Approved

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes of the Regular Session

of

Thursday-Friday, December 15-16, 2005

 

 

A regular session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday and Friday, December 15-16, 2005, in the Cohodas Administrative Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened in the Sixth Floor Conference Room, 604 Cohodas, at 11:55 a.m. by Chair Karl A. Weber.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                                            Brian D. Cloyd           Mary C. Lukens

      Alan T. Ackerman (via conference call)               Larry C. Inman           Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

      Samuel S. Benedict                                               Jon G. LaSalle

 

The Trustee absent for this session only was Douglas B. Roberts.                

 

Senior staff 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

 

 

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 11:35 a.m. on December 15, 2005, 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.

 

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

 

                                         Aye                                    Nay

 

                                    Mr. Ackerman

Mr. Benedict

                                    Mr. Cloyd

                                    Mr. Inman

                                    Mr. LaSalle

                                    Ms. Lukens

                                    Mr. Weber

                                                                        None

 

The resolution was thus approved unanimously.

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 11:57 a.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting on Friday, December 16, 2005, at 8:32 a.m. in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602 Cohodas.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                                Brian D. Cloyd                       Mary C. Lukens

      Alan T. Ackerman                                     Larry C. Inman                       Douglas B. Roberts

      Samuel S. Benedict                                   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, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal Counsel

 

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

 

Ms. Grundstrom reported that there were no requests to address the Board. 

 

 

FOCUS DISCUSSION 

 

NMU Foundation:  Future Plans  (Addendum #1)

 

NMU Foundation Executive Director Martha Van Der Kamp and Director of Foundation Operations Amy Silk made a presentation on future plans for the Foundation.  They responded to comments and questions from Trustees.  Following the report and discussion of the proposed funding plan for the next capital campaign, the Board took action as follows:

 

It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Mr. LaSalle, and supported unanimously by the Board to provide one-time funds in the amount of $200,000 per year for two years, beginning in 2006, to cover one-third of the cost of new positions in the NMU Foundation Office in support of our next capital campaign. 

 

Public Television:  Annual Report and Digitalization Update  (Addendum #1)

 

Director of Broadcast and Audio Visual Services Eric Smith noted that the public broadcasting audited annual report has been completed and is available in the Office of the Secretary of the Board.  He also presented an update on plans to digitalize the NMU public broadcasting operation.  He responded to comments and questions from Trustees. 

 

NCAA Update  (Addendum #1A)

 

President Wong introduced the new NMU Men’s Head Football Coach, Bernie Anderson, to the Board noting that he is an NMU alum, ’78 and ‘89. 

 

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Godfrey gave a status report on the NCAA athletic program at Northern.  He responded to comments and questions from Trustees. 

 

Funding/Formula Discussion (continued)  (Addendum #1)

 

Associate Vice President for Finance and Planning Gavin Leach presented a report on comparative revenue and costs for NMU.  He responded to questions and comments from Trustees.  Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Terry Seethoff reported on academic costs, including compensation, productivity, unit cost of instruction, faculty mix, and demographics.  He responded to questions and comments from Trustees.  Dr. Roy and Mr. Leach concluded the Focus Discussion with an update on the role of financial aid at NMU.  They responded to questions and comments from Trustees.

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting for a break at 10:50 a.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 11:05 a.m.

 

 

MEMORIAL TO STUDENT

 

Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment, Mr. Bill Bernard, presented a memorial for NMU Student James Wieser, a senior psychology major who was killed in an automobile accident on November 23.  His family will receive his diploma as he had earned enough credits to graduate.  The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in his memory.

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF SISTER CITY SCHOLAR

 

Director of International Studies John Weting introduced Ms. Yuuka Sano, Sister City Scholar.  Ms. Sano made a presentation and thanked the Board for the opportunity to participate in the Sister City Scholar program.  A photo was taken with Ms. Sano, President Wong, and Chair Weber.

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT MIDYEAR COMMENCEMENT

 

Mr. William Bernard introduced Ms. Shannon Butryn from Escanaba, who will represent the graduating class at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow.  She is graduating cum laude with a double major in secondary education, English and Social Studies.  On behalf of the Board, Chair Weber congratulated Ms. Butryn and presented her with a plaque.  A photo was taken. 

 

 

ASNMU REPORT

 

Ms. Michelle Cox, ASNMU President, reported on the activities of the student government. (Addendum #2). 

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Wong presented his report, with a focus on faculty excellence (Addendum #3).  He also introduced Northern’s new equal opportunity officer, Catherine Dehlin, to the Board and reported on the Provost Search, noting that a search advisory committee was appointed and has held its first meeting.  The executive search firm A.T. Kearney will assist in the search. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Academic Affairs

 

Ms. Lukens reported on the Academic Affairs Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #4). 

 

Finance

 

Dr. Roberts reported on the Finance Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #5). 

 

Executive

 

Mr. Benedict reported on the Executive Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #6).  The committee recommended to the full Board that an architectural firm be hired to conduct a facility review of Kaye House.  Following discussion, the Board took the following action:

 

It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Dr. Roberts, and supported unanimously by the Board to hire an architectural firm to conduct a facility review of Kaye House to get an estimate of the minimum requirements of what needs to be done to bring it up to current standards.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2006

 

Chair Weber announced that the recommended 2006 NMU Board of Trustees Standing Committee Appointments are included the formals (Formal Recommendation F-1).  The appointments are as follows:

 

2006 NMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES STANDING COMMITTEES

 

Academic Affairs               Finance                                     Executive

 

Mary C. Lukens, Chair        Douglas B. Roberts, Chair        Samuel S. Benedict, Chair

Brian D. Cloyd                    Alan T. Ackerman                     Larry C. Inman

Larry C. Inman                    Samuel S. Benedict                   Mary C. Lukens

Jon G. LaSalle                     Larry C. Inman                          Karl A. Weber, ex officio

Karl A. Weber, ex officio    Karl A. Weber, ex officio         Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

         Leslie E. Wong, ex officio   Leslie E. Wong, ex officio        Douglas B. Roberts, alternate 

 

Chair Weber also announced his ex officio appointments to the NMU Foundation Board of Trustees for calendar year 2006.  They are:  Brian D. Cloyd, Larry C. Inman, and Jon G. LaSalle. 

 

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS  (Backup)

 

The Board took the following action regarding the Formal Recommendations:

 

            It was moved by Ms. Lukens, seconded by Mr. LaSalle, 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 23-24, 2006, MEETING OF THE BOARD

 

President Wong made this announcement for the public record. 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

The Board discussed the possibility of designating the February 2006 Board meeting as a retreat.  It was noted that the Funding/Formula Discussion is scheduled to be concluded in February.  Other topics for discussion could include:  the faculty mix, and policy review in light of the legislative session.  Chair Weber said we will discuss the location of the meeting once we determine if it is to be designated as a retreat. 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Weber adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Pamalene R. Grundstrom

Secretary of the Board