Proposed

 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes of the Formal Session

of

Thursday, July 23, 2015

 

 

A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday, July 23, 2015 in the University Center of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.  The meeting was convened at 1:05 p.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

Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board

Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Steven R. Neiheisel, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Dr. Steven A. VandenAvond, Vice President for Extended Learning and Community Relations

Ms. Cathy A. Niemi, Secretary of the Board of Trustees

Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel  

 

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENT

 

Vice President Neiheisel read a memorial for Mr. JeQuan Russell, a senior Social Work major, with a Human Behavior cluster minor, who was scheduled to graduate in August, who died on May 27, 2015.  He completed enough of his summer online courses to earn a passing grade, he will, therefore, earn his college degree posthumously.  The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in his memory.

 

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:

 

There were none.

 

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS

 

It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Zurbuchen, and supported unanimously be the Board, to remove Item D(4) from the Formal Recommendations.

 

It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Zurbuchen, and supported unanimously by the full Board, to approve the Formal Recommendations as amended.  (Addendum #1)

 

 

ASNMU REPORT

 

Ms. Liz Dow, Vice President of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University (ASNMU), presented on the summer activities and goals for the upcoming year:

 

·         Transitioning to new leadership as Lindsey Lieck and Liz Dow are the newly elected President and Vice President, respectively.

·         Currently have seven general assembly members and hope to have a full board by the end of September.

·         Will be hosting an ASNMU retreat at the end of September at Presque Isle to create accountability and establish camaraderie throughout the organization.

·         Starting a monthly newsletter this fall to keep the student body updated on what’s happening in ASNMU and to ensure student know ASNMU is an organization that is here to advocate for the students with a 24/7 open availability to bring concerns and issues to.

·         Attending the Student Association of Michigan (SAM) Conference which will provide the opportunity to network with other university governments.

 

Ms. Dow answered questions from the Trustees.

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Erickson reported the following:

·         Welcomed Dr. Kerri Schuiling as the new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

·         Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver – in order to provide broader support to the tribal communities and to encourage more eligible members who have access to this waiver, Native American students will no longer need to be enrolled in a degree- seeking program to receive this statewide tuition waiver.  This will enable students to better explore potential educational opportunities, explore degrees, etc.

·         Last year was spent working on core values; currently working on incorporating and producing the draft of the next teaching plan based on the collective work done on the Core Values.  The Core Value process provided the opportunity for broad input both on-campus and off-campus.  The outcome of that has provided the administration with the basis for the development of a Strategic Plan.  The next step is to begin sharing the Strategic Plan in the upcoming semester to receive feedback from campus and Marquette community members and move the Strategic Plan forward. 

·         Higher Learning Commission Accreditation – AQIP Program.  AQIP allows NMU to identify a project as the basis of its accreditation.  NMU’s project – the Transparency Project –is a unified effort to ensure that the institution is as fully and openly transparent about all university business within the FERPA and legal restriction requirements. 

·         Northern Promise – NMU’s project to bring educational opportunities and affordability to communities across the Upper Peninsula by making it possible for qualified high school students to earn NMU credits while they are in high school.  This program has been very well received.  NMU currently has five classes for the initial launch of this program with schools in the fall with a great deal of interest across the U.P and some school districts in the south east portion of the Lower Peninsula.  This provides educational opportunities and fits with our goal of providing high speed broadband internet access for educational purposes across the Upper Peninsula.  NMU has been working very closely with the FCC to extend the range.

·         Has participated in several alumni events throughout the summer which provides the opportunity to meet with alums and businesses in the areas.  The Alumni Office deserves a lot of recognition for the great work they do in keeping NMU alums connected with NMU.

 

President Erickson answered questions from Trustees.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Academic Affairs

 

Dr. Zurbuchen, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held Thursday, July 23, 2015.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #2)

 

Finance

 

Mr. Holman, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held on Thursday, July 23, 2015.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #3)

 

Based on a recommendation from the Finance Committee, the Board took the following action:

 

It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported unanimously by the Board, to approve a Distance Education Fee of $50 per credit hour for all online courses beginning winter 2016 semester.

 

Executive

 

Mr. Popp, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on the meeting held on Thursday, July 23, 2015.  A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #4)

 

Based on a recommendation from the Executive Committee, the Board took the following action:

 

It was moved by Trustee Wilkinson, seconded by Trustee Zurbuchen, and supported unanimously by the Board, to approve the following compensation for President Erickson:  A 2% increase in base salary consistent with the increase approved for non-represented NMU employees effective July 1, 2015, a bonus of $20,000, and to extend the current contract with the same terms for an additional two years, to expire June 30, 2018, to include a comprehensive evaluation towards the end of the contract.

 

The Committee will be working through the details with President Erickson, which will be finalized as soon as practicable.

 

APPOINTMENT OF AD HOC NOMINATING COMMITTEE

 

Chair Popp announced the appointments to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee as follows:

 

            Chair:          Mr. Richard M. Popp

            Members:    Ms. Tami M. Seavoy

                                Mr. Scott L. Holman

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 – 18, 2015 SESSIONS OF THE BOARD

 

President Erickson made this announcement for the public record. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Popp adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                       

Cathy A. Niemi

Secretary of the Board of Trustees