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 Friday, May 4, 2007, in the
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:
Michael J. Roy, Vice President 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
R. Gavin Leach, Assoc. Vice President for Finance and Planning
Catherine L. Dehlin, General 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 8:05 a.m., on May 4, 2007, 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. Adamini
Mr. Benedict
Mr. Cloyd
Mr. LaSalle
Ms. Lukens
Dr. Roberts
Mr. Ziegler
None
The resolution was thus approved unanimously.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
The Board of Trustees recognized Dr. Fred Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Chair Lukens thanked Dr. Joyal for his work in support of the University and presented him with an engraved world time clock in appreciation for his dedication and for "expanding our world."
Chair Lukens recessed the meeting at 8:05 a.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Lukens reconvened the meeting at 1:35 p.m.
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:
Michael J. Roy, Vice President 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
R. Gavin Leach, Assoc. Vice President for Finance and Planning
Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel
MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENT
Mr. William Bernard, Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment, presented a memorial for Scott Gaudreau, an NMU student currently pursuing a degree in creative writing, who passed away recently following a brief illness. The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in his memory.
SPECIAL STUDENT INTRODUCTION
Chair Lukens asked Dr. Terry Seethoff, Dean of Arts and
Sciences, to introduce two special students to the Board. Dr. Seethoff
introduced students Correy Kowall and Brian Krent, who have produced two papers
documenting unique, new research in the emerging field of artificial
life. They have been invited to present the papers at the GECCO (Genetic
and Evolutionary Computation Conference) in
Trustee Ziegler advised the Board of the "Baby Grand Award", which was established by several NMU alums as a fund to honor the birth of grandchildren with a $1,000 gift to the NMU Foundation. He presented a check for $1,000 on behalf of the birth of his seventh grandchild.
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Mr. Bernard introduced Ms. Amanda Frederick, from
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Wong said his report will focus on the progress of
our International Programs. A copy of his report is appended to these
minutes (Addendum #1).
He advised the Board that we have completed or are in the process of completing
several signed agreements with entities in
At this time President Wong also announced that a recommendation to appoint Mr. Gavin Leach as Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees effective July 1, 2007, is in the formals. Mr. Leach is succeeding Dr. Mike Roy who will be on special assignment for the President until his retirement in 2008.
Mr. Erik Maillard, 2006-2007 ASNMU President, and Mr. Christopher Storves, 2007-2008 ASNMU President, reported. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #2). On behalf of the Board, Chair Lukens congratulated Mr. Maillard on his success and presented him with a gift on behalf of the Board. A photo was taken.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Affairs
Mr. LaSalle, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held this morning. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3). The Board acted upon the two recommended charter renewals as follows:
It was moved by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Benedict, and unanimously supported by the Board that the NMU Board of Trustees renew the Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy charter for a three-year period, from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010; and to renew the Bahweting Anishnabe Public School Academy charter for a three-year period, from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010.
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 #4).
Executive
Mr. Benedict, Chair of the Executive committee, reported on meetings held on February 22, 2007 and April 2, 2007. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #5).
AMENDMENTS TO FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS (Backup)
1. The Trustees felt that it was important to express their support for the Executive Committee's recommendation regarding President Wong's compensation and asked that it be pulled from the formals and treated as a Special Action Item. The Board then took action as follows:
It was moved by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. LaSalle, and supported unanimously by the Board that the following recommendation be pulled from the Formals and acted upon as a Special Action Item as follows:
It is recommended that, following the Executive Committee's annual presidential compensation review as specified in the Presidential Employment Agreement, President Leslie E. Wong's 2007-2008 base salary be increased from $170,000 to $185,000 and that the amount of deferred compensation be increased from $35,000 to $45,000.
2. Trustee Adamini said that due to involvement of his law firm, he will abstain from voting on two property easement recommendations included in the formals. The Trustees asked that the easements be pulled from the formals and treated as a Special Action Item. The Board then took action as follows:
It was moved by Dr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Ziegler, and with Mr. Adamini abstaining, supported unanimously by the remaining Trustees that the following recommendation be pulled from the Formals and acted upon as a Special Action Item as follows:
It is recommended that the University approve the Agreement to Release Negative Easement between NMU and Marquette General Hospital; and the Easement Agreement between NMU and First Baptist Church. Copies of the agreements are on file with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
It was moved by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. LaSalle, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations, as amended.
At this time Mr. Ziegler advised the Board that as newly appointed Trustees, he and Mr. Adamini have received strong input from the Governor's Office and from the Senate regarding controlling costs. He suggested that at the July Board meeting when we discuss our financial situation, we should be able to share our success stories, to explain that because of everything we have done, this is how we have reduced the rate of increase of costs.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY-FRIDAY, JULY 19-20, 2007, MEETING OF THE BOARD
President Wong made this announcement for the public record.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) AMICUS REQUEST
President Wong, Ms. Dehlin, and NMU faculty representative
Dr. Ray Ventre discussed a request for amicus support by the
Ms. Dehlin briefed the Board on the issue; should NMU join UofM in the position that its employees' unlisted home addresses and telephone numbers should be exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. She reviewed the current status of the case and provided additional background information on the case. She recommended that the Board consider joining the collective amicus effort.
Discussion followed and Ms. Dehlin responded to questions and comments from Trustees. It was the consensus of the Board to support the recommendation to join the collective amicus effort. Ms. Dehlin will follow through.
SAFETY UPDATE
President Wong and Public Safety and Police Services Director Ken Chant reported on campus safety policies and procedures (Addendum #7). President Wong said that we have reviewed our materials in light of the Virginia Tech tragedy and have held discussions on campus about safety and emergency procedures.
Director Chant reviewed the policies and procedures in place at NMU and noted that the campus has had emergency processes in place since the 1980's. These policies and procedures are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. He said that the training we provide to security personnel enhances our emergency preparedness on campus. It was suggested that the Board receive periodic safety and emergency procedures updates. Discussion followed and Director Chant responded to questions and comments from Board members.
RECONVENE -- Chair Lukens reconvened the meeting at 3:08 p.m.
FOCUS DISCUSSION: Enrollment Challenges Ahead (Addendum #8)
President Wong and members of the staff presented information on the enrollment challenges ahead. President Wong said we hope to focus the Board's attention on future issues. He said that in addition to the Board having the data, he would like Trustees to have a sense of the strategic issues that will connect to policy decisions in the future. The purpose today is to help the Trustees focus on what issues and decisions we will face in the future, to the year 2015. He reminded the Trustees that NMU is one of the few campuses that continues to grow and has increased its enrollment by almost one third since 1999. He also pointed out that while our efforts toward continued growth have been successful, it has been very challenging to grow as surrounding high school graduate populations continue to decline. He also said that today's presentation does not focus on data. The questions and comments raised by Trustees today will help the staff determine specific data sets that we should share with the Board in the future. Today's discussion is focused on future policy and direction.
Mr. Bernard began the presentation by noting that for the benefit of the new Trustees, we have included background information to introduce the topic. He said that the staff members hope to engage the Board in a discussion of future directions and to listen to what the Trustees have to say about future policy and direction. Mr. Bernard, Dr. Paul Duby, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research, and Communications and Marketing Director Cindy Paavola, assisted by Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Cindy Paavola and Director of Admissions Gerri Daniels, reviewed the recruitment cycle, recruitment regions and changes in admissions recruiting. They reviewed information on NMU's market share in several regions as well as possible new markets and new student groups to serve. They discussed future marketing challenges and reviewed our constant recruiting elements. They noted how changes in the recruiting environment, policy issues, physical plant, staffing, tuition and curriculum will affect future recruitment efforts. Staff members responded to questions on topics such as recruiting geography, media use in recruitment, application fees, enrollment capacity and incremental cost of educating students.
President Wong concluded the focus discussion by adding that today's session has set the stage for the Board to focus on four specific future policy questions in greater detail at upcoming meetings. For example, the tuition discussion will occur during the July 2007 Board meeting.
1) Physical Plant – How can we reconnect functionality and space allocation?
2) Staffing – What should be our basic benchmarks?
3) Tuition – How do we re-establish a closer connection between value and cost, value and enrollment?
4) Curriculum – What are the hallmarks of an attractive curriculum?
Trustee LaSalle suggested that the Board have more time for in depth discussion following presentations. Trustee Ziegler suggested that the July tuition discussion include several scenarios on enrollment, etc. President Wong said we will use Mr. Leach's financial model to present scenarios during the tuition/budget discussion in July.
Chair Lukens adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Pamalene R. Grundstrom
Secretary of the Board