Approved

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes of the Regular Session

of

Thursday, February 23, 2006

 

 

A regular session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday, February 23, 2006, in the Cohodas Administrative Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602 Cohodas, at 1:39 p.m. by Chair Karl A. Weber.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                    Brian D. Cloyd           Mary C. Lukens (via conference call)

      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

 

 

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 1:20 p.m. on February 23, 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. LaSalle moved that the resolution be approved.  It was supported by Mr. Inman.  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.

 

 

RECESS

 

Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 1:40 p.m.

 

 

RECONVENE

 

Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602 Cohodas.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Karl A. Weber, Chair                    Brian D. Cloyd           Douglas B. Roberts

      Alan T. Ackerman                        Larry C. Inman           Leslie E. Wong, ex officio

      Samuel S. Benedict                       Jon G. LaSalle            

 

The Trustee absent was Mary C. Lukens

 

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

 

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF STUDENTS

 

Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment Bill Bernard said Carol Anderson, a 20-year-old junior, majoring in elementary education, was killed in a car accident on December 23, 2005; and Erin Lawson, a 23-year-old senior studying nursing, was killed in a car accident on January 21, 2006.   The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in memory of these two students.

 

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

 

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

 

 

ASNMU REPORT

 

Ms. Michelle Cox, ASNMU President, reported on student government activities (Addendum #1)

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Wong presented his report, with a focus on search updates, enrollment report, and public broadcasting awards (Addendum #2)

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Academic Affairs 

Mr. LaSalle reported on the Academic Affairs Committee meeting held earlier today (Addendum #3)

 

Executive 

 

Mr. Benedict reported on the Executive Committee meeting held earlier today (Addendum #4).  The committee recommended to the full Board that former Trustees Mary L. Campbell and Scott L. Holman be granted the status of Trustee Emeritus.  The Board took the following action:

 

It was moved by Mr. Benedict, seconded by Mr. Inman, and supported unanimously by the Board to grant Trustee Emeritus status to former Trustees Mary L. Campbell and Scott L. Holman, effective immediately. 

 

Ms. Campbell and Mr. Holman will be formally recognized for this honor at a future Board meeting. 

 

The Board also took the following action in response to a recommendation from the Committee. 

 

It was moved by Mr. Benedict, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, and supported unanimously by the Board to pass the following Resolution:

 

Resolved:  The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees directs the University’s Administration to implement processes to ensure adherence to the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee procedures (JCOS Policies 1-7).

 

Further, the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University requests that the Administration continue to provide the Board with an annual capital activity report for their review. 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY-FRIDAY, May 4-5, 2006, MEETING OF THE BOARD

 

President Wong made this announcement for the public record. 

 

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS  (Backup)

 

In response to a question Chair Weber raised on behalf of Trustee Lukens, Dr. Roy provided clarification on how the staff arrived at the proposed rates for the new apartments in Formal Recommendation E1. 

 

The Board then took the following action regarding the Formal Recommendations:

 

            It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Mr. Benedict, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations.

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Dr. Roy presented a property sale recommendation for action by the Board.  Following discussion and clarification by Dr. Roy, the Board took the following action: 

 

Note:  Chair Weber abstained from voting on this recommendation because his firm has a business relationship with the City of Marquette

 

It was moved by Mr. Inman, seconded by Mr. Benedict, and passed with six (6) yes votes and one (1) abstention to sell for $1 the following parcel of property to the City of Marquette:  60’ x 50’ parcel in the NW ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 14, T.48N., R.25W. 

 

 

FOCUS DISCUSSION – BUDGET AND FORMULA MODELS DISCUSSION/LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY  (Addendum #5)

 

Dr. Joyal introduced this discussion, noting that it is the conclusion of the three-part discussion begun during the October and December 2005 Board meetings.  Dean of Arts and Sciences Terry Seethoff made a presentation highlighting several issues including high faculty productivity, below average faculty compensation, high average instruction costs, and demographics.  Discussion followed and Dr. Seethoff responded to questions and comments from Trustees.  President Wong then reviewed NMU’s goals and action plan.  He reviewed the legislative process, which began with the Senate budget testimony last week and will continue with the House testimony in April.  Discussion followed and President Wong responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Weber adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

________________________________________

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Pamalene R. Grundstrom,

Secretary of the Board