Approved

 

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes of the Regular Session

of

Thursday-Friday, July 17-18, 2008

 

 

A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, July 18, 2008, in the Cohodas Hall, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened at 9:15 a.m. in the Board of Trustees Room, 602 Cohodas, by Chair Mary C. Lukens.

 

Trustees present included:

 

      Mary C. Lukens, Chair                 Samuel S. Benedict                             Douglas B. Roberts    

      Alan T. Ackerman                        Brian D. Cloyd                                   Gilbert L. Ziegler

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

 

           

Senior staff and counsel present included:

 

      Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel

Susan Koch, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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

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

           

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

 

None 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Wong recognized Prof. Sandra Poindexter, Michigan Professor of the Year.  A photo was taken.

 

President Wong outlined efforts taken by faculty and staff to promote sustainability and to reduce costs and gave a brief enrollment and retention update.  He said division reports on the progress of the Roadmap to 2015 will be given at each upcoming Board meeting.

 

 

FOCUS DISCUSSION 

 

Budget and Tuition Update

Mr. Gavin Leach presented information on budget issues such as budget and appropriation history, total costs of operations, staffing efficiencies, rising utility costs, and Roadmap initiatives for 2008-2009.  He then presented tuition and fee models, including increases of 6.4%, 5.9%, 5.5%, and 4.5% and indicated how each model would impact moving forward with initiatives outlined in the Roadmap to 2015.   All models assume a 1% increase in state appropriations. Discussion followed and staff members responded to questions and comments from Trustees. 

The Board then took the following action:

 

It was moved by Dr. Roberts and supported by Mr. LaSalle to approve the 5.5% tuition and fees increase proposal, as presented.  (See Addendum #1.)

 

The motion was thus approved with seven (7) for the motion and one (1) against.

 

 

Mr. Benedict said his vote against this motion did not reflect his dissatisfaction with the recommended percentage rate, but to express a challenge to the University to find the monies elsewhere in the budget to continue to fund the Roadmap to 2015 initiatives.  Board members agreed this should be a priority.

 

Dr. Roberts reviewed the methods for understanding and computing inflation and the consumer price index and how both affect setting tuition rates and balancing the university budget.  Dr. Roberts will propose a three-tiered tuition model at a future Board meeting which includes in-state, resident tuition; out-of-state, non resident tuition; and out-of-country, non Michigan, non U.S. resident tuition.

 

 

RECESS – Chair Lukens recessed the meeting at 10:45 a.m.  

 

 

RECONVENE -- Chair Lukens reconvened the meeting at 10:55 a.m. 

 

 

Human Resources Update

Ms. Ann Sherman, Director of Human Resources, gave an update on the changes and activities of the Human Resources Department including an organizational model, current staff changes, presenting issues, and priority actions.  (See Addendum #2.)

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Executive

 

Mr. Benedict, Chair of the Executive committee, reported on the meeting held on Thursday,

July 17, 2008.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #3)

 

Academic Affairs

 

Mr. LaSalle, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held on July 17, 2008.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #4)

 

Finance

 

Dr. Roberts, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held on July 17, 2008.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #5)

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF AD HOC NOMINATING COMMITTEE

 

Chair Lukens announced the appointments to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee as follows:

 

            Chair:              Alan T. Ackerman

            Members:        Samuel S. Benedict and Mary C. Lukens

 

 

ASNMU REPORT

 

Mr. Hobie Webster, 2008-2009 ASNMU President, reported.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (See Addendum #6).  Mr. Webster thanked Mr. Cloyd and Steelcase, Inc. for the generous donation of furniture for the ASNMU office.

 

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS

 

        It was moved by Mr. LaSalle, seconded by Mr. Benedict, 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, SEPTEMBER 25-26, 2008, MEETING OF THE BOARD

 

President Wong made this announcement for the public record. 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Mr. Ziegler and Mr. Benedict expressed the desire to develop a contingency plan in the event that NMU is unable to grow to the expected goal of 10,400 students.  That is, what are the risks, benefits, and consequences of smaller than expected student enrollment over the coming years.  It was suggested this be a topic for the focus discussion at either the September or December meeting. 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Lukens adjourned the meeting at 11:35 a.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

Theresa M. Nease

Secretary of the Board