chair Steven M. Mitchell.
Note: The meeting was livestreamed on YouTube at: https://bit.ly/2UeD5Ex.
Trustees present included:
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Mr. Steven M. Mitchell, Chair |
Ms. Donna L. Murray-Brown |
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Ms. Lisa I. Fittante |
Ms. Tami M. Seavoy, Vice Chair |
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Ms. Alexis M. Hart |
Mr. Stephen E. Young |
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Mr. James K. Haveman |
Dr. Fritz J Erickson, ex officio |
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Mr. Robert E. Mahaney |
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Senior Staff and Counsel present included:
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Mr. Brad Canale, Chief Executive Officer – NMU Foundation |
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Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees |
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Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs |
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Dr. Steven VandenAvond, Vice President for Extended Learning and Community Engagement |
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Ms. Deanna Hemmila, Executive Director – Board/Government Relations |
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Ms. Cathy A. Andrew, Secretary of the Board of Trustees |
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Mr. Michael Bath, Chief of Police / Director of Safety |
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Dr. Christine Greer, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students |
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Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel |
ROLL CALL
Secretary Andrew took roll call of the Trustees and noted that a quorum was met with all Trustees being present.
MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Haveman, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported by a vote of 8 – 0, to approve the agenda as written.
INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
There were none.
Chair Mitchell noted that the five-day window in our Bylaws to request to address the Board was waived for this special meeting to allow individuals the opportunity to make a request.
ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Seavoy and seconded by Trustee Fittante to approve the Formal Recommendations. (Addendum #1)
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
Aye Nay
Lisa I. Fittante
Alexis M. Hart
James K. Haveman
Robert E. Mahaney
Steven M. Mitchell
Donna Murray-Brown
Tami M. Seavoy
Stephen E. Young
FALL 2020 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
President Erickson reported that he asked the Executive Leadership of the Academic Senate and Provost Schuiling to investigate the possibility of starting our fall semester one week earlier than our normal practice with the goal of completing the semester prior to Thanksgiving. President Erickson said he is bringing the following calendar change request to the Board for their consideration: The semester will begin on Monday, August 17 and conclude before Thanksgiving.
Trustee Seavoy asked if there was any concern about the pressure this change might put on NMU systems to get grades reported timely as it was named from the committee that there may be some timing constraints. President Erickson said there is that possibility but the university will make whatever adjustments are needed in terms of being able to allow faculty to complete grades in a timely fashion. They will be able to submit those grades and leave after Thanksgiving, which is not an uncommon practice to have grades the week following the conclusion of the semester.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Seavoy and seconded by Trustee Young that Northern Michigan University adjust its fall 2020 academic calendar to begin classes on Monday, August 17, 2020 and ending Tuesday, November 24, 2020. This meets all state and federal regulations of fifteen (15) weeks of instructional activity.
Discussion followed:
Trustee Hart said she believes this is the right strategy and an additional precaution with students leaving over the Thanksgiving break and not having them come back right after for a shortened period of time. She applauds the decision and believes it is the right thing to do ensuring the safety of our students.
Chair Mitchell said this is one of a number of steps that we’re taking to assure that the start of school in the fall is as safe as possible. We will have a number of other safety protocols we will be introducing as the time gets closer. He said he believes this is the right thing to do and meets the criteria of trying to open as safely as possible just by starting a week earlier and getting classes out so students don’t have to come back to campus after Thanksgiving.
Vice Chair Seavoy said the group that got together did a very thorough job in considering all of the aspects of changing the calendar – she appreciates the hard work that went into this process.
Chair Mitchell said he is very impressed. He spoke to President Erickson about the work that is being done, the task forces that have been established to ensure we will have a safe opening, and is very impressed by all of the tasks that are being accomplished.
Being no further discussion, Chair Mitchell called the vote.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
Aye Nay
Lisa I. Fittante
Alexis M. Hart
James K. Haveman
Robert E. Mahaney
Steven M. Mitchell
Donna Murray-Brown
Tami M. Seavoy
Stephen E. Young
It was moved by Trustee Hart, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Chair Mitchell adjourned the meeting at 5:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/signed/ Cathy A. Andrew
Secretary of the Board of Trustees