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, December 14, 2012, in the Whitman Commons, Whitman Hall, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 8:03 a.m. by Chair Brian D. Cloyd.
Trustees present included:
Brian D. Cloyd, Chair L. Garnet Lewis Gilbert L. Ziegler
Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. Richard M. Popp David S. Haynes, ex officio
Jon G. LaSalle H. Sook Wilkinson
Trustees absent included:
Stephen F. Adamini
Senior staff and counsel present included:
Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel
Paul L. Lang, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board
Theresa M. Nease, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board
Chair Cloyd welcomed and introduced NMU’s two new Board members, Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and Mr. Steven Mitchell, who will begin their terms effective January 1, 2013.
Mr. Ron Sundell, President of the AAUP Union, addressed the Board. He thanked outgoing Board members Trustee Cloyd and Trustee LaSalle for their dedication and hard work on behalf of NMU. He has enjoyed the collaboration the Board has had with the AAUP faculty and hopes that will continue on into the future with the addition of the two new Board members. He appreciates the efforts of the Board to understand the work of the faculty by the creation of the Faculty Works Committee and encouraged the Board to offer the same to the other unions on campus by trying to understand their work. He has concerns today surrounding the Right to Work law recently passed by the legislature which he believes will jeopardize the trust and good working relationship as many unions on campus and elsewhere try to develop a good working relationship with management. He looks forward to working with the Board as it is here today and with the new members who are not here to serve the Governor but are here to serve the University and the students. He hopes that the good working relationships here will hold in spite of the different politics that are going on today.
MOMENTS OF SILENCE
Vice President Leach read a memorial for Mr. Michael Turino, Coordinator of Academic Support Services and the Academic and Career Advisement Center in the Jacobetti Complex, who passed away on October 29, 2012. The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in his memory.
President Haynes said he was struck by the culture of NMU and the Upper Peninsula in their response to the recent drowning of Ms. Arianna Alioto, an NMU student and Women’s Soccer Team member. The outpouring of support from the University and surrounding community to Ms. Alioto’ family, the soccer team, students, and those that assisted during the tragedy is clearly what makes this community different. He recognized Katie Theut, Connor Greer, and Kelly Aldridge, who did heroic jobs in attempting to save Ms. Alioto; Dr. Chris Greer, who has done an amazing job working with the Alioto family and the Athletics Department Staff,; and Mr. Forrest Karr and Ms. Bridget Berube from the administrative staff who have given their all in the aftermath of this tragedy.
Provost Lang read a memorial for Ms. Arianna Alioto, who passed away on November 30, 2012. The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in her memory.
MOMENT IN NMU HISTORY
Dr. Russell Magnaghi, University Historian, presented on the history of commencement at NMU. The first commencement was held on July 3, 1900 with three students participating in the ceremony in the old City Hall. All NMU offered at that point was teaching certificates as baccalaureate degrees were not offered until the 1920s. At that time there was only one commencement ceremony a year until 1959, at which time there were three (January, June and July/August). The summer commencement was not held after 1989 as it was too expensive. In 1972 there were four commencements (January, June, August and December). Now there are two per year.
In the early days there were small numbers of people graduating so they were held on campus. As they got larger they were held in the Marquette Opera House and then Kaye Hall, which was a 1,500 seat auditorium. In 1957 commencement ceremonies were moved to the Hedgcock Fieldhouse. Since 1993 they have been held in the Superior Dome.
In the beginning, females wore white dresses and males wore suits. Caps and gowns were worn for the first time in 1907. Faculty started wearing academic robes for the first time in Spring of 1940. The University Mace represents the authority of the university to grant degrees. The first one made was made on campus and was first carried on October 14, 1969 for President Jamrich’s inauguration. It was carried by the oldest faculty member who at the time was Dr. Magnaghi. The Mace was not particularly good looking and for a variety of reasons fell into disuse. In December of 1998 as the University moved toward the Centennial Provost Beukema wanted to use the mace again. Drs. Magnaghi and Kordich contributed to the making of the new mace, which was made out of U.P. materials (iron, copper, and maple) by Art and Design Professor, Dale Wedig.
The first televised ceremony was in the winter of 1963 while WNMU was on cable. The first honorary degree was given to Mr. Fred A. Jeffers in 1949. Honorary degrees have also been given to Mr. George H. W. Bush in 1973 when he was head of the CIA, Hubert Humphrey in 1966, Governor William G. Milliken in 1969, Mr. George Romney in 1975, and Mr. John D. Voelker in 1958, among others.
JAMRICH BUILDING UPDATE
Mr. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Ms. Martha Haynes, Vice President for University Advancement, presented on the construction of the new Jamrich Building and the naming possibilities associated with the rooms and space within the building. (Addendum # 1)
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT MIDYEAR COMMENCEMENT
Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment, Mr. William Bernard, announced that Mr. Kevin Rush, an Environmental Conservation Major from Royal Oak, MI will represent the graduating class of Winter 2012 at Commencement ceremonies tomorrow. On behalf of the Board, Chair Cloyd congratulated
Mr. Rush and presented him with a plaque. A photo was taken.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER AND HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT
President Haynes announced that Mr. R. D. Musser, III, President of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, will be the December 2012 Commencement Speaker and will receive the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Business.
Ms. Liddia Wells and Ms. Taylor Johnson, Co-presidents of the Black Student Union presented. A copy of their report is appended to these minutes
Mr. Benjamin Stanley, 2012-2013 ASNMU President, reported. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Ms. Felecia Flack, Director-Information Services, and Mr. Chris Lewis, Information Systems Manager, demonstrated a new NMU Mobile App. (Addendum #4)
President Haynes introduced Ms. Kate Sartori, Resident Director Housing and Residence Life, who received the 2012 Harbor of Light Award from the Women’s Center given annually to an individual committed to promoting the mission and vision of the Women’s Center/Harbor House in Marquette. She earned the honor for her integral role in founding the grassroots NMU student organization Women for Women. The Board recognized Ms. Sartori and members of the Women for Women’s Group with applause.
President Haynes informed the Board of Trustees that he approved the name change of the “Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Committee (ECDC)” to “The Committee on Diversity” on October 24, 2012, at the request of the Committee.
President Haynes updated the Board on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NMU and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
President Haynes referenced items distributed to Board members including Anishnabe News, the Upward Initiatives Overview and Analysis of Passenger Air Service in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, an insert on NMU published in The Mining Journal, and a Hockey Puck advertising NMU’s economic impact of $311 million.
President Haynes updated the Board on two recent community outreach trips taken by a bus load of NMU staff to Iron Mountain (October 2) and Escanaba (October 9).
President Haynes gave an update on a recent trip to S. Korea.
President Haynes announced that NMU is in receipt of an estate gift from a 1940 NMU alum who passed away, part of which will be used to construct the Waino Watera pavilion. It will be a 200-300 seat pavilion and will be built next to Carey Hall.
President Haynes updated the Board on a recent visit to President Emeritus Bill Vandament.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Affairs
Dr. Lewis, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held on Thursday, December 13, 2012. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #5).
Mr. Adamini, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held on Friday, December 13, 2012. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #6).
The Board took the following action:
Executive
Mr. LaSalle, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on a meeting held on Thursday, December 13, 2012. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #7).
The Board took the following action:
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2013
Chair-elect Lewis announced that the recommended 2013 NMU Board of Trustees Standing Committee Appointments are included in the formals (Formal Recommendation E-1). The appointments are as follows:
2013 NMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES STANDING COMMITTEES
Academic Affairs Finance Executive
H. Sook Wilkinson, Chair Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., Chair Richard M. Popp, Chair
Gilbert L. Ziegler Steven F. Adamini H. Sook Wilkinson
Steven M. Mitchell Thomas H. Zurbuchen Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.
L. Garnet Lewis, ex officio L. Garnet Lewis, ex officio L. Garnet Lewis, ex officio
David S. Hayne, ex officio David S. Haynes, ex officio David S. Haynes, ex officio
Chair-elect Lewis also announced the ex officio appointments of Mr. Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. and
Mr. Stephen M. Mitchell to the NMU Foundation Board of Trustees for calendar year 2013.
Trustee Popp suggested that the Committee structures be revised so that Dr. Zurbuchen serves on the Academic Affairs Committee and Mr. Steven Mitchell serves on the Finance Committee.
The Board took the following action:
It was moved by Trustee Lewis and seconded by Trustee LaSalle to approve the Formal Recommendations.
It was unanimously supported by
the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations as amended.
(Addendum #8)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED INFORMAL SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2013, MEETING OF THE BOARD
President Haynes made this announcement for the public record.
RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING CHAIR
Chair-elect Lewis recognized outgoing Chair Cloyd for his service to NMU. President Haynes and Chair-elect Lewis presented Chair Cloyd with engraved marble bookends, a photo album commemorating his service as Chairman of the NMU Board of Trustees and a signed resolution. A photo was taken.
Chair-elect Lewis recognized outgoing Board of Trustee Member LaSalle for his service at NMU. President Haynes and Chair-elect Lewis presented Trustee LaSalle with a photo album commemorating his service on the NMU Board of Trustees and a signed resolution. A photo was taken.
Chair Cloyd adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Theresa M. Nease
Secretary of the Board