Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Formal Session
of
Friday, February 17, 2017
A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, February 17, 2017 in Cohodas Hall of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 9:02 a.m. in the Board Room, 602 Cohodas Hall, by Chair Scott L. Holman.
Trustees present included:
Mr. Scott L. Holman, Chair Mr. Steven M. Mitchell
Ms. Lisa I. Fittante Mr. Richard M. Popp
Ms. Alexis M. Hart Ms. Tami M. Seavoy
Mr. James K. Haveman Dr. Fritz J Erickson, ex officio
Mr. Robert E. Mahaney
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
AMENDMENT TO AGENDA
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Popp, seconded by Trustee Mitchell, and supported by the full Board, to amend the meeting agenda as follows:
1) Add “Room and Board Rates for Fiscal Year 2018”
2) Add “Naming of the new residence halls”
3) Amend the Formal Recommendations to remove item B. 4. – Property transfers from NMU to the City of Marquette for additional right-of-way road construction and sidewalk installation – to be considered separately.
MOMENT OF SILECE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENTS
Provost and Vice President Schuiling read memorials for the following:
· Ms. Lyncoln Forbeck, a freshman pre-nursing student, who died on December 15, 2016.
· Mr. Matthew Osterman, a sophomore majoring in Entrepreneurship, who died on January 20, 2017.
· Mr. Anthony Herbert, a sophomore majoring in Construction Management and member of the NMU football team, who died on January 17, 2017.
The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in their memory.
Trustee Holman said that it’s terrible to lose one of our students any time, but it is especially difficult for our campus to deal with the loss of three students in such a short time, but it came clear to him on the morning of January 17 just what a wonderful and caring community we have at NMU. That was the day that our student, Anthony Herbert, died. In addition to the staff members who became involved and helped in a myriad of ways, there were students who were involved in the efforts to save Anthony – from calling 911, starting CPR, holding doors and directing traffic for emergency personnel. Trustee Holman said he would like to recognize each of them today and asked them to stand as their names were read: Josh Hanna, Owen Mills, Nick Vogel, Taylor Nelson, Drake Danzer, Michael Linder, and Reagan Schuhmacher. He thanked them for all they did that morning and said it was wonderful to see how much our students care about each other.
Trustee Popp said he would like to recognize Mr. Forrest Karr, NMU Athletic Director, for leading the entire athletic community in supporting Anthony and his family.
Trustee Mitchell said that on the day the Andrew died, President Erickson was on his way to Lansing, and when he landed, he immediately rented a car and drove back to Marquette. That’s an indication that the support that every member of this community has – all students are important to us – and the tragedy of losing them is tremendous.
INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:
There were none.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance Committee
Mr. Holman, Chair of the 2016 Finance Committee, reported on a meeting that was held on Monday, December 12, 2016. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #1)
Executive Committee
Mr. Holman, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on a meeting that was held on Wednesday, February 16, 2017. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #2)
ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS
It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported by the full Board, to approve the Formal Recommendations as amended. (Addendum #3)
2017 Standing Committee Make-Up
Chair Holman noted that at the December 2016 meeting, the chairs for the 2017 standing committees were approved with Trustee Mitchell chairing the Academic Affairs Committee and Trustee Seavoy chairing the Finance Committee. Chair Holman said he would like to recommend the following Trustees be appointed to complete the standing committees:
Finance Committee – Trustees Lisa Fittante and James Haveman.
Academic Affairs Committee – Trustees Alexis Hart and Richard Popp.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Mitchell, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported by the full Board, to approve the recommended 2017 Standing Committee appointments.
2017 MEETING CALENDAR
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Haveman, and supported by the full Board, to add a July date to the 2017 Board of Trustees meeting calendar to hold a team building retreat, with the date(s) to be determined.
ROOM AND BOARD RATES – FISCAL YEAR 2018
Mr. Leach reported that this is the first time we have had a choice in residence halls because of the new halls being constructed. As part of this choice, there will be a difference in the rates for the new halls compared to the existing halls. Since students begin to sign up in March, NMU wants to provide them with the information they will need to make informed decisions when they make their housing requests. Mr. Leach said the administration is proposing the following rates for fiscal year 2018:
· The rate for the standard double-occupancy room and “gold constant meal pass” dining option in the existing halls will be $5,039/semester, an increase of $237. This increase will offset the utility rate hikes and increased costs for maintaining these buildings.
· The cost for a double-occupancy shared suite and meal plan in the new residence halls will be $5,432/semester. This is the rate that EdR proposed in May 2016.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Haveman, seconded by Trustee Mahaney, and supported by the full Board, to approve the proposed Dining Services and Residence Life Rate Schedules for Fiscal Year 2018.
NAMING OF NEW RESIDENCE HALLS
President Erickson reported that the administration has been working on a process to consider temporary names for the new residence halls that would allow flexibility in the future should we have opportunities wherein a donor may want to sponsor one of the halls. A committee was formed, surveys were sent out, and extensive feedback was received from the campus community, especially students. The three top suggestions resulting from this process were “The Woods,” “The Falls,” and “The Summit.” The clear preference was “The Woods.” President Erickson said this name is appropriate and signifies where we are in the Upper Peninsula and has an environmental theme which everyone felt was important. The individual buildings would then be tree names such as “Oak,” “Maple,” etc. The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Haveman, seconded by Trustee Popp, and supported by the full Board, to name the complex “The Woods” with the administration having the authority to name the individual buildings within the complex.
ASNMU REPORT
Mr. Tristan Ruiz, President of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University, provided a report on activities ASNMU has been involved in since the December 2016 meeting. Mr. Ruiz answered questions from the Trustees. A copy of his report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #4)
PROPERTY ITEM
Mr. Leach provided information regarding the property item that was pulled from the formal recommendations to be considered separately. The additional language being requested to be added is for the administration to work with the City of Marquette to have language in the agreements regarding a reciprocal easement for NMU signage at these locations, which would follow city ordinances.
Trustee Seavoy said that before a motion and a vote were taken on this on this item, she is asking for permission to abstain from voting as her law firm represents the City of Marquette. Although there is no conflict of interest, as she is not directly involved nor does she have any financial remuneration, in order to avoid the perception of any conflict of interest, she would like permission to abstain from this vote.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Hart, and supported by the remaining Trustees, to allow Trustee Seavoy to abstain from voting on this property item.
Discussion followed:
President Erickson said this property transfer is an important part of the series of changes that are happening on campus. NMU is for very fortunate to have a great partnership with the City of Marquette. This property transfer is related to proposed round-a-bouts and sidewalk installation at the intersections of Presque Isle/Fair Avenue, Wright Street/Tracy Avenue, and along the north side of Wright Street between Sugar Loaf Avenue and Industrial Parkway. These additions would make our campus safer for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Mr. Leach said they did speak with the City about this issue and they are open to this change.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Mitchell, to approve the property transfer from NMU to the City of Marquette for the additional right-of-way road construction and sidewalk installation, with said property transfers contingent upon the city granting reciprocal easements for perpetual university signage at the locations.
After further discussion, the motion was approved.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Erickson reported on University accomplishments since the December 2016 meeting. His report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #5)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY – FRIDAY, MAY 4 – 5, 2017, SESSIONS OF THE BOARD
President Erickson made this announcement for the public record.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Holman adjourned the meeting at 9:44 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Cathy A. Niemi
Secretary of the Board of Trustees