Friday, February 19, 2016

A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, February 19, 2016 in the University Center of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 9:00 a.m. in the Marquette/Nicolet/Cadillac Rooms by Chair H. Sook Wilkinson.

Trustees present included:

Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson, Chair Mr. Richard M. Popp

Mr. Scott L. Holman Ms. Tami M. Seavoy

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:

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 A. VandenAvond, Vice President for Extended Learning and Community Engagement

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

Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel

MOMENT OF SILECE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENTS AND FACULTY

Provost and Vice President Schuiling read memorials for the following:

· Mr. Matthew Croschere, ‘13, current student in the MBA program and graduate assistant in the College of Business, who died on January 17, 2016.

· Mr. Nicholas Pender, a senior who died on December 10, 2015. Mr. Pender was four credits short of completing his degree. The faculty in the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies have recommended to the Faculty Senate that he be awarded a posthumous degree.

· Dr. David Lucas, Head and Professor from the Department of Physics, who died on December 16, 2015.

The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in their memory.

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:

There were none.

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS

It was moved by Trustee Popp and seconded by Trustee Seavoy to approve the Formal Recommendations. The motion carried seven to one. (Addendum #1)

ASNMU REPORT

Ms. Lindsey Lieck, President of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University, said she is graduating in April and reflected on her time with ASNMU and what she has learned during the past year.

She said the University is at a turning point with limitless potential for positive change if we are included and engaged in the process. ASNMU is currently working on becoming more engaged and trying to strike a balance between rebuilding a structure that allows for student government to last and be strong through transitions of student leadership, but still offering those opportunities for students to make their own paths and define what they think student government should be. A true challenge of student government is making sure you have that strong voice on campus but you also allow those students to really shape and advocate in the way they want to. In an attempt to achieve this balance, ASNMU is in the process of making major constitution and bylaw changes. ASNMU believes the changes they are making will build a stronger student government and, in turn, a stronger university.

She said it is essential that NMU continue to build relationships with ASNMU, whether that be faculty, staff, administration, or the Trustees. Building those relationships will ensure that the students are engaged in the processes of decision making, communication, and really just being involved and invested in their university. Ms. Lieck said she is really appreciative of efforts that the administration has made this year and the progress we’ve made with the communicating with students, reaching out to her and saying, “hey students want to hear about this, what’s the most important part, what should they hear the most,” and really being open to having conversations with students or just shooting ideas back and forth. This has been extremely helpful and she hopes this process continues to grow and become a larger part of what students do at this university.

Her hope for NMU is that we continue to put those student voices at the table – whether we’re talking about transparency, parking and traffic, whatever the committee or the task might be, whether it’s short-term or long-term. She believes it has been really clear this year that students want to know, and they need to know, what’s going on. She hopes that everyone has chance to review the transparency survey results. She was a part of that committee and believes it offers a really good glimpse of what students are feeling right now and is also a reflection of what our faculty feel. We do recognize that it’s a two-way street. The collaboration, the efforts for communication to improve – it’s on ASNMU, the administration, and everyone that is involved in this university.

She thanked the Trustees for everything they do for the University. Trustees thanked Ms. Lieck and congratulated her on her term as ASNMU president.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Erickson reported on University accomplishments since the December meeting. His report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #2)

LOGO UPDATE

Mr. Derek Hall, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications, provided a report on the process and timeline involved with updating NMU’s logos.

After discussion, the following action was taken:

It was moved by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee Popp, and supported by the full Board, to authorize the administration to proceed with a new logo and to hold a special meeting of the Board on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.

NMU BOOKSTORE UPDATE

Vice President Leach provided a report on the University Bookstore operations. After discussion, the following action was taken:

It was moved by Trustee Holman, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported by the full Board, to authorize the administration to enter into negotiations with Barnes & Noble College and sign the subsequent completed agreement allowing Barnes & Noble College to operate Northern Michigan University’s on-campus bookstore.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY – FRIDAY, April 28 – 29, 2016, SESSIONS OF THE BOARD

President Erickson made this announcement for the public record.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Wilkinson adjourned the meeting at 9:28 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________________

Cathy A. Niemi

Secretary of the Board of Trustees