Approved

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes of the Regular Session

of

Thursday-Friday, August 4-5, 2005

 

 

A regular session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday and Friday, August 4-5, 2005, in the Hedgcock Building, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Resource Room, 3301 Hedgcock, by Chair Karl A. Weber.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                     Samuel S. Benedict                   Douglas B. Roberts

      Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair             Brian D. Cloyd                         Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

      Alan T. Ackerman                          Mary C. Lukens

 

The Trustee absent for this portion of the meeting was Jon G. LaSalle

 

Senior staff and counsel present included:

 

      Michael J. Roy, V.P. for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board

      Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board

      Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

      Kurt N. Sherwood, representing Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Counsel

     

 

CLOSED SESSION AUTHORIZATION

 

President Wong presented the following recommendation:

 

It is recommended that the following resolution relative to holding a closed session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University be approved:

 

RESOLVED, that the Board shall meet in Closed Session at 2:35 p.m., on August 4, 2005, pursuant to Section 8 of the Open Meetings Act:

 

To consider a periodic personnel evaluation of a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, if the named person requests a closed hearing;

 

To consider matters connected with the strategy and/or negotiation of its collective bargaining agreements;

 

To consider the purchase or lease of real property on which the University does not hold an option;

 

To consult with the attorney for the University on matters relating to pending litigation, it being the opinion of the Board that consideration of such matters in an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigation and/or settlement position of the University;

 

To consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.

 

Ms. Lukens moved that the resolution be approved.  It was supported by Mr. Inman.  On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:

 

                                         Aye                         Nay

 

                                    Mr. Ackerman

                                    Mr. Benedict

                                    Mr. Cloyd

                                    Mr. Inman

                                    Ms. Lukens

                                    Dr. Roberts

                                    Mr. Weber

                                                                        None

 

The resolution was thus approved unanimously.

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 2:32 p.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 3:42 p.m.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                                 Samuel S. Benedict                   Mary C. Lukens

      Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair                         Brian D. Cloyd                         Douglas B. Roberts

      Alan T. Ackerman                                      Jon G. LaSalle                          Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

 

Senior staff and counsel present included:

 

      Michael J. Roy, V.P. for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board

      Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board

      Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

      Kurt N. Sherwood, representing Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Counsel

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF DEAN OF THE WALKER L. CISLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

 

Provost Fred Joyal introduced Dr. Rajib Sanyal, new Dean of the Walker L. Cisler College of Business.  Dr. Sanyal said that he is pleased to be at Northern and looks forward to working with the Board in the future.   

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF AD HOC NOMINATING COMMITTEE

 

Chair Weber announced the appointments to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee as follows:

 

            Chair:               Alan T. Ackerman

            Members:         Mary C. Lukens and Samuel S. Benedict

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Executive

 

Mr. Benedict, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on meetings held on May 6, 2005, and on August 4, 2005.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #1)  

 

Based on recommendations from the Executive Committee, the Board then took the following action:

 

It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Mr. LaSalle, and supported unanimously by the Board to approve President Wong's incentive payout for 2004-2005, his incentive goals for 2005-2006, and his contract modifications as recommended by the Executive Committee. 

 

Following this Board action, Chair Weber complimented President Wong on his first year of service at Northern, stating that he has done a wonderful job during difficult times.  Chair Weber's colleagues on the Board echoed his comments.  President Wong thanked the Board for their confidence and he thanked his colleagues on the faculty and staff for their hard work and support. 

 

Finance

 

Dr. Roberts, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held today.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #2) 

 

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING SCHEDULE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2006

 

The Board discussed the proposed meeting schedule for calendar year 2006.  Due to possible conflicts, the proposed schedule will be removed from the Formal Recommendations for this meeting and will be addressed at the Board's October meeting. 

 

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS

 

            It was moved by Ms. Lukens, seconded by Mr. Benedict, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations as amended.  (Backup)

 

            (Formal Recommendation F-1, NMU Board of Trustees 2006 Meeting Schedule, was removed.)  

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2005, MEETING OF THE BOARD

 

President Wong made this announcement for the public record. 

 

 

RETREAT SESSION:  STRATEGIC CHALLENGES – PIECES OF THE PUZZLE

 

1.  The "Gap"

 

Dr. Mike Roy and Associate Vice President for Finance and Planning Gavin Leach led a discussion of the challenges related to the "gap" in appropriation per FYES between NMU and peer Michigan institutions.  Dr. Roy and Mr. Leach responded to questions and comments from Trustees.  Discussion followed and the Board asked the Administration to prepare several "what if" scenarios for NMU's financial picture, to be discussed during future meetings, beginning with the October Board meeting. 

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 5:02 p.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting on Friday, August 5, 2005, at 8:35 a.m.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                                 Samuel S. Benedict       Mary C. Lukens

      Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair                      Brian D. Cloyd           Douglas B. Roberts

      Alan T. Ackerman  (morning session)         Jon G. LaSalle              Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

 

Senior staff and counsel present included:

 

      Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board

      Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

      Michael J. Roy, V.P. for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board

      Kurt N. Sherwood, representing Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Counsel

 

 

RETREAT SESSION:  STRATEGIC CHALLENGES – PIECES OF THE PUZZLE (continued)

 

1.  The "Gap" (continued)

 

The Board concluded its discussion with Dr. Roy and Mr. Leach of state funding issues.  President Wong reminded Trustees and the administration will present "what if" scenarios for NMU's financial picture, to be discussed during future meetings, beginning with the October Board meeting.

 

Dr. Roberts made a presentation on his personal review of Northern Michigan University and state appropriations.  He presented his assessment of the issues we face and offered ideas for ways to work with the state to resolve those issues.  Board members thanked Dr. Roberts for his presentation and expressed an interest in continuing the discussion of ways to work with the state to resolve funding issues while growing enrollment, containing costs, and continuing to offer quality programs and services to our students. 

 

NMU Lobbyist David Haynes gave a legislative update and discussed issues facing higher education in Lansing.  He outlined our strategy to work with state leaders to resolve these issues for Northern.  He responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

 

2.  Enrollment

 

Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment Bill Bernard and Associate Vice President for Institutional Research Paul Duby led an enrollment discussion, focusing on current and projected enrollment levels and recruitment efforts.  Director of Communications Cindy Paavola reviewed marketing efforts related to student recruitment.  Ms. Paavola, Mr. Bernard, and Dr. Duby responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 11:27 a.m.  (Trustee Ackerman departed at this time.)

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 12:31 p.m. 

 

 

RETREAT SESSION:  STRATEGIC CHALLENGES – PIECES OF THE PUZZLE (continued)

 

3.  Programs

 

Dr. Joyal, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Cynthia Prosen, and Director of Broadcast and A/V Services Eric Smith made a presentation and led a discussion on programs, focusing on future areas of growth in on-line delivery in the areas of continuing education and graduate education, and initiatives (Superior Edge and Internationalization, TLC, WNMU-TV, and USOEC).  The Trustees reaffirmed their intention to conclude discussion on WNMU-TV during the October meeting.  Dr. Joyal, Dr. Prosen, and Mr. Smith responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

 

4.  Grants and Giving

 

Executive Director of the NMU Foundation Martha Van Der Kamp gave a update on NMU Foundation activities and made a presentation on opportunities for private gift support.  Discussion followed and Ms. Van Der Kamp responded to questions and comments from Trustees.  Dr. Cynthia Prosen led a discussion on future directions for NMU in the area of grant procurement and research opportunities.  Dr. Prosen responded to questions and comments from Trustees.  President Wong announced that an upcoming reorganization will place Continuing Education under Dr. Prosen's direction. 

 

 

RETREAT WRAP-UP DISCUSSION

 

President Wong summarized, stating that the puzzle pieces discussed during the retreat – The Gap, Enrollment, Programs, and Grants and Giving – are the challenges and opportunities that we face in charting Northern's future directions. 

 

Discussion followed and Chair Weber asked the staff to run models for discussion at the October 2005 Board meeting.  He suggested a model that would limit tuition growth to the level of inflation versus moving tuition toward the average of our state peers.  The Board discussed that as a technique, we could consider the extremes in order to look at the consequences and options of the decisions we must make; i.e. if we adopt an inflation tuition policy, what are the repercussions to our ability to maintain/improve academic quality.  The Board also discussed the idea of increasing our focus on research and the implications of moving in that direction. 

 

Trustees proposed and discussed several ideas that have come to mind during the retreat discussions: 

1) Passing savings on to students if our budget is not reduced as we have assumed in our financial planning and tuition; 2) Starting a "Recruiters' Club" for alumni who recruit new students to Northern; 3) Pursuing further development of models based on Dr. Roberts' presentation; 4) Building Foundation support to help offset budget reductions; and 5) Identifying our vision for NMU and how we will move the university in that direction. 

 

President Wong summarized what the staff will prepare for a focus discussion at the October Board meeting:  "What if" scenarios on 1) holding tuition at inflation – what are the ripple effects; 2) addressing questions of size – what is our capacity on campus, what is the optimum size and at what point do we limit further growth; 3) increasing our emphasis on research – what are the implications; and 4) relating all of these factors to our vision for the future of Northern. 

 

Chair Weber thanked everyone who participated in the Retreat discussions.  President Wong expressed his appreciation for the work of staff, both on campus and in Lansing in recent months.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Weber adjourned the meeting at 3:04 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Pamalene R. Grundstrom

Secretary of the Board