SUMMARY

Board of Trustees

Academic Affairs Committee

December 13, 2012

Members Present:  Dr. L. Garnet Lewis, Chair, Mr. Jon LaSalle, Mr. Richard Popp, Dr. H. Sook

Wilkinson

Other Members Present:  Mr. Brian Cloyd, Mr. Stephen Gulis, Mr. Gil Ziegler, Dr. Paul Lang, Dr. David Haynes, ex officio

The Academic Affairs Committee meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m.

Academic Senate Update

Dr. Larry Pagel, Chair of the Academic Senate, provided a summary of Senate activities and announced that the Academic Senate approved the recommendations from the Liberal Studies Reform Task Force at its December 4, 2012 meeting. 

Charter School Contract Authorization:  Experiencia Preparatory Academy

Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, presented a proposal to approve a five year contract with Experiencia Preparatory Academy commencing July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2018. 

After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the charter contract. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.

Electronic Transcript System

Ms. Kim Rotundo, Registrar, discussed a new automated transcript processing and electronic transcript service that provides students with 24-hour on-line ordering.  The service is coordinated by the National Student Clearinghouse and provides electronic copies of official transcripts within minutes of the request.

Wildland Firefighting Certificate Program

Dr. Paul Lang, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, proposed a new Wildland Firefighting minor and certificate program.  This program will provide students with 13 nationally recognized certifications and hands-on work and field experience.  The program is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013.

After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the Wildland Firefighting Certificate Program.  This motion is part of the formal recommendations.

Center for Innovation & Industrial Technologies

Dr. Paul Lang, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented a proposal to create the Center for Innovation & Industrial Technologies.  The Center’s mission is to provide students and employers with the required technical support and professional skills necessary to positively impact industry in the region and nation.  The Center will include the Technology and Occupational Sciences Department, the Engineering Technology Department and the Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development.

After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees approval to establish the Center for Innovation and Industrial Technologies.  This motion is part of the formal recommendations.

Martin Luther King Day Observance

Dr. Paul Lang, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, proposed to the Committee that Northern Michigan University cancel classes in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  Offices will remain open and staff will report to work.  The 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic calendars will be revised accordingly.

After a motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees approval to cancel classes in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  This motion is part of the formal recommendations. 

Sabbatical Report

Dr. Paul Lang, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, provided information on sabbatical leave applications.  Nine NMU faculty members have been awarded sabbaticals that will take place during the 2013-14 academic year.

Good of the Order

Dr. Paul Lang, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, discussed the following items:

Liberal Studies:  The Academic Senate approved the administrative structure of the revised General Education program.  The next step, planned for winter semester, is to elect the General Education Council and develop outcome objectives for the six divisions.

Veterans Update:  NMU has been selected as a host campus for a new campus-based veterans outreach service.  A veteran’s representative will be housed on campus and provide veterans with information, support and access to benefits.

Retention Update:  Results from the retention enhancement initiatives will be analyzed at the conclusion of fall semester.  We project a second semester attrition rate of 12.6% which is a gain of approximately 50 students. 

Korea Follow-up:  Ms. Miriam Moeller, International Programs, will travel to South Korea in January to follow-up with each of the institutions visited by Trustee Wilkinson, President Haynes and Provost Lang in October.  She will also visit and build relationships with high schools.

Macomb Community College Agreement:  NMU has signed a MOU with Macomb Community College to offer a bachelor’s degree program in loss prevention.  Classes will begin in the winter 2013 semester.

Awards and Recognitions:

• Dr. Kurt Galbreath, Assistant Professor in Biology, is one of three principle investigators working on an NSF funded project, “Collaborative Research:  RUI-Integrated Inventory of Biomes of the Arctic.  NMU’s award is $225,000.
• Student Affairs:  The Superior Edge program (Silver Certificate) and the Student Leader Fellowship Program (Bronze Certificate) have been recognized for excellence by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
• Dr. Tawni Ferrarini, is a recipient of the 2012 Albert Beekhuis Award, a national accolade granted by the Council for Economic Education. 
• Ms. Lisa Fay Coutley, a recent MFA graduate, has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Poetry for $25,000.

Dr. Lewis thanked the Committee and the meeting was adjourned at 2:27 p.m.