Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Formal Session
of
Thursday – Friday, September 22 – 23, 2016
A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday, September 22, 2016 in the Don H. Bottum University Center of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 4:05 p.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
*Participated via Zoom
Senior Staff and Counsel present included:
Mr. Brad Canale, Chief Executive Officer, NMU Foundation
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
Q&A – COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Discussion followed the Finance Committee and Academic Affairs Committee offering the opportunity for Trustees not on the committees to ask questions of the presenters.
Chair Wilkinson said she was impressed with the high-touch enrollment and retention initiatives in the EEGS department and is excited about the revisions to the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) programs.
Trustee Mitchell said the new ABA clinics are important not only to enrollment, but to increase awareness of autism and increased access to services to people in the Upper Peninsula. Another function of a regional university is to help the region; provide more opportunity for people to see what NMU can do for the region.
Trustee Mahaney asked what the process was for tracking our graduates’ employment and post graduate placement, as well as the prospect for initial contact of perspective students. Discussion followed.
Trustee Popp said he appreciated the quality of the presentations and content, is excited about the facilities, the detail around programs that the Trustees do not always get exposed to, as well as the initiatives presented by Dr. VandenAvond.
RECESS
Chair Wilkinson recessed the meeting at 4:29 p.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Wilkinson reconvened the meeting on Friday, September 23 at 9:10 a.m.
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
*Participated via Zoom
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
Senior Staff absent included:
Mr. Brad Canale, Chief Executive Officer, NMU Foundation
MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENT
Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, read a memorial for Ms. Hailey L. Richardson, a senior majoring in English, minoring in Art and Design, who died on July 19, 2016.
The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in her memory.
INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:
Ms. Niemi reported that there was one request to address the Board. The following individual addressed the Board on the topic noted:
· Dr. Brent Graves, President of the American Association of United Professors (AAUP), shared his perspectives on faculty/Board cooperation.
Chair Wilkinson thanked Dr. Graves for his comments.
FOCUS DISCUSSION (Addendum #1)
Mr. Forrest Karr, Special Assistant to the President / Athletic Director, presented the Board with a report on intercollegiate athletics, including the current organizational chart: department review and compliance reporting; FY15 NCAA financial reports; academic and competitive success of the student athletes; graduation rates; new video board that will be used for men’s and women’s basketball, hockey, replays, highlighting the band and academic programs on campus, and allows us to sell corporate sponsorships allowing the opportunity to have multiple sponsors on the board; current projects/renovations (renovation of the ski team locker rooms and tuning/wax rooms, women’s and men’s basketball, volleyball, and hockey); recruiting/number of student athletes per sport; diversity, inclusion, and global outreach; 2017-18 gender equity plan; WCHA and GLIAC member institutions; U.S. Olympic Training Site; and 2016 RIO Olympics/Paralympics. Staff responded to questions and comments from Trustees.
RECESS – Chair Wilkinson recessed the meeting at 10:25 a.m. for a short break.
RECONVENE – Chair Wilkinson reconvened the meeting at 10:35 a.m.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Affairs
Mr. Mitchell, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held Thursday, September 22, 2016. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #2)
Finance
Mr. Holman, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a conference call meeting held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 and a meeting held on Thursday, September 22, 2016. A copy of the reports is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #3 and Addendum #4)
Executive
Dr. Wilkinson, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on a conference call meeting held on Friday, September 2, 2016 and a meeting held on Thursday, September 22, 2016. A copy of the reports is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #5 and Addendum #6)
Based on a recommendation from the Executive Committee, the Board took the following action:
It was moved by Trustee Holman and seconded by Trustee Mitchell to approve the following compensation for President Erickson: A 2% increase in base salary, consistent with the increase approved for all NMU employee groups, effective July 1, 2016; a bonus of $20,000; and to extend President Erickson’s current contract for an additional year, to expire June 30, 2019.
Discussion followed. Mr. Mitchell said that Fritz and all of us are disappointed that enrollment isn’t moving as quickly as it could; however, you have to build a foundation. Once you build a foundation, then you have the ability to move it forward and get the enrollment back up. In light of the fact that we have had so many other outstanding achievements by the administration, he wants President Erickson to know that he has his full confidence as he and his team move forward into the next year to do an outstanding job because we all want Northern to succeed – no one more than President Erickson – that is the reason he seconded this motion and wants President Erickson to know both on a personal and professional level how much confidence he has in his leadership.
Mr. Holman said that he is very pleased with the hard work that President Erickson has put in and the many accomplishments. He knows that President Erickson is working hard towards the enrollment issue and he thinks we will see a turnaround. He is very pleased to propose and vote for this increase.
Mr. Popp said that the President has a very difficult job and knowing that he will never please every constituent group, and he knows he feels very near and dear to the faculty and to the community, and people have different opinions. He said he applauds President Erickson for going forward and doing what he feels is right for the university, even sometimes at the expense of his own reputation, because he is doing the right thing. He appreciates it as well and knows he speaks on behalf of the whole team.
Dr. Wilkinson said that after working closely with President Erickson this year, she has had the privilege to see from the front row how hard he works and how complicated university business is. She wants to thank President Erickson and say a few words of appreciation for the great work he is doing.
After discussion, the following action was taken:
The motion was unanimously approved.
APPOINTMENT OF AD HOC NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Chair Wilkinson announced the appointments to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee as follows:
Chair: Dr. L. Garnet Lewis
Members: Mr. Robert E. Mahaney
Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson
The Committee will make a recommendation for Chair and Vice Chair for 2017 at the December 2016 meeting.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2017 MEETING CALENDAR
Chair Wilkinson said the 2017 Board of Trustees meeting calendar is part of the formal recommendations.
ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS
It was moved by Trustee Zurbuchen, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported unanimously by the full Board, to approve the Formal Recommendations. (Addendum #7)
ASNMU REPORT
Mr. Tristan Ruiz, President of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University (ASNMU), presented on ASNMU activities that have occurred during the fall semester. His report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #8)
Mr. Ruiz answered questions from the Trustees.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Erickson reported on University accomplishments since the April 2016 meeting. His report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #9)
President Erickson answered questions from the Trustees.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 – 9, 2016 SESSIONS OF THE BOARD
President Erickson made this announcement for the public record.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Wilkinson adjourned the meeting at 11:16 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy A. Niemi
Secretary of the Board of Trustees