Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Formal Session
of
A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, May 3, 2012 in the Cohodas Hall of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602 Cohodas by Chair Brian D. Cloyd.
Trustees present included:
Mr. Brian D. Cloyd, Chair Mr. Jon G. LaSalle Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson
Mr. Stephen F. Adamini Dr. L. Garnet Lewis Mr. Gilbert L. Ziegler
Mr. Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. Mr. Richard M. Popp Dr. Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
Senior staff and counsel present included:
Ms. Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel
Dr. Paul Lang, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board
Ms. Theresa M. Nease, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board
Dr. John MacDevitt, Counseling Psychology/Professor-Counseling and Consultation Services, addressed the Board regarding his concerns with the negotiations with the UAW Local 1950 union, particularly in the area of salary and health care benefits.
Ms. Rachelle Giuliani, former NMU student, addressed the Board regarding her concerns with the University’s autonomy from the State, administrative positions being filled with business and political people instead of academics, and the separation between administration and the faculty and staff. She said the result of all of this is the disappearance of passion for teaching and learning.
Dr. Ronald Sundell, President of the American Association of University Professors, addressed the Board regarding the reduction of the quality of education as a result of low staffing and reduction of faculty salaries and benefits.
Dr. Frankie McCormick, Associate Professor-Department of Chemistry, addressed the Board regarding the inability to meet the demand for CH321 Organic Chemistry due to staffing levels and the difficulty of recruiting trained chemists to fill temporary positions.
Ms. Michelle Kimball, President of UAW Local 1950, addressed the Board regarding the UAW Local 1950 negotiations citing low wages and the additional burden of increased health insurance premiums and co-pays. She implored the Board and administration to work with the union to fund an equitable contract.
FOCUS DISCUSSION:
President Les Wong and Vice President Gavin Leach presented on formula funding proposals and what the impact of each would be on NMU (Addendum #1). Discussion followed.
RECONVENE – Chair Cloyd reconvened the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING STUDENT SPEAKING AT SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Mr. Bernard introduced Mr. Youngjong Lee from Seoul, Korea, who will represent the graduating class at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow. He is graduating with a Media Production and New Technology major. On behalf of the Board, Chair Cloyd congratulated Mr. Lee and presented him with a plaque. A photo was taken.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER AND HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT
President Wong announced The Honorable Ada E. Deer, Former Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior and Distinguished Lecturer Emerita, School of Social Work and American Indian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, as the Spring 2012 Commencement Speaker. Ms. Deer will also receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Mr. Justin Brugman, 2011-2012 ASNMU President reported on ASNMU activities during the past academic year.
Mr. Benjamin Stanley, 2012-2013 ASNMU President reported on ASNMU plans for the upcoming academic year. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #2).
Chair Cloyd congratulated Mr. Brugman on his success and presented him with a gift on behalf of the Board. A photo was taken.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Wong introduced Mr. Erik Soderman, NCAA National Champion in Cross Country Skiing. Mr. Soderman was joined by his coach, Mr. Sten Fjeldheim, his parents, Agneta and Begnt-Ake Soderman from Sweden, and his sister Marie-Helen Soderman. Marie-Helen also skied for NMU and is an All American. A photo was taken.
President Wong discussed the acquisition of Marquette General Health Systems by Duke LifePointe and the potential opportunities for Northern Michigan University. Three general areas of discussion will be sports medicine and a connection to the USOEC and varsity teams, health education, and joint research.
President Wong discussed the future of the USOEC and NMU’s relationships with the National Governing Boards. NMU signed an agreement recently with USA Wrestling for their continued presence at NMU. Discussions are still underway with USA Weightlifting and USA Speedskating.
President Wong reviewed a recent request from the Governor’s office to convene of group of area economic leaders and stakeholders to identify obstacles in the way of economic prosperity in the Upper Peninsula as well as to identify specific solutions to allow for long-term sustainable growth. The presidents of the three Upper Peninsula universities will be preparing a white paper for submission to the Governor by June 1, 2012.
President Wong said the charge to the new Athletic Director will be to review the strategic issues discussed over the last year by the Board including the investment in club sports and the review of varsity sports. He praised the Athletic Department team for their work over the past year during the absence of the Athletic Director.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Affairs
Dr. Lewis, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held Thursday, May 3, 2012. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3).
Mr. Adamini, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held Thursday, May 3, 2012. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #4).
Executive
Mr. LaSalle, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on meetings held on Thursday, February 16, 2012 and Thursday,
May 3, 2012. A copy of the reports are appended to these minutes (Addendums #5 and #6).
The following actions were approved:
It was moved by Trustee Adamini, seconded by Trustee Lewis, and supported by the Board of Trustees to grant Trustee Emeritus status to Dr. Douglas Roberts and Mr. Larry Inman.
It was moved by Trustee LaSalle, seconded by Trustee Lewis, and supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University and the Northern Michigan University Foundation.
Ad Hoc Strategic Planning
It was moved by Trustee LaSalle, seconded by Trustee Wilkinson, and supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations. (Addendum #9)
OTHER
Dr. Wong announced Ms. Martha Haynes’s promotion to Vice President for Advancement effective July 1, 2012 and applauded her efforts in fund raising this past year in a challenging economy and the reorganization of the NMU Foundation Office. Ms. Haynes has been charged with doubling the endowment, to build productivity and capacity in corporate giving, and to build relationships between the University and significant entities at the state and regional levels.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, JULY 11-12, 2012 MEETING OF THE BOARD
President Wong made this announcement for the public record. He reminded the Board that the University will be operating under four-ten work weeks starting May 14 which results in the Board meeting being held on Wednesday and Thursday.
Chair Cloyd adjourned the meeting at11:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Theresa M. Nease
Secretary of the Board