Wednesday, July 5, 2017

A special session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 in the Board of Trustees meeting room, 602 Cohodas Hall, at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The session was convened at 9:31 a.m. by Chair Scott L. Holman.

Trustees present included:

Mr. Scott L. Holman, Chair Mr. Robert E. Mahaney*

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

Trustees absent included:

Mr. Steven M. Mitchell

Senior Staff present included:

Ms. Rhea Dever, Assistant Vice President – Human Resources

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

Mr. Kurt McCamman* - General Counsel

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

Senior Staff absent included:

Mr. Brad Canale, Chief Executive Officer – NMU Foundation

*via Conference Call

Secretary Niemi took roll call of Trustees.

Technical and Office Professional Staff Negotiated Agreement

Vice President Leach reviewed the changes that were negotiated with the TOPS union over the past 6 weeks. The main changes were language that was cleaned up from previous contracts to align with the A/P union contract who are also represented by the UAW (general provisions; representation; grievance procedure; discipline; layoff and recall; seniority; leaves of absence; fringe benefits; promotions, transfers, and other opportunities; union membership, fees, and payroll deduction), wages, enrollment incentive, and position classification review.

Mr. Haveman asked if the enrollment incentive was included in all of the contracts on campus. Mr. Leach said that they were.

Trustee Seavoy asked what the general feeling was regarding the negotiations. Ms. Dever said that the administration has a positive relationship in general with the TOPS group on campus and overall it was a very positive negotiation.

Trustee Hart asked for an explanation as to how the TOPS employee group has a direct effect on enrollment. President Erickson said that group is one of the first interchanges with students coming in on campus – they are one of the key points of contact with the students and their families, which is a very important role.

Trustee Holman said that everyone needs to be a salesman for Northern – the Trustees, professors, etc. – anyone who is associated with Northern needs to be selling what we have and recruiting students.

The following action was taken:

It was moved by Trustee Haveman and seconded by Trustee Seavoy that the Board approve the negotiated agreement between Northern Michigan University and UAW 1950 (Technical and Office Professional Staff), covering the period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020.

The motion passed with seven (7) for and zero (0) against.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Haveman, and supported by the full Board, to adjourn the meeting.

Chair Holman adjourned the meeting at 9: 42 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________________

Cathy A. Niemi

Secretary of the Board of Trustees