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 Tuesday, February 10, 2015 in the University Center of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 11:36 a.m. in the Marquette-Nicolet Room by Chair Richard M. Popp.
Trustees present included:
Mr. Richard M. Popp, Chair Ms. Tami M. Seavoy
Mr. Scott L. Holman Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson
Dr. L. Garnet Lewis Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen
Mr. Robert E. Mahaney Dr. Fritz J. Erickson, ex officio
Mr. Steven M. Mitchell
Senior Staff and Counsel present included:
Ms. Martha Haynes, Vice President for Advancement
Ms. Lesley Larkin, Acting Provost and Chief Academic Officer
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, Secretary of the Board of Trustees
Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel
There were none.
ASNMU REPORT
Ms. Klawes, President of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University, presented on gender inclusive housing (Addendum #1). Ms. Klawes also reported on a faculty award voted on by the students that could be part of Commencement or the Student Leadership Award and an ASNMU referendum whereby all ASNMU policies will be revised and how ASNMU works – this referendum will be presented to the Board in the next few months.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
It was moved by Trustee Zurbuchen, seconded by Trustee Mahaney, and supported unanimously by the full Board, that upon the conclusion of North Star Academy’s current contract to charter a public school academy, Northern Michigan University will issue to North Star Academy a new contract to charter a public school academy commencing July 1, 2015 and having a two-year term that automatically renews for an additional two-year term upon the Academy’s satisfactory completion of criteria established by Northern Michigan University. Annual updates to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees will be required for the first two years. North Star Academy’s new contract to charter a public school academy would expire not later than June 30, 2019. (Addendum #2)
STANDING COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015
It was moved by Trustee Mitchell, seconded by Trustee Wilkinson, to modify the Executive Committee make-up to remove the word “current” in the first and second bullet points so the Executive Committee would consist of the Board Chair (ex-officio), who will serve as the Chair of the Executive Committee, The Board Vice Chair, the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, the Chair of the Finance Committee, and the President of the University (ex-officio), with the provision that when the President’s compensation or evaluation is before the Committee, the President is excused unless invited to remain.
Discussion followed. Chair Popp said the purpose of the modification is to allow the Board to be as efficient as possible. Trustee Seavoy questioned whether the word “ex-officio” needed to be included.
It was moved by Trustee Mitchell, seconded by Trustee Wilkinson, and supported by the full Board, to modify the motion to remove the word “ex-officio” after Board Chair and President of the University. (Addendum #3)
It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Holman, and supported by the full Board, that the 2015 Standing Committees Appointments be:
Academic Affairs Finance Committee Executive Committee
Thomas H. Zurbuchen, Chair Scott L. Holman, Chair Richard M. Popp, Chair
L. Garnet Lewis Robert E. Mahaney H. Sook Wilkinson
Steven M. Mitchell Tami M. Seavoy Thomas H. Zurbuchen
Richard M. Popp, ex officio H. Sook Wilkinson Scott L. Holman
Fritz J Erickson, ex officio Richard M. Popp, ex officio Fritz J Erickson
Fritz J Erickson, ex officio
COUNTY ROAD 550
It was moved by Trustee Wilkinson, seconded by Trustee Holman, and supported by the full Board, to formally support Marquette County Road Commission’s appeal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s objection to the planned construction of 595. (Addendum #4)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN COJUNCTION WITH THE THURSDAY, APRIL 30 - FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015, SESSIONS OF THE BOARD
President Erickson made this announcement for the public record.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Trustee Zurbuchen noted that this is the first meeting of the Board after the passing of Dr. Paul Lang, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, in December 2014. He acknowledged Dr. Lang’s importance to him as the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, for the Board as a whole, and for the faculty, staff, and students of Northern Michigan University. Chair Popp thanked Trustee Zurbuchen and asked for a moment of silence in honor of Dr. Paul Lang.
Chair Popp adjourned the meeting at 11:51 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Cathy A. Niemi
Secretary of the Board of Trustees