Approved

 

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes of the Formal Session

of

Friday, December 12, 2008

 

 

A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, December 12, 2008, in the Cohodas Hall, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of Trustees Room, 602 Cohodas by Chair

Mary C. Lukens.

 

Trustees present included:

 

            Mary C. Lukens, Chair                       Brian D. Cloyd                       Gilbert L. Ziegler       

            Stephen F. Adamini                            Jon G. LaSalle                         Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

            Samuel S. Benedict                             Douglas B. Roberts                            

 

Note:  Trustee Benedict abstained from deliberating and voting.  He is now a resident of the state of Florida and is no longer a registered elector of the state of Michigan.  He attended this meeting as an invited guest.

 

Senior staff and counsel present included:

 

            Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel

Susan J. Koch, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board

            Theresa M. Nease, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board

                       

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Wong gave an overview of the number of students who pay full tuition without benefit of financial aid and loans.  The analyses explored variables such as state residency outside Michigan, community college status, students from Canada, and sport team rosters.   

 

President Wong briefed the Trustees on the status of the Smoke Free Workforce initiative.  A complete smoking ban on campus would be difficult to enforce and not a viable option.  Discussions on campus turned to addressing a healthier workplace and workforce.  President Wong has charged a committee led by Mr. Lenny Shible, Health Promotion Specialist, to create and propose a plan to make NMU a healthier place to work.  Dr. Wong is also reviewing different ways to enforce the current campus smoking policy. 

 

President Wong gave an update on the progress and success of the Foundation team, which included an increase in number of prospect and major donors and increased giving from recent graduates.  He announced that NMU has received CASE District V silver awards in the categories “Best Collaborative Program” and “Best Practices in Fundraising and Development" for the program titled "Two Events, One Special Night."  Ms. Martha Haynes, Executive Director of the NMU Foundation, said NMU has a very ambitious goal, and she is optimistic that NMU will be able to reach established goals even in these difficult financial times.  Trustee LaSalle said there is an intangible, positive result to development officers’ contact with donors and alumni and reconnecting them to the university.

 

Dr. Cynthia Prosen updated the Board on accreditation activities.  NMU is preparing for the Quality Checkup Visit by the Higher Learning Commission in March 2009.  Work also progresses on the ongoing AQIP (Continuous Quality Improvement) projects.

 

 

FOCUS DISCUSSION  (Addendum #1)

 

President Wong reviewed graduation rates focusing on NMU’s non-baccalaureate programs.  Students in this group vary in length of time to degree and often do not finish their program when they obtain a position in their field of interest.  Students in baccalaureate programs also vary in length of time to degree with the four-year rate to graduation being low.  The motivation to graduate in four years is varied.  Staff will continue to gather data and report back to the Board on graduation rates.  Fifth and sixth-year graduation rates were par with regional and national peers.

 

Dr. Koch updated the Trustees on the activities related to the internationalization effort on campus. She indicated the desire to increase the number of international students on campus.  Recruitment efforts will focus on Canada, Latin America, Gulf States, Asia, and Turkey.  NMU also is admitting a cohort of students from Saudi Arabia for the first time next semester.  Other recruitment efforts include signing memoranda of understanding with universities abroad, submitting grant applications to fund faculty and student exchanges, establishing articulation agreements with domestic community colleges that enroll high numbers of international students, increased internet advertising, and the addition of new multilingual promotional materials.

 

Dr. Wong emphasized that having international students on campus reinforces the global engagement goal of the Roadmap to 2015.  Staff will continue to gather data, and this issue will be a discussion item at a future Board meeting.

 

 

RECESS – Chair Lukens recessed the meeting at 11:20 a.m.  

 

 

RECONVENE -- Chair Lukens reconvened the meeting at 1:05 p.m. 

 

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

 

None.

 

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

Mr. William Bernard led the Trustees and staff in a moment of silence for NMU student, Bradley Green, who passed away after a bicycle accident on September 20. 

 

Mr. Gavin Leach led the Trustees and staff in a moment of silence for three NMU employees:

 

a.       Mr. Paul Hutter, a Building and Grounds attendant, who died unexpectedly on October 31.

b.      Mr. John “Kevin” Seiter, a Operator/Technician, who died on December 3 after a brief illness.

c.       Mr. Gary Jerry, a HelpDesk Consultant, who died on December 8.

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT MIDYEAR COMMENCEMENT

 

Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment, William Bernard, introduced Mr. Zachary Ziegler from Mayville, Wisconsin.  He will represent the graduating class of Winger 2008 at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow.  Zachary is a Music Education/Secondary Education major.  On behalf of the Board, Chair Lukens congratulated Mr. Ziegler and presented him with a plaque.  A photo was taken. 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER AND HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT

 

President Wong announced that Ms. Gloria J. Jackson, an NMU alum, will be the December 2008 Commencement Speaker and will received the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Business.  Ms. Jackson is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of CableAmerica Corporation, a family-owned and highly successful company based in Mesa, AZ.

 

ASNMU REPORT

 

Mr. Hobie Webster, 2008-2009 ASNMU President, reported.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #2).    Trustee Ziegler requested that Mr. Webster solicit student opinions on the use of eBooks and eBook readers.

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Academic Affairs

 

Mr. LaSalle, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held on Thursday, December 11, 2008.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3).  

 

 

Finance

 

Dr. Roberts, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held on Thursday,

December 11, 2008.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #4). 

 

 

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2009

 

Chair-elect Roberts announced that the recommended 2009 NMU Board of Trustees Standing Committee Appointments are included in the formals (Formal Recommendation F-3).  The appointments are as follows:

 

2009 NMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES STANDING COMMITTEES

 

Academic Affairs                      Finance                                                 Executive

 

Jon G. LaSalle, Chair                  Stephen F. Adamini, Chair           Brian D. Cloyd, Chair

Brian D. Cloyd                           Brian D. Cloyd                             Stephen F. Adamini

New Board Member                   Gilbert L. Ziegler                          Jon G. LaSalle

New Board Member                   New Board Member                     Douglas B. Roberts, ex officio

Douglas B. Roberts, ex officio   Douglas B. Roberts, ex officio     Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

    Leslie E. Wong, ex officio          Leslie E. Wong, ex officio     

 

 

Chair-elect Roberts also announced the ex officio re-appointments of Mr. Gilbert Ziegler and Mr. Stephen Adamini to the NMU Foundation Board of Trustees for calendar year 2009. 

 

Chair-elect Roberts indicated his intent to appoint a special ad hoc committee on recruitment and retention for the calendar year 2009 which will consist of two members of the Board and two members of the administration nominated by President Wong.  Trustee Ziegler will chair the committee.

 

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS

 

It was moved by Trustee LaSalle, seconded by Trustee Ziegler, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations. (Addendum #5)

 

 

RECOGNITION OF TRUSTEE ACKERMAN

 

Chair Lukens recognized Trustee Alan Ackerman who resigned from the Board of Trustees for personal reasons.  The Board adopted a resolution as part of the formal recommendations in Trustee Ackerman’s honor (See Formal Recommendation F6).

 

 

RECOGNITION OF RETIRING TRUSTEES

 

Chair-elect Roberts recognized outgoing Chair Lukens for her service to NMU.   The Board adopted a formal resolution (See Formal Recommendation F4).  President Wong and Chair-elect Roberts presented Chair Lukens with engraved marble bookends and a photo album commemorating her service on the NMU Board of Trustees.  A photo was taken.

 

 

Chair-elect Roberts recognized retiring Trustee Sam Benedict for his service to NMU.  The Board adopted a formal resolution (See Formal Recommendation F5).  President Wong and Chair-elect Roberts presented Trustee Benedict with a gift and a photo album commemorating his service on the NMU Board of Trustees.  A photo was taken.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED INFORMAL SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19-20, 2009, MEETING OF THE BOARD

 

President Wong made this announcement for the public record. 

 

           

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Lukens adjourned the meeting at 1:55 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

Theresa M. Nease

Secretary of the Board