Approved

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes of the Formal Session

of

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

 

A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 in the University Center of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened at 11:36 a.m. in the Marquette-Nicolet Room by Chair Richard M. Popp.

 

Trustees present included:

            Mr. Richard M. Popp, Chair                                 Ms. Tami M. Seavoy

            Mr. Scott L. Holman                                             Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson

            Dr. L. Garnet Lewis                                              Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen

            Mr. Robert E. Mahaney                                        Dr. Fritz J. Erickson, ex officio

            Mr. Steven M. Mitchell

 

Senior Staff and Counsel present included:

            Ms. Martha Haynes, Vice President for Advancement

            Ms. Lesley Larkin, Acting Provost and Chief Academic Officer

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

            Dr. Steven R. Neiheisel, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

            Ms. Cathy A. Niemi, Secretary of the Board of Trustees

            Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel

 

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:

 

There were none.

 

ASNMU REPORT

 

Ms. Klawes, President of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University, presented on gender inclusive housing (Addendum #1).  Ms. Klawes also reported on a faculty award voted on by the students that could be part of Commencement or the Student Leadership Award and an ASNMU referendum whereby all ASNMU policies will be revised and how ASNMU works – this referendum will be presented to the Board in the next few months.

 

CHARTER SCHOOLS

 

It was moved by Trustee Zurbuchen, seconded by Trustee Mahaney, and supported unanimously by the full Board, that upon the conclusion of North Star Academy’s current contract to charter a public school academy, Northern Michigan University will issue to North Star Academy a new contract to charter a public school academy commencing July 1, 2015 and having a two-year term that automatically renews for an additional two-year term upon the Academy’s satisfactory completion of criteria established by Northern Michigan University.  Annual updates to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees will be required for the first two years.  North Star Academy’s new contract to charter a public school academy would expire not later than June 30, 2019.  (Addendum #2)

 

 

STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015

 

It was moved by Trustee Mitchell, seconded by Trustee Wilkinson, to modify the Executive Committee make-up to remove the word “current” in the first and second bullet points so the Executive Committee would consist of the Board Chair (ex-officio), who will serve as the Chair of the Executive Committee, The Board Vice Chair, the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, the Chair of the Finance Committee, and the President of the University (ex-officio), with the provision that when the President’s compensation or evaluation is before the Committee, the President is excused unless invited to remain.

 

Discussion followed.  Chair Popp said the purpose of the modification is to allow the Board to be as efficient as possible.  Trustee Seavoy questioned whether the word “ex-officio” needed to be included.

 

It was moved by Trustee Mitchell, seconded by Trustee Wilkinson, and supported by the full Board, to modify the motion to remove the word “ex-officio” after Board Chair and President of the University.  (Addendum #3)

 

 

It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Holman, and supported by the full Board, that the 2015 Standing Committees Appointments be:

 

Academic Affairs                             Finance Committee                  Executive Committee

Thomas H. Zurbuchen, Chair            Scott L. Holman, Chair              Richard M. Popp, Chair

L. Garnet Lewis                                Robert E. Mahaney                    H. Sook Wilkinson

Steven M. Mitchell                            Tami M. Seavoy                         Thomas H. Zurbuchen

Richard M. Popp, ex officio              H. Sook Wilkinson                     Scott L. Holman

Fritz J Erickson, ex officio                Richard M. Popp, ex officio      Fritz J Erickson

                                                                  Fritz J Erickson, ex officio           

 

COUNTY ROAD 550

 

It was moved by Trustee Wilkinson, seconded by Trustee Holman, and supported by the full Board, to formally support Marquette County Road Commission’s appeal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s objection to the planned construction of 595. (Addendum #4)

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN COJUNCTION WITH THE THURSDAY, APRIL 30 - FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015, SESSIONS OF THE BOARD

 

President Erickson made this announcement for the public record. 

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE

Trustee Zurbuchen noted that this is the first meeting of the Board after the passing of Dr. Paul Lang, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, in December 2014.  He acknowledged Dr. Lang’s importance to him as the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, for the Board as a whole, and for the faculty, staff, and students of Northern Michigan University.  Chair Popp thanked Trustee Zurbuchen and asked for a moment of silence in honor of Dr. Paul Lang.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Popp adjourned the meeting at 11:51 a.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

Cathy A. Niemi

Secretary of the Board of Trustees