Approved
NORTHERN
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Regular Session
of
A regular session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan
University was held on Thursday and Friday, December 15-16, 2005, in the
Trustees present included:
Karl A. Weber, Chair Brian D. Cloyd Mary C. Lukens
Alan T. Ackerman (via conference call) Larry C. Inman Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
Samuel S. Benedict Jon G. LaSalle
The Trustee absent for this session only was Douglas B. Roberts.
Senior staff 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
Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
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 11:35 a.m. on December 15, 2005, 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.
Aye Nay
Mr. Ackerman
Mr. Benedict
Mr. Cloyd
Mr. Inman
Mr. LaSalle
Ms. Lukens
Mr. Weber
None
The resolution was thus approved unanimously.
Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 11:57 a.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Weber reconvened the meeting on Friday, December 16, 2005, at 8:32 a.m. in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602 Cohodas.
Trustees present included:
Karl A. Weber, Chair Brian D. Cloyd Mary C. Lukens
Alan T. Ackerman Larry C. Inman Douglas B. Roberts
Samuel S. Benedict 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
Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Kurt N. Sherwood, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal Counsel
INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Ms. Grundstrom reported that there were no requests to address the Board.
FOCUS DISCUSSION
NMU Foundation: Future Plans (Addendum #1)
NMU Foundation Executive Director Martha Van Der Kamp and Director of Foundation Operations Amy Silk made a presentation on future plans for the Foundation. They responded to comments and questions from Trustees. Following the report and discussion of the proposed funding plan for the next capital campaign, the Board took action as follows:
It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Mr. LaSalle, and supported unanimously by the Board to provide one-time funds in the amount of $200,000 per year for two years, beginning in 2006, to cover one-third of the cost of new positions in the NMU Foundation Office in support of our next capital campaign.
Public Television: Annual Report and Digitalization Update (Addendum #1)
Director of Broadcast and Audio Visual Services Eric Smith noted that the public broadcasting audited annual report has been completed and is available in the Office of the Secretary of the Board. He also presented an update on plans to digitalize the NMU public broadcasting operation. He responded to comments and questions from Trustees.
NCAA Update (Addendum #1A)
President Wong introduced the new NMU Men’s Head Football Coach, Bernie Anderson, to the Board noting that he is an NMU alum, ’78 and ‘89.
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Godfrey gave a status report on the NCAA athletic program at Northern. He responded to comments and questions from Trustees.
Funding/Formula Discussion (continued) (Addendum #1)
Associate Vice President for Finance and Planning Gavin Leach presented a report on comparative revenue and costs for NMU. He responded to questions and comments from Trustees. Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Terry Seethoff reported on academic costs, including compensation, productivity, unit cost of instruction, faculty mix, and demographics. He responded to questions and comments from Trustees. Dr. Roy and Mr. Leach concluded the Focus Discussion with an update on the role of financial aid at NMU. They responded to questions and comments from Trustees.
RECESS
Chair Weber recessed the meeting for a break at 10:50 a.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 11:05 a.m.
MEMORIAL TO STUDENT
Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment, Mr. Bill Bernard, presented a memorial for NMU Student James Wieser, a senior psychology major who was killed in an automobile accident on November 23. His family will receive his diploma as he had earned enough credits to graduate. The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in his memory.
INTRODUCTION OF SISTER CITY SCHOLAR
Director of International Studies John Weting introduced Ms. Yuuka Sano, Sister City Scholar. Ms. Sano made a presentation and thanked the Board for the opportunity to participate in the Sister City Scholar program. A photo was taken with Ms. Sano, President Wong, and Chair Weber.
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT MIDYEAR COMMENCEMENT
Mr. William Bernard introduced Ms. Shannon Butryn from Escanaba, who will represent the graduating class at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow. She is graduating cum laude with a double major in secondary education, English and Social Studies. On behalf of the Board, Chair Weber congratulated Ms. Butryn and presented her with a plaque. A photo was taken.
ASNMU REPORT
Ms. Michelle Cox, ASNMU President, reported on the activities of the student government. (Addendum #2).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Wong presented his report, with a focus on faculty excellence (Addendum #3). He also introduced Northern’s new equal opportunity officer, Catherine Dehlin, to the Board and reported on the Provost Search, noting that a search advisory committee was appointed and has held its first meeting. The executive search firm A.T. Kearney will assist in the search.
Ms. Lukens reported on the Academic Affairs Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #4).
Dr. Roberts reported on the Finance Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #5).
Executive
Mr. Benedict reported on the Executive Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #6). The committee recommended to the full Board that an architectural firm be hired to conduct a facility review of Kaye House. Following discussion, the Board took the following action:
It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Dr. Roberts, and supported unanimously by the Board to hire an architectural firm to conduct a facility review of Kaye House to get an estimate of the minimum requirements of what needs to be done to bring it up to current standards.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2006
Chair Weber announced that the recommended 2006 NMU Board of Trustees Standing Committee Appointments are included the formals (Formal Recommendation F-1). The appointments are as follows:
2006 NMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES STANDING COMMITTEES
Academic Affairs Finance Executive
Mary C. Lukens, Chair Douglas B. Roberts, Chair Samuel S. Benedict, Chair
Brian D. Cloyd Alan T. Ackerman Larry C. Inman
Larry C. Inman Samuel S. Benedict Mary C. Lukens
Jon G. LaSalle Larry C. Inman Karl A. Weber, ex officio
Karl A. Weber, ex officio Karl A. Weber, ex officio Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
Leslie E. Wong, ex officio Leslie E. Wong, ex officio Douglas B. Roberts, alternate
Chair Weber also announced his ex officio appointments to the NMU Foundation Board of Trustees for calendar year 2006. They are: Brian D. Cloyd, Larry C. Inman, and Jon G. LaSalle.
The Board took the following action regarding the Formal Recommendations:
It was moved by Ms. Lukens, seconded by Mr. LaSalle, 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, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2006, MEETING OF THE BOARD
President Wong made this announcement for the public record.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board discussed the possibility of designating the February 2006 Board meeting as a retreat. It was noted that the Funding/Formula Discussion is scheduled to be concluded in February. Other topics for discussion could include: the faculty mix, and policy review in light of the legislative session. Chair Weber said we will discuss the location of the meeting once we determine if it is to be designated as a retreat.
Chair Weber adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Pamalene R. Grundstrom
Secretary of the Board