Approved

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes of the Regular Session

of

Thursday-Friday, December 14-15, 2006

 

 

A regular session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday and Friday, December 14-15, 2006, in the Cohodas Administrative Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602 Cohodas, at 3:00 p.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           Douglas B. Roberts

      Samuel S. Benedict                                               Jon G. LaSalle             Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

 

Senior staff present included:

 

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

      R. Gavin Leach, Associate V.P. for Finance and Planning

      Catherine Dehlin, University General 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 3:05 p.m. on December 14, 2006, 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.

 

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

 

                                         Aye                                    Nay

 

                                    Mr. Ackerman

Mr. Benedict

                                    Mr. Cloyd

                                    Mr. Inman

                                    Mr. LaSalle

                                    Ms. Lukens

                                    Dr. Roberts

                                    Mr. Weber

                                                                                    None

 

The resolution was thus approved unanimously.

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 3:02 p.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting on Friday, December 15, 2006, at 1:03 p.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 (via conf call at 1:35pm)        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

      Catherine Dehlin, University General Counsel

 

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

 

Chair Weber said that Trustee Emeritus Gil Ziegler has requested the opportunity to make a presentation which will be scheduled during the May 2007 Board meeting.

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT MIDYEAR COMMENCEMENT

 

Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment William Bernard introduced Mr. Jeremy D. Brown from Hopkins, Michigan, who will represent the graduating class at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow.  He is graduating with a major in history and a minor in speech communication.  On behalf of the Board, Chair Weber congratulated Mr. Brown and presented him with a plaque.  A photo was taken. 

 

 

ASNMU REPORT

 

Mr. Erik Maillard, ASNMU President, reported on the activities of the student government. (Addendum #1). 

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Wong presented his report, with a focus on a recent trip to China by a delegation from NMU (Addendum #2).    

 

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

 

The Board presented a resolution to NMU First Lady Phyllis Wong, in appreciation for her service.  Chair Weber presented Mrs. Wong with a bouquet of roses and a photo was taken. 

 

The Board took action on the resolution as follows:

 

It was moved by Ms. Lukens, seconded by Mr. Benedict, and supported unanimously by the Board to adopt the following resolution in appreciation of the work of NMU First Lady Phyllis Wong:

 

R E S O L U T I O N

from the

Northern Michigan University

Board of Trustees

to

Phyllis M. Wong

 

Whereas, Phyllis M. Wong has served as First Lady of Northern Michigan University since July 1 2004; and

 

Whereas, she has made significant and positive contributions through many hours spent augmenting the good will of the University and generally supporting its mission; and

 

Whereas, she has reached out to students, faculty and staff, alumni and friends, the community, and the Board of Trustees with genuine friendship and an open heart; and

 

Whereas, she has become an important member of the Northern Michigan University family and a welcome addition to the Upper Peninsula community; therefore be it

 

Resolved, that we, the members of the Board of Trustees, commend Mrs. Wong for her significant contributions to Northern Michigan University and acknowledge her important role in support of the University.

 

Adopted this 15th day of December 2006, at Marquette, Michigan.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Academic Affairs

 

Ms. Lukens reported on the Academic Affairs Committee meeting held this morning (Addendum #3). 

 

Finance

 

Dr. Roberts reported on the Finance Committee meeting held this morning (Addendum #4). 

 

Executive

 

Mr. Benedict reported on the Executive Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #5).  Discussion followed.  In response to recommendations from the Executive Committee, the Board took the following actions:

 

It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Ms. Lukens, and supported unanimously by the Board to authorize expenditure of up to $200,000 for Phase 1 architectural, mechanical and electrical renovations at Kaye House, the President's Residence. 

 

It was noted that Kaye House has not been seriously updated for 25 years. 

 

It was moved by Mr. LaSalle, seconded by Mr. Cloyd, and supported unanimously by the Board to accept the 2006-2007 Presidential Goals focusing on 1) Curriculum for the 21st Century; 2) Enrollment increases; 3) Strategy to address anticipated state funding issues; and 4) Fundraising. 

 

It was noted that the Presidential Goals are over and above the expected performance level and are intended to be a challenge to meet, i.e. stretch objectives. 

 

 

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2007

 

Chair-elect Lukens announced that the recommended 2007 NMU Board of Trustees Standing Committee Appointments are included the formals (Formal Recommendation F-1).  The appointments are as follows:

 

2007 NMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES STANDING COMMITTEES

 

Academic Affairs                    Finance                                     Executive

 

Jon G. LaSalle, Chair                Douglas B. Roberts, Chair        Samuel S. Benedict, Chair

Brian D. Cloyd                         Alan T. Ackerman                     Brian D. Cloyd

Larry C. Inman                         Samuel S. Benedict                   Douglas B. Roberts

Karl A. Weber                           Larry C. Inman                         Mary C. Lukens, ex officio

Mary C. Lukens, ex officio       Mary C. Lukens, ex officio       Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

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

 

Chair-elect Lukens also announced her ex officio appointments to the NMU Foundation Board of Trustees for calendar year 2007.  They are:  Brian D. Cloyd and Jon G. LaSalle. 

 

 

PRESENTATIONS TO RETIRING TRUSTEES

 

Chair-elect Lukens made presentations to retiring trustees Karl Weber and Larry Inman on behalf of the Board acknowledging their service to Northern Michigan University.  She referred to Board resolutions honoring Mr. Weber and Mr. Inman, which are included in the formal recommendations.  Chair Weber and Vice Chair Inman responded, expressing their appreciation for the experience of serving on the Board.  Photos were taken. 

 

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS 

 

The Board took the following action regarding the Formal Recommendations:  (Backup)

 

            It was moved by Ms. Lukens, seconded by Mr. Cloyd, 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 22-23, 2007, MEETING OF THE BOARD

 

President Wong made this announcement for the public record. 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

President Wong announced that the estate of Trustee Emeritus James Malsack included a bequest to NMU of $100,000 to endow a scholarship.  Mr. Malsack served on the Board from July 1977 until April 1989.

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting for a break at 2:15 p.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 2:33 p.m.

 

 

FOCUS DISCUSSION  (Addendum #6)

 

Legislative Update:  NMU Lobbyist David Haynes gave a legislative update.  He responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

 

Proposal 2 Update:  NMU General Counsel Cathy Dehlin gave an update on Proposal 2.  She responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

 

Financial Aid Models:  Mr. Bill Bernard, Associate VP for Institutional Research Paul Duby, Financial Aid Director Mike Rotundo – assisted by Admissions Director Gerri Daniels, Mr. Gavin Leach, Communications Director Cindy Paavola, and Dr. Mike Roy – reported on NMU's financial aid model and how financial aid assists in student recruitment and retention.  They responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Weber adjourned the meeting at 3:48 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Pamalene R. Grundstrom

Secretary of the Board