SUMMARY
Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees
Academic Affairs Committee
April 30, 2015
Members Present: Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, Chair, Dr. L. Garnet Lewis, Mr. Steve Mitchell
Others Present: Mr. Richard Popp, Ms. Tami Seavoy, Dr. Sook Wilkinson, Dr. Lesley Larkin, Dr. Fritz Erickson, ex officio
The Academic Affairs Committee meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m.
Academic Senate Update
Professor Rachel Nye, Chair of the Academic Senate, provided the Committee with a summary of standing committee activities for the 2014-15 academic year.
The Committee members also discussed the possibility of developing a process/structure for interacting with faculty at future Board meetings.
Charter School Board Renewals/Appointments
Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, proposed new board member appointments and reappointments for North Star Academy, Bahweting Public School Academy, Burton Glen Academy, East Shore Academy, Francis Reh Academy, George Crockett Academy, South Point Academy, Experiencia Preparatory Academy and Walton Academy.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the board member appointments. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Charter School Reauthorization – Bahweting Public School Academy
Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, recommended approval of a resolution to issue a charter to Bahweting Public School Academy covering the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2020.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the resolution for Bahweting Public School Academy. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Charter School Reauthorization – Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy
Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, recommended approval of a resolution to issue a charter to Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy covering the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2020.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the resolution for Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy. The motion was approved with two (2) for the motion and one (1) against. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Charter School Contract Extension
Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, recommended approval of a one-year contract extension for Experiencia Preparatory Academy covering the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of a one year contract extension for Experiencia Preparatory Academy covering the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Centralized Advising Program
Dr. Robert Winn, Associate Dean of General Education and Retention, and Mr. Jim Gadzinski, Director of the Academic and Career Advisement Center, discussed the new Centralized Advising program which will be implemented in summer 2015. All new freshmen will be advised by professional advisers from the Academic and Career Advisement Center (ACAC) for their first academic year.
Center for Native American Studies Update
Professor April Lindala, Director of the Center for Native American Studies, discussed the academic contributions, student learning and research opportunities provided by the Center for Native American Studies.
New Program Approvals
Dr. Lesley Larkin, Acting Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, proposed the following new programs: Paralegal Certificate scheduled to begin fall 2015 and Manufacturing Production Technician Diploma scheduled to begin in June 2015.
The Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the Paralegal certificate and Manufacturing Production Technician diploma programs. The motion passed and is part of the formal recommendations.
Program Deletions
Dr. Lesley Larkin, Acting Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs presented a proposal to delete the Planning baccalaureate program, the Technical Communications baccalaureate program, the Collision Repair Technology diploma program and the Plastic Injection Technology certificate program.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the deletion of the Planning, Technical Communications, Collision Repair Technology and Plastic Injection Technology programs. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Dr. Zurbuchen thanked the Committee and the meeting was adjourned at 2:32 p.m.