Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Annual Retreat
of
The Annual Retreat of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday-Friday, February 12-13, 2004, in the Campus Inn, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Retreat was convened at 10:22 a.m. Thursday by Chair Mary Campbell.
Trustees present included:
Mary L. Campbell, Chair
Karl A. Weber, Vice Chair
Alan T. Ackerman
Samuel S. Benedict
Scott L. Holman
Mary C. Lukens
Douglas B. Roberts (joined the Retreat at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday)
Michael J. Roy, ex officio
The Trustee absent was Larry C. Inman
Vice Presidents/Board staff present included:
Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board;
R. Gavin Leach, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Board; and
Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Addendum #1 – Retreat Power Point Presentation
QUESTION #1 - Are we progressing towards our vision? How do we measure?
President Roy presented the NMU Mission and Vision Statements as an introduction to discussion of how we are progressing towards our goals. The Board reviewed measurement of progress towards goals through discussion with President Roy and Dr. Joyal of the following questions: 1) What does it mean to be a university of choice; 2) Is NMU offering quality academic programs; 3) Are students having an outstanding collegiate experience; 4) Are students receiving personal attention; and 5) Is NMU offering a high-tech learning environment.
Chair Campbell recessed the Retreat at 12:00 noon.
Chair Campbell reconvened the Retreat at 1:00 p.m.
Trustee Douglas C. Roberts joined the Retreat at this time.
QUESTION #2 – Where do our resources come from? How are we using them?
Mr. Leach presented data on the sources and utilization of NMU's resources. The Board reviewed NMU's resources and how they are used through discussion of the following questions: 1) Where does our funding come from; 2) Are we spending our resources consistent with our Mission and Vision; and 3) Are our compensation practices effective in maintaining quality faculty and staff.
QUESTION #3 – How do we compare to peer institutions in acquiring and utilizing resources?
President Roy presented three comparison groups for the data presentation on acquiring and utilizing resources – Midwestern Peer Institutions, Aspirations Institutions, and State Peer Institutions. Mr. Leach then presented, and the Board discussed, specific resources comparison data for NMU and the three groups of peer institutions.
RECESS
Chair Campbell recessed the Retreat at 3:00 p.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Campbell reconvened the Retreat at 3:17 p.m.
QUESTION #4 – How were the enrollment goals set and what should they be in the future?
President Roy reviewed how our enrollment goals were set, based on our per student state funding level. President Roy and Dr. Joyal then discussed with the Board several questions related to what our enrollment goals should be in the future: 1) What is our capacity; 2) Will Sawyer play a role in future growth; 3) Where do our students come from and how well are they prepared; 4) Should we change our approach to recruiting students; and 5) How are we doing in retaining students and can we improve.
Chair Campbell recessed the Retreat at 5:00 p.m.
Chair Campbell reconvened the Retreat on Friday, February 13, 2004, at 8:03 a.m.
Trustees present included:
Mary L. Campbell, Chair
Karl A. Weber, Vice Chair
Alan T. Ackerman (joined the Retreat at 8:40 a.m. and departed at 10:08 a.m.)
Samuel S. Benedict
Scott L. Holman
Mary C. Lukens
Douglas B. Roberts
Michael J. Roy, ex officio
The Trustee absent was Larry C. Inman
Vice Presidents/Board staff present included:
Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board;
R. Gavin Leach, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Board; and
Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Mr. David Haynes, NMU Lobbyist, joined the Retreat via conference call to present an update on the state budget situation. He reviewed the Governor's proposed budget which was released yesterday and discussed with the Board the possible implications for NMU.
President Roy and Mr. Leach presented information on current initiatives, including: 1) Community-wide Wireless Initiative; and 2) Deferred Maintenance. President Roy and Dr. Joyal then reviewed, and the Board discussed, possible new initiatives, including: 1) Passport Program (including academic service learning and student internships); 2) Residence Hall of the Future; 3) Multimedia Instruction; and 4) Initiatives Related to our Environment.
Chair Campbell recessed the Retreat at 10:08 a.m.
Chair Campbell reconvened the Retreat at 10:23 a.m.
QUESTION #6 – How do we use advisory boards?
President Roy and Dr. Joyal reviewed and discussed with the Board how NMU uses advisory boards or committees for both administrative and academic programs. They noted that some advisory boards or committees have membership that includes non-university members. In response to a suggestion from the Board, President Roy said he will follow up with Alumni/Development Executive Director Martha Van Der Kamp and Marketing Director Brian Zinser to look at additional ways to engage external advisory board/committee members with the University.
QUESTION #7 – How do we support students in securing employment after graduation or admittance to a graduate school or professional program?
President Roy and Dr. Joyal reviewed and discussed with the Board the support provided by NMU to students completing their programs, including assistance with identifying employment opportunities, securing graduate school admission, and improvements in the advising program through an action project associated with our AQIP accreditation.
QUESTION #8 – How are we utilizing alumni and what other opportunities are there?
President Roy presented a report on how we are currently utilizing alumni to assist in student recruitment, including the assignment of an assistant admissions director to develop an overall alumni recruitment assistance program that formalizes the activities currently underway and expands on opportunities to be offered in the future for additional alumni involvement. President Roy also reviewed several opportunities in place for alumni to be involved in our academic programs. He noted that alumni survey responses have provided valuable feedback in matching interested alumni with opportunities to engage in academic programs at NMU.
Chair Campbell recessed the Retreat at 12:00 noon.
Chair Campbell reconvened the Retreat at 1:15 p.m.
#9 – Review Board Committee Structure
The Board reviewed the current standing committee structure and asked Ms. Grundstrom to speak with Mr. Thomas Hustoles, the University's legal counsel, about a possible wording change to be addressed at the April 2004 Board meeting.
#10 – Review "Use of Time" Board Survey Results
The Board reviewed and discussed the results of a Board Time Use survey conducted among its members.
#11 – Wrap-up and Presidential Search Discussion
President Roy said he and Dr. Joyal and Mr. Leach have recorded several questions for follow-up discussions with the Board.
Presidential Search Advisory Committee Chair Sam Benedict excused members of the staff and the Board discussed the current status of the presidential search.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Campbell adjourned the Retreat at 3:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
___________________________________
Pamalene R. Grundstrom
Secretary of the Board