Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Regular Session
of
A regular session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday and Friday, December 11 and 12, 2003, in the Cohodas Administrative Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 9:35 a.m. Thursday in the Sixth Floor Conference Room, 604 Cohodas, by Chair Mary L. Campbell.
Trustees present included:
Mary L. Campbell, Chair
Karl A. Weber, Vice Chair
Samuel S. Benedict
Scott L. Holman
Larry C. Inman
Mary C. Lukens
Douglas B. Roberts
Michael J. Roy, ex officio
The Trustee absent during the Thursday sessions was Alan T. Ackerman
Senior staff and counsel present included:
R. Gavin Leach, Acting Chief Financial Officer 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
David S. Haynes, University Lobbyist
CLOSED SESSION AUTHORIZATION
President Roy 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 12:15 p.m., on December 11, 2003, pursuant to Section 8 of the Open Meetings Act:
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.
Aye Nay
Mr. Benedict
Ms. Campbell
Mr. Holman
Mr. Inman
Ms. Lukens
Dr. Roberts
Mr. Weber
None
The resolution was thus approved unanimously.
IN MEMORIUM
Provost Joyal read a tribute to three members of the university community who passed away recently: Ms. Jessica Urbis, an NMU nursing student; Mrs. Ruth Erickson, wife of Chemistry Lab Supervisor David Erickson; and Dr. Thomas Hruska, Professor of English. Dr. Joyal said that an Associate's Degree will be awarded posthumously to Ms. Urbis. All present observed a moment of silence in memory of these individuals.
FOCUS DISCUSSION I: MARKETING/RECRUITMENT/ENROLLMENT
Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment Bill Bernard, Director of Admissions Gerri Daniels, Associate Vice President for Institutional Research Paul Duby, and Director of Marketing Brian Zinser continued a presentation and discussion on marketing, recruitment and enrollment that began during the October Board meeting (Addendum #1). Mr. Bernard presented a Fall 2004 enrollment report, noting that freshmen applications are up 21.4 percent over this time last year, admits are up 21.6 percent, and active admits are up 22.2 percent. Dr. Duby reported that the fall 2003 undergraduate enrollment is the highest in our history. The presenters responded to questions and comments from Trustees.
Chair Campbell recessed the meeting at 12:12 p.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Campbell reconvened the meeting at 2:15 p.m.
FOCUS DISCUSSION II: BUDGET
President Roy, Dr. Joyal and Mr. Leach presented budget reduction alternatives to address the expected state appropriation cut (Addendum #2) (Additional Backup). Discussion followed. The Trustees agreed to think over the several budget reduction alternatives that have been presented and to take action when the Board reconvenes on Friday.
Chair Campbell recessed the meeting at 3:57 p.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Campbell reconvened the meeting on Friday, December 12, at 11:30 a.m.
Trustees present included:
Mary L. Campbell, Chair
Karl A. Weber, Vice Chair
Alan T. Ackerman
Samuel S. Benedict
Scott L. Holman
Larry C. Inman
Mary C. Lukens
Douglas B. Roberts
Michael J. Roy, ex officio
Senior staff and counsel present included:
R. Gavin Leach, Acting Chief Financial Officer 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
David S. Haynes, University Lobbyist
Thomas P. Hustoles, University Attorney
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT MIDYEAR COMMENCEMENT
Mr. William Bernard introduced Ms. Elizabeth Koski who will represent the graduating class at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow. She is graduating with a major in Political Science with a pre-law emphasis. On behalf of the Board, Chair Campbell congratulated Ms. Koski and presented her with a plaque and photos were taken.
Ms. Grundstrom said there have been no requests to address the Board.
Mr. Kyle Ortiz, President of ASNMU, reported to the Board. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3).
PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH UPDATE
Chair Campbell and Mr. Benedict gave an update on the presidential search, noting that the Presidential Search Advisory Committee has reviewed the results of the Board of Trustees survey and the ASNMU survey on desired presidential qualities and characteristics and the results are consistent with the position specification document the committee developed for the search. Mr. Benedict said the search committee has reviewed the credentials of 28 individuals from a total pool of 70 and has identified 11 qualified candidates at this time. Screening will continue and the committee would like to begin interviewing toward the end of January with a goal of bringing approximately five names to the Board in February.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Roy presented the President's Report. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #4).
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Affairs
Mr. Weber, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held this morning. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #5).
Mr. Benedict, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held this morning. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #6). The following recommendation came out of the committee meeting:
It was moved by Mr. Weber, seconded by Ms. Campbell, and supported unanimously by the Board that the firm of Andrews, Hooper, and Pavlik P.L.C. be engaged as NMU's external auditors for the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
BUDGET REDUCTIONS
Chair Campbell said at this time she would entertain discussion and/or a recommendation regarding the proposed budget reductions which were discussed during yesterday's Focus Discussion. The following motion was made:
It was moved by Mr. Ackerman and supported by Mr. Benedict to approve the winter 2004 tuition and fee rates included in Option 4 of the proposed budget reductions.
Discussion followed and several trustees spoke in favor of this recommendation, noting that the Board voted to raise tuition 6.9 percent effective fall 2003, keeping the option open for an additional increase in the event of further appropriation reductions. The average fall tuition increase in the State for fall 2003 was 9.9 percent. Trustees reported that feedback received from students and parents indicates a general understanding of the need to consider a tuition increase at midyear along with budget reductions to offset state appropriation cuts. The Trustees then took the following action on the above recommendation:
The Board unanimously supported the recommendation to approve the winter 2004 tuition and fee rates included in Option 4 of the proposed budget reductions (Addendum #7).
APPOINTMENTS OF TRUSTEES TO STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2004
Chair Campbell proposed the following Board standing committee memberships for calendar year 2004. Also included in the Formals is a recommendation to revise the Standing Committee Charges to allow three or four members to serve on the Academic Affairs and Finance Committees (See Formal Recommendations F-1 and F-2).
Academic Affairs Finance Executive
Karl A. Weber, Chair Samuel S. Benedict, Chair Scott L. Holman, Chair
Alan T. Ackerman Scott L. Holman Mary C. Lukens
Samuel S. Benedict Larry C. Inman Karl A. Weber
Mary C. Lukens Douglas B. Roberts Mary L. Campbell, ex officio
Mary L. Campbell, ex officio Mary L. Campbell, ex officio Michael J. Roy, ex officio
Michael J. Roy, ex officio Michael J. Roy, ex officio Samuel S. Benedict, alternate
APPOINTMENTS OF TRUSTEES TO SERVE ON THE DEVELOPMENT FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2004
Chair Campbell announced that the following Board members will serve as ex officio members of the NMU Development Fund Board of Trustees for calendar year 2004.
Alan Ackerman
Scott Holman
Larry Inman
Chair Campbell announced that included in the Formal Recommendations is a proposal to change the date of the Board's 2004 Annual Retreat from February 19-20 to February 12-13 and to hold the Retreat in Ann Arbor (See Formal Recommendation F-5).
It was moved by Mr. Holman, seconded by Ms. Lukens, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12-13, 2004, ANNUAL RETREAT OF THE BOARD
President Roy made this announcement for the public record.
Chair Campbell recessed the meeting at 12:23 p.m.
Trustee Alan Ackerman departed at this time.
RECONVENE
Chair Campbell reconvened the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
DISCUSSION ON TECHNOLOGY WITH DR. GARY R. BERTOLINE
NMU Alum and Midyear Commencement Speaker Dr. Gary R. Bertoline '74, made a presentation and led a discussion with the Board on new uses of Technology (Addendum #8).
FOLLOW UP ON FOCUS DISCUSSIONS: BUDGET/RECRUITMENT ISSUES
No further discussion was necessary.
Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Pamalene R. Grundstrom
Secretary of the Board