July 27, 2001
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CAMPUS Goes Online

We hope you enjoy the new electronic version of Northern's faculty-staff newsletter. The format change is in response to a reader survey conducted last winter. It revealed that most employees want to receive campus news, but found the printed version wasn't timely enough.

We listened! CAMPUS will be distributed via e-mail twice a month during the academic year and once a month during the summer. It includes the same features you've come to expect, along with a few new ones.

We appreciate your patience during our transition. If you have problems accessing or receiving the new CAMPUS (or know of someone who does), please let us know. Contact Kristi Evans or Cindy Paavola at ext. 2720. To submit ideas or information for future issues, visit the NMU Advancement Gateway.

NMU Remains Among Most Affordable in State

Northern Michigan University is expected to drop to fourth-lowest in the state for tuition and fees if reported increases at Michigan's public universities are not revised by school governing boards between now and when the state legislature formally votes on the proposed higher education bill in September.

Northern ranked fifth last year.

Thursday’s Detroit News reported that Wayne State’s Board of Governors just approved a 9.0 percent increase for its tuition and fees. Only Central Michigan and Oakland have yet to set fall rates.

A CMU Life report quoted Central president Mike Rao as saying the school’s increase would be between 8-12 percent. Central is expected to announce its increase Friday. An Oakland Press article quoted OU officials as looking at a 9.9 percent increase.

State universities have set above-average increases in response to falling state revenues and surging utility and health care costs.

After receiving a 1.47 percent state appropriations increase in the Higher Education Conference Committee's report, the Executive Committee of Northern’s Board of Control approved an 8.8 percent increase for fall 2001 tuition and fees, pending full Board approval at its Aug. 10 meeting. NMU full-time resident undergraduates will pay $176 more per semester, for an annual cost of $4,357.

Before setting tuition and fees, NMU President Judi Bailey said administrators reorganized initiatives scheduled for the upcoming academic year, delaying some and funding others through one-time or reallocated monies.

“Our top priority initiatives – such as hiring new faculty to keep class size small, completing the Seaborg Complex, and providing academic support services for students – are directly linked to the quality of our programs and our growing enrollment and, as such, simply could not be delayed,” Bailey said.

Here are the percentage-rate increases announced by the state's public universities: Michigan Tech, 18.9; Eastern, 15.4; U-M Flint, 10.5; Western, 9.9; U-M Dearborn, 9.4; Grand Valley, 9.1; Ferris State, 9.0; Wayne State, 9.0; Michigan State, 8.9; Northern, 8.8; Lake Superior State, 8.0; Saginaw Valley, 6.7; Michigan, 6.5.

The situation in Michigan reflects a national trend:

USA Today: College Tuition

Harley Fuels NMU Community Policing Efforts

What's metallic white with a familiar green and gold logo, runs on two wheels and purrs like a kitten? It's the latest addition to the NMU Public Safety fleet.

Northern is taking advantage of a Harley-Davidson promotion available to law enforcement agencies across the country.

It's a win-win situation. The motorcycle manufacturer generates some favorable publicity by giving campus and community departments temporary access to a specially-equipped bike at a small fraction of the retail cost.

"We were able to get our motorcycle through a dealer in Lansing for $300," said Jeff Mincheff, assistant director of police services. "We picked it up in mid-June and will return it in late October. This seemed like a good investment because it adds some visibility to our community policing efforts, and we'll make up the cost on the gas savings alone."

As Northern's community policing specialist, Don Peterman occupies the enviable seat atop the Harley.

"It's not a patrol vehicle; I take it to orientation and other programs," he said. "It's been a real conversation piece. Students and their parents have come up for a closer look and ask questions or make comments about it. The response has been real positive. It's a nice way to highlight our department."