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, July 18, 2014 in the University Center of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 10:01 a.m. in the Marquette/Nicolet/Cadillac Rooms by Chair Richard M. Popp.
Trustees present included:
Mr. Richard M. Popp, Chair Mr. Steven M. Mitchell Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen
Mr. Stephen F. Adamini Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson Dr. Fritz J. Erickson, ex officio
Mr. Scott L. Holman Mr. Gilbert L. Ziegler
Trustees absent included:
Dr. L. Garnet Lewis
Senior staff and counsel present included:
Dr. Paul L. Lang, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
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, Administrative Assistant and Acting Secretary of the Board
Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel
Absent included:
Ms. Martha B. Haynes, Vice President for Advancement
Chair Popp welcomed NMU’s new President, Dr. Fritz J. Erickson.
There were none.
FOCUS DISCUSSION:
Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration, presented the General Fund and Designated Fund Budget Recommendations for fiscal year 2014-15. (Addendum #1)
It was moved by Trustee Holman and seconded by Trustee Mitchell to approve the 2014-15 Designated Fund Operating Budget and General Fund Operating Budget.
Discussion followed.
Trustee Mitchell thanked Mr. Leach for his continued good work on the University budgets and making cuts where they had to be made due to the declining enrollment.
Trustee Ziegler said that he hopes that the University continues the process of looking at ways to make cuts where necessary when enrollment numbers are back up. He also asked if the increase in minimum wage could be offset with federal funds.
Mr. Leach said that there are caps set on the amount of dollars received for federal work study. Mr. Leach further stated that unless the caps are increased, we will reach the cap much sooner with the minimum wage increase. There are also students who are employed at NMU outside of the work study program. Approximately 3,000 students are employed at NMU.
After discussion, the following action was taken:
The motion was unanimously approved by a voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive
Mr. Popp, Acting Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on the meeting held on Thursday, July 17, 2014. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #2.)
Mr. Popp said the Executive Committee is recommending that Past President David S. Haynes be promoted to the rank of full professor effective August 20, 2014 as agreed upon at the time he was appointed President.
The Board took the following action:
It was moved by Trustee Popp and seconded by Trustee Mitchell to promote Past President David S. Haynes to the rank of full professor effective August 20, 2014.
Discussion followed.
Trustee Adamini asked if this was part of the contract. Chair Popp said it was not formally written in the contract but he did follow up with then-Chair Brian Cloyd and Vice Chair Jack LaSalle and this was always part of the agreement. Trustee Adamini asked if this would result in an increase in compensation when Dr. Haynes returns to teaching – will he be compensated at the President level. Chair Popp would like to follow up with this as Dr. Haynes still has a year left on the contract. The current motion does not contain language regarding any compensation. He will make sure that this is part of the Executive Committee discussion and bring any compensation discussion back to the full Board.
After discussion, the following action was taken:
The motion to promote Past President David S. Haynes to the rank of full professor effective August 20, 2014 carried five to one.
APPOINTMENT OF AD HOC NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Chair Popp announced the appointments to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee as follows:
Chair: Dr. L. Garnet Lewis
Members: Mr. Scott L. Holman
Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen
The Committee will make a recommendation of Chair and Vice Chair for 2015 at the September 2014 meeting.
It was moved by Trustee Adamini and seconded by Trustee Mitchell to amend the Formals to remove Item E(2) and that it be deferred for consideration by the Board at the September 2014 meeting.
Trustee Adamini explained that this item is a restructuring area and with the new President only being at NMU for two weeks, this item should be removed to allow the President time to review this restructure to determine if this is the alignment he wants for this position.
Discussion followed.
Trustee Mitchell thanked Mr. Art Gischia, who is being given Emeritus status in the Formals, for his time at the university as he was an outstanding asset to Northern Michigan University.
Chair Popp said that with the attention in the media to charter schools, he appreciates the good work being done by the University to continually clarify and keep a sharp eye and oversight on our charter schools, and continue to make sure that we are doing all we can to execute the University’s mission, including the role of the Charter Schools, especially in under-privileged communities.
Trustee Wilkinson said that we are approving appointments and reappointments of our Charter Schools board members and asked if these have been vetted through our Charter Schools office. They have been vetted.
Trustee Ziegler asked if we encourage our charter schools to be transparent financially, even those who have a management company. President Erickson said we require them to be transparent under the structure of the charter schools laws and our role as a charter schools authorizer.
After discussion, the following action was taken:
The motion to approve the Formal Recommendations as amended was unanimously approved. (Addendum #3)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 SESSIONS OF THE BOARD
President Erickson made this announcement for the public record.
Chair Popp adjourned the meeting at 10:51 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Cathy A. Niemi
Acting Secretary of the Board