Approved

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes of the Regular Session/Retreat

of

Friday, August 11, 2006

 

 

A regular session/retreat of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, August 11, 2006, in the Cohodas Administrative Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened at 10:12 a.m. in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602 Cohodas, by Chair Karl A. Weber.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                    Samuel S. Benedict                 Mary C. Lukens

      Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair          Brian D. Cloyd                       Douglas B. Roberts

      Alan T. Ackerman                         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 L. Dehlin, General Counsel

      Kurt N. Sherwood, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal 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 10:10 a.m., on August 11, 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. Inman moved that the resolution be approved.  It was supported by Mr. LaSalle.  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.

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF AD HOC NOMINATING COMMITTEE

 

Chair Weber announced the following appointments to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee:  Chair, Alan Ackerman; Members, Sam Benedict and Karl Weber.    

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 10:14 a.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 11:07 a.m.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                    Samuel S. Benedict                 Mary C. Lukens

      Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair          Brian D. Cloyd                       Douglas B. Roberts

      Alan T. Ackerman                         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 L. Dehlin, General Counsel

      Kurt N. Sherwood, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal Counsel

 

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENTS

 

Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Enrollment Bill Bernard advised the Board of Trustees that NMU student Christopher “Kit” Crockett died on May 11, 2006 when he was swept off the rocks by a wave during a storm and drowned in Lake Superior.  Kit was a resident of Marquette since the age of seven.  He was a former championship BMX bike racer and a member of the National Guard.  He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management in May and had begun graduate classes in Training and Development.  The Board observed a moment of silence in Mr. Crockett's memory.

 

Mr. Bernard also advised the Board and NMU Student Erik Gravelle died on June 24, 2006 after suffering a head injury in a fall at his home.  Erik lived in Marquette for most of his life.  He was working towards a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.  The Board observed a moment of silence in Mr. Gravelle's memory.

 

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

 

Ms. Grundstrom reported that there were no requests to address the Board.

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Executive

 

Mr. Benedict, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on a meeting held this morning.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #1).   

 

The following action item was presented.  Mr. Benedict said we are in the final year of President Wong's current contract and after discussion and deliberation with the President and legal counsel, the Executive Committee is recommending a new presidential employment agreement and deferred compensation agreement.  He shared a copy of the documents with the Trustees.  Based on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, the Board took the following action:

 

            It was moved by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Inman, and supported unanimously by the Board to approve the new presidential employment agreement and deferred compensation agreement, as presented.  Copies of these documents are on file with the Secretary of the Board. 

 

Finance

 

Dr. Roberts, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held this morning.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #2)

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Wong presented his report with a focus on enrollment.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3)

 

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS  (Backup)

 

            It was moved by Mr. Ackerman, 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, OCTOBER 5-6, 2006, MEETING OF THE BOARD

 

President Wong made this announcement for the public record. 

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 12:45 p.m.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                    Samuel S. Benedict                 Mary C. Lukens

      Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair          Brian D. Cloyd                       Douglas B. Roberts

                                                            Jon G. LaSalle                         Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

 

The Trustee absent for the Retreat Portion was Alan Ackerman. 

 

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 L. Dehlin, General Counsel

      Kurt N. Sherwood, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal Counsel

 

 

RETREAT PORTION  

 

Board Roles and Responsibilities

 

The Trustees discussed several topics with regard to Board Roles and Responsibilities:

 

     1.    The results of the Board Self-Assessment Survey completed in 2001.  The Board discussed the outcomes of the 2001 self-assessment process and if they should consider a new self-assessment during the February 2007 Board Retreat.  Trustees agreed that it would be helpful for the current Board members to complete the survey and to compare the results with those from 2001. 

 

     2.    The Board Meeting Schedule.  The Trustees discussed the idea of scheduling Board meetings around campus events such as Homecoming to offer Trustees the opportunity to be more involved in campus activities. 

 

     3.    Trustees' knowledge of the University.  The Board discussed opportunities to educate Trustees on major topics at the University, such as curriculum direction, etc. 

 

     4.    Most effective use of Trustees' time.  The Board discussed the pros and cons of longer versus shorter Board meetings and opportunities for more interaction with the campus and community.  Discussion followed on ways to do that, including visiting classes; meetings with departmental units on campus, more interaction with the surrounding community, etc. 

 

     5.    Standing Committee Meetings.  The Trustees discussed the possibility of holding periodic (perhaps once or twice a year) committee meetings – not necessarily tied to full Board meetings, and not necessarily meeting every time the Board meets. 

 

     6.    Best Practices and Expectations – Board/Administration Relationships.  Trustees discussed the differences in the Board/Administrative relationships in public institutions versus corporate institutions and the importance of understanding their role when appointed to the Board. 

 

The Board took a brief break from 1:42 p.m. until 1:50 p.m.

 

     7.    Scope of Board Authority and Responsibility.  Trustees discussed the authority assigned to the Board, addressed in the legislation which created the Board (Public Act 48 of 1963).  Discussion continued about the role of the Board and the Administration in contracting with outside service providers. 

 

     8.    Board Guidelines.  The Board discussed its guiding documents, including Bylaws, Procedures and Committee Charges, noting that the Board takes action as a whole and when appropriate, takes action in response to the recommendation of the President. 

 

     9.    February 2007 Retreat.  Trustees suggested several items for the 2007 Board Retreat Agenda: 1) Board Expectations; 2) Board Procedures; 3) Board Tuition Policy; 4) Mission/Vision/Values; and 5) Board Self-Assessment. 

 

The Board took a brief break from 2:37 p.m. until 2:50 p.m. 

 

President's Vision

 

President Wong presented his vision statement (Addendum #4).  He referred Trustees to an AASCU article entitled "Stewards of Place" describing mission driven funding. 

 

He reviewed the basis of his vision, rooted in key values and attributes, including 1) our fundamental commitment to students; 2) the talent found in faculty, staff and administration; and 3) an unqualified commitment to teaching and learning of the first caliber. 

 

He also outlined four major initiatives important to Northern's future, including 1) internationalizing the campus and our curriculum; 2) promoting the Superior Edge program; 3) expanding our graduate school and grant funded research effort; and 4) NMU's second capital campaign. 

 

Several additional important considerations will figure into NMU's future, including: 1) continued enrollment growth to an optimum size; 2) tuition policy consideration; 3) recruitment/retention strategies; 4) curriculum renovations; 5) increase in online off-campus enrollments; 6) increase online graduate programs and certificates; and 7) determining the most appropriate and effective size for NMU in 2015.

 

Finally, President Wong reviewed several challenges before us in the future, including: 1) managing personnel transitions through the baby boom retirement phase; 2) retaining quality staff and faculty through adequate compensation, positive work environments and ongoing training; 3) establishing a faculty mix/faculty-staff mix strategy for forward movement while sustaining fiscal responsibility; and 4) improving our role as an economic catalyst in the region. 

 

President Wong also referred Trustees to a document outlining the results of the NMU President's Council summer retreat, including a proposed revised Mission Statement, the existing Vision Statement, and proposed Values to inspire our community (Addendum #5)

 

Discussion followed and President Wong responded to questions and comments from Trustees.  Several points were noted during the discussion:  1) important initiatives and future plans are discussed with the campus community in a series of university-wide forums scheduled throughout the academic year; 2) are there ways to better market our strengths; 3) the Board will look at tuition policy in the future; 4) the president will discuss with the Trustees the Board's role in the capital campaign; 5) the president will meet individually with each Trustee in the coming months. 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Weber adjourned the meeting at 3:42 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Pamalene R. Grundstrom

Secretary of the Board