Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
Haynes Offers Six-Month Review
David Haynes is halfway through his inaugural year as Northern Michigan University’s president. He offers the following review of the activities and achievements that have marked his first six months at the helm of his alma mater:
▪Appointed Paul Lang as provost and hired Forrest Karr as the new athletic director. Haynes is working with Karr on a new strategic plan for athletics and on strengthening the connection between NMU athletics and the community. “We had a street fair to mark the first home football game and we would like to do more of that kind of thing to increase community involvement—not only in football and hockey, but the other sports as well,” Haynes said.
▪Oversaw the successful negotiation and approval of three union contracts: the NMU Faculty Association (NMUFA), the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-NMU) and the Administrative/Professional union (UAW 2178). The Technical and Office Professionals’ (UAW 1950) contract is still being negotiated.
▪Finalized State of Michigan approval for the university’s plan for a new academic building, to be named Jamrich Hall.
▪Started working with key legislators and policy decision-makers toward securing federal grant money for NMU.
▪Began exploring options for establishing sites to deliver NMU programs in lower Michigan and internationally.
▪Enhanced NMU’s military-friendly status by authorizing an in-state tuition rate for veteran students no matter where they reside. Haynes also helped the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs establish the first VA benefit service officer in the Upper Peninsula and agreed to provide office space for that position on campus.
▪Rethink. Renew. Reconnect. “I developed these three words to guide the university because it’s important for everyone on campus to review what we’re doing and how we do it,” Haynes said. “The model for higher education is changing dramatically. The social contract that existed between people and the government where the government would cover most of the cost of education has flip-flopped. We were pleased with the 5 percent increase from the state—the first increase in about a decade—and the fact we maintained the second-lowest tuition in the state. But we need to reconsider how we deliver that product known as higher education. Rethink, Renew and Reconnect starts that process.”
▪Restructured the NMU Enrollment Management Network. Haynes is looking at new strategic programs across all sectors in the hope of moving from flat-line enrollment to an increase. The admissions and financial aid directors now report directly to him as part of his top management team. Haynes said NMU is working with a consultant to conduct a major analysis of recruiting strategies and determine new directions to promote enrollment growth from beyond the Upper Peninsula, where high school demographics have declined and which now accounts for fewer than half of NMU’s students.
▪Released the university’s first comprehensive annual report in about 30 years. It is available for review atwww.nmu.edu/president.
▪Completed an NMU economic impact study and directed a faculty member to conduct a trade-flow study to evaluate how trade moves from Canada through the Upper Peninsula to Chicago and the Upper Midwest.
▪Initiated opportunities to highlight the university’s history and achievements, such as displaying alumni work in the president’s office foyer and conference room. Haynes also introduced “Moment in NMU History” presentations as a regular agenda item for meetings of the NMU Board of Trustees.