Proposed
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, April 29, 2011 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 Dr. L. Garnet Lewis Mr. Gilbert L. Ziegler
Mr. Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. Mr. Richard M. Popp Dr. Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
Mr. Jon G. LaSalle Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson
Trustee absent included:
Mr. Stephen F. Adamini
Senior staff and counsel present included:
Ms. Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel
Dr. Susan J. Koch, 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
Chair Cloyd introduced and welcomed Mr. Rick Popp and Mr. Steve Gulis to the Board of Trustees.
Dr. John MacDevitt, Counseling Psychology/Professor, Counseling and Consultation Services addressed the Board regarding the need for more personal counseling services and for regular psychiatric consultation for a small portion of their clients. He also addressed the Board regarding his views on the proposed revisions to the NMU health care plan and the financial situation at NMU. He encouraged the Board and administrators to be very transparent with financial information.
Dr. Ronald Sundell, President of the American Association of University Professors addressed the Board.
He distributed two documents: ‘AAUP response to NMU President Wong’s April 20th Forum comments and the Administration’s supposed “financial crisis” and the need for health care concessions’ and a press release, ‘AAUP Position Statement: NMU Administration Proposal on Employee Health Care Concessions.’ The AAUP strongly believes there is no financial crisis and there is no need for a unilateral change to employee benefits. He encouraged the Board members to look at the information on the AAUP website, www.nmuaaup.org., implored the Board not to reduce more faculty positions as NMU faculty already have the highest faculty/student ratio in the state among NMU’s peer institutions, said the AAUP does not believe the University is in a fiscal emergency right now, and said NMU should not make decisions on a “what if” scenario. The faculty view this as a priority issue and not as a financial crisis. NMU has had a healthy union/management relationship, and Dr. Sundell stated he would like to have that continue into the future. He asked the Board to support the campus unions and continue to support the campus employees against this assault on unions throughout the community and the State.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mr. William Bernard, Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment, presented memorials for Derrick Briones, an 18-year-old freshman from Ishpeming planning on pursuing a degree in Business who died unexpectedly on February 24, 2011; for Dennis Farr, a 24-year-old sophomore Business major from White Lake, Michigan, who died unexpectedly on March 6, 2011; and for Corrine Fraley Adamini Johnson, a student native to Marquette who was scheduled to graduate tomorrow in the Licensed Practical Nursing program who died unexpectedly on
Tuesday, April 26.
A moment of silence was observed on their behalf.
FOCUS DISCUSSION:
Mr. Chuck Reed, Senior Vice President for Client Services at Stamats, Inc., presented a plan for a branding study of NMU (Addendum # 1). He responded to questions and comments from the Trustees and the audience.
RECONVENE – Chair Cloyd reconvened the meeting at 10:32 a.m.
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING STUDENT SPEAKING AT SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Mr. Bernard introduced Mr. Andrew Foster, from Ishpeming, MI, who will represent the graduating class at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow. He is graduating with a Accounting/Corporate Finance major. On behalf of the Board, Chair Cloyd congratulated Mr. Foster and presented him with a plaque. A photo was taken.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER AND HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT
President Wong announced Dr. Mark Lovell, Retired Professor and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program, as the Spring 2011 Commencement Speaker. Dr. Lovell will also receive an Honorary Doctor of Science.
Ms. Courtney Russell, Winter 2011 ASNMU President introduced Mr. Justin Brugman, 2011-2012 ASNMU President. Ms. Russell reported on ASNMU activities during 2010-2011, and Mr. Brugman reported on ASNMU plans for 2011-2012. In response to a question from a Trustee, Ms. Russell said the majority of students support including the athletic fee in tuition. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #2).
Chair Cloyd congratulated Ms. Russell on her success and presented her with a gift on behalf of the Board. A photo was taken.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Wong introduced Prof. Peter Pless of the School of Art and Design. Professor Pless traveled to Milan, Italy with a group of 17 NMU human-centered design students to show their exhibit-quality prototypes at the Milan International Furniture Fair. This Fair is regarded as the world's most important design show. The Board viewed a short video clip which showcased the students’ work.
President Wong reported on The Couch Show, a collaborative project between three Art and Design students and the NMU Foundation staff. The students put an old sofa (indicative of a dorm room sofa) around campus and asked students to take their pictures while on the couch answering two questions related to their NMU experience. These photos will be displayed in a book that will be used in an upcoming donor campaign.
President Wong reported on the challenges and successes of the past academic year stating that NMU has a phenomenal group of faculty, staff and students. He encouraged the Board to go to www.nmu.edu/roadmap and view all of the Roadmap updates. Students and faculty are making the best of the opportunities presented. Staff has also risen to the challenges of the campus threat on February 2 and President Obama’s visit on February 10. Dr Wong said he is proud and honored to be the President of a university where everyone is operating at a 100 plus percent and where everyone cares about the student experience. The faculty, staff, and students are a team and have put Northern Michigan University into the national limelight.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Affairs
Dr. Lewis, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held Thursday, April 28, 2011. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3).
Mr. Cloyd, Acting Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held Thursday, April 28, 2011. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #4).
Executive
Mr. LaSalle, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on the meeting held on April 28, 2011. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #5).
The following actions were approved:
It was moved by Trustee LaSalle, seconded by Trustee Wilkinson, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees that:
there be no increase in presidential compensation this year due to the State’s economic outlook and the condition of Northern Michigan University’s internal budget;
the President’s contract be renewed for one year; and
the Presidential Goals for 2011-2012 be approved. The areas of concentration for these goals include: 1) Enrollment and Retention 2) Roadmap Initiatives 3) Revenue Enhancement 4) Leadership Enhancement, and 5) Discretionary.
Ad Hoc Strategic Planning
APPOINTMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEES
Chair Cloyd reviewed the Board’s progression in reviewing specific key issues of the University. As it is difficult to spend enough time in standing committees exploring these subjects, the Board previously created two ad hoc committees (Enrollment and Retention and Strategic Planning). The ad hoc Enrollment and Retention Committee has been folded back into the Academic Affairs Committee. The Strategic Planning Committee has been meeting over the last year and has resulted in a branding study to be developed by Stamats, Inc. This ad hoc Committee will continue to meet in the future. During the February Board of Trustees retreat there was comprehensive discussion on how the Board would continue the practice to explore key issues affecting the University. As a result, two subcommittees were identified. Chair Cloyd asked the two subcommittee chairs to develop a work plan for the subcommittees and to report back to the full Board.
The following action was approved:
It was moved by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee LaSalle, and supported by the Board of Trustees to create the following subcommittees with the following 2011 membership:
Faculty Work Sub Committee Alternative Funding Sub Committee
(Under Academic Affairs) (Under Finance)
Rick Popp, Chair Steve Gulis. Chair
Jack LaSalle Steve Adamini
Sook Wilkinson Gil Ziegler
APPOINTMENT OF 2011-2012 EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE NMU FOUNDATION BOARD
Chair Cloyd appointed Mr. Richard M. Popp to replace Mr. Larry Inman as 2011-2012 ex officio member of the NMU Foundation Board. Other ex officio members are Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson and Mr. Gilbert Ziegler.
BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE CHANGE
Mr. Cloyd proposed that the Thursday/Friday July 14-15, 2011 Board meeting be changed to Wednesday/Thursday, July 13-14, 2011 to accommodate the change in University hours to Monday-Thursday, 10-hour days, for the summer months.
The following action was approved:
It was moved by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee Popp, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the July 14-15, 2011 NMU Board of Trustees meeting date change to July 13-14, 2011.
It was moved by Trustee LaSalle, seconded by Trustee Wilkinson, and supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations. (Addendum #7)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE JULY 2011 MEETING OF THE BOARD
President Wong made this announcement for the public record.
Chair Cloyd adjourned the meeting at 11:36 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Theresa M. Nease
Secretary of the Board