Friday,
October 8, 2004
Board
Approves Budget, Bond Measures
The
Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has approved
a 2005-06 operating budget request and a capital outlay request.
Public universities are required to submit both to the state
on an annual basis.
The
operating budget increase request of $3.4 million reflects
the amount that would be necessary for NMU to maintain its
current level of operations in the next fiscal year.
It
factors in tuition revenue based on current rates and a projected
3 percent hike in enrollment. It also includes anticipated
rising costs associated with such items as health insurance,
utilities, scholarships and financial aid, and compensation.
Northern’s 2004-05 operating budget is $82 million. Full
Story
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Decision
Delayed on
Public Stations
One anticipated course of action that
the NMU board did not take was to decide the future of the
public broadcasting stations.
Eric Smith
(Learning Resources) and Fred Joyal (Academic
Affairs) gave a presentation that compared the costs and impact
of keeping radio and television on the air with those of selling
the licenses. They were stopped short of making a recommendation
–
to continue operating the stations with $250,000 in university
general fund support –
because several questions and comments from trustees
extended the session beyond its allotted time.
The board will discuss
the issue further at its December meeting. Trustees asked
for more detailed information about the stations' educational
missions and value, particularly relating to Public TV 13.
They also asked station managers and administrators to investigate
other sources of permanent, external funding that might equal
the university’s current level of support. As reported in
August 2003, NMU provided $250,000 in one-time funds to keep
radio and television operating through June 2005.
"It
would have been nice to resolve this, but I understand the
board's need to have a complete understanding of this issue
so they can make the best decision on behalf of the university,"
Smith said.
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Homecoming
Oct. 11-16
Homecoming 2004:
Digging Up the Past will be celebrated at NMU Oct. 11-16.
For a full schedule, go to Homecoming.
Faculty/Staff
Reception
The
NMU Alumni Association invites faculty and staff to join in
celebrating homecoming and the installation of President
Les Wong. A reception for employees is scheduled
from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, in the Peter White Lounge
of the University Center. One complimentary beverage and hors
d'oeuvres will be available.
Installation
Activities
Installation week, which coincides
with homecoming, will feature a number of student and faculty
presentations. It will culminate with the investiture ceremony
for President Les Wong, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday,
Oct. 16, in Vandament Arena. Full
Story
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Six
Inducted into Sports Hall of Fame
Six
will be inducted into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame Oct.15.
It is also the 100th year of NMU football. Inductees are:
Thomas
Knauss, a retired mathematics professor who served on the
NMU Athletic Council; Mark Maddox, a Wildcat linebacker from
1987-80 and two-time All-GLIAC first team selection; Barb
Maszlewski, former athletic trainer for women's sports; Stacy
Metro (Athletics), a two-time Division II Player
of the Year in volleyball and member of the 1993 national
championship team; Mark Simon, who played basketball from
1982-86 and has the record for most victories as a player
(85); and Jennifer (Kleeman) Urick, a nine-time national
champion swimmer.
Full
Story
Alumni
Award Winners Announced
Three NMU alumni
will be recognized for their achievements as part of the homecoming
festivities. Steven Mitchell of West Bloomfield will receive
the Distinguished Alumni Award, Troy Huggett of Battle Creek
will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, and Bobby
Glenn Brown of Marquette will receive the Alumni Service Award.
Full
Story
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Helping
U.P. Schools Make the Grade
Carl
Wozniak (U.P. Center for Educational Development)
spent part of his summer trying to help small public schools
in Michigan get report-card grades as required by the “No
Child Left Behind” legislation. His effort helped result in
a new methodology to solve the problem that has been approved
by the state school board and the federal government.
“No
Child Left Behind” requires that all schools be given grades
to show the school’s yearly progress. But the law also requires
that states set a minimum number of students – 30 in Michigan
– to guarantee statistical validity. What
lawmakers didn’t realize was that as many as 118 Michigan
schools have fewer than 30 students and did not receive grades.
Twenty-eight of these schools are in the Upper Peninsula.
Full
Story
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No
Flu Shots at Health Center
Because of the disruption
to the U.S. influenza vaccine supply, the NMU Health Center
will not administer flu vaccines this year. To cope with the
shortage, the Centers for Disease Control has issued interim
recommendations for influenza immunization during the 2004-05
season.
The following groups are considered
high-priority for vaccination: children 6-23 months; adults
65 and older; persons aged 2-64 years with chronic cardiovascular
and pulmonary disorders, including asthma, and those with
diabetes, kidney disease, or immunosuppression; women who
are pregnant during the influenza season (through April);
residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
health care workers involved in direct patient care; and caregivers
and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months.
Persons in the high-priority groups identified above are encouraged
to seek immunization with other area health care providers.
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First University
Forum Oct. 27
The
first university forum of the year will be held from 3-5 p.m.,
Wednesday, Oct. 27, in the Brule Room of the University Center.
The focus topics will include outlining the 2005-06 budget
planning process and the Curriculum for the 21st Century.
An open question and answer period will follow. The next forum
is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Walk
with Ernie
Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster
Ernie Harwell will lead a WalkingWorks trek of about
two miles Saturday, Oct. 9, beginning and ending at the NMU
Berry Events Center. The fitness walk series is sponsored
by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network.
On-site registration
begins at 9 a.m. There will be music, refreshments, face painting
for kids, massage therapy and a Pilates demonstration prior
to the walk. Harwell will begin signing autographs at 10 a.m.
Wildcat Willy will also visit. The start time is 11 a.m. Every
walker receives a free WalkingWorks T-shirt and walking
kit. While there are five anniversary walks scheduled across
Michigan this year, WalkingWorks
is a year-round program.
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