Wednesday, June 14, 2017

A special session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 in the Board of Trustees meeting room, 602 Cohodas Hall, at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The session was convened at 10:04 a.m. 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 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*

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

Senior Staff absent included:

Mr. Brad Canale, Chief Executive Officer – NMU Foundation

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

*via Conference Call

Secretary Niemi took roll call of Trustees.

Lease Agreement for Department of Corrections Property

Vice President Leach said that the administration is asking for approval to sign a rental agreement with the State of Michigan for the property that is being transferred from the Department of Corrections for the forensic research outdoor station. This is a bridge agreement that will allow the university to begin site work on the property until all paperwork is completed to transfer the deed for the property to the University. NMU will need to provide security and insurance coverage for the property during the term of the lease.

It was moved by Trustee Seavoy and seconded by Trustee Mitchell that the Board approve the lease agreement in substantially the same form as attached and authorize the administration to sign all necessary documents to accomplish the agreement between Northern Michigan University and the State of Michigan, Department of Technology, Management, and Budget for the Department of Corrections property and take all such other actions as are necessary in their discretion to effectuate the agreement.

Discussion followed.

President Erickson said that NMU is in the process of searching for a forensic anthropologist. The first finalist has already been on campus with the remaining two coming in the next few weeks. This lease will allow us to put the fence up around the property to get this exciting new program started in the fall.

Being no further discussion, Chair Holman called the question and the following action was taken:

The motion passed with eight (8) for and zero (0) against.

MEDC Invent@NMU/SmartZone Grant Agreement

Vice President Leach said that an agreement between NMU and Innovation Marquette Enterprise Corporation, also known as the SmartZone, is part of an overall grant that NMU applied for and received from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for $1.5 million. NMU would engage the SmartZone to provide management, operational, and administrative services necessary for Invent@NMU. The grant would be awarded to NMU from MEDC and NMU would sub grant it to the SmartZone. NMU would also provide the SmartZone space within our facility at Invent@NMU and NMU would hire the students and a minimum of one part-time NMU employee. NMU would have control over the funding and maintain the financial records, while the SmartZone would provide the program reporting that is required under the grant. NMU will also remain the primary contact with MEDC regarding any modifications or terms with the grant. Vice President Leach said this is a strong partnership that will really help enable Invent@NMU to continue and grow into the future.

President Erickson said that since the launch of both Invent and the SmartZone, the two have worked very closely together. NMU currently provides them space at the University Center and it makes sense to create an even tighter relationship. With the MEDC fully supporting this partnership and providing a significant amount of funds to make it happen, we see a very bright future. Our expectation is that the SmartZone will move in with Invent@NMU and create a nice one stop shop for support of product development and the work that the SmartZone does.

Trustee Seavoy said that Innovation Marquette is a client of her law firm and is asking permission to abstain from voting on this item as it is a perceived conflict of interest.

It was moved by Trustee Mahaney, seconded by Trustee Popp, and supported by the remaining Trustees, to allow Trustee Seavoy to abstain from voting on this item.

It was moved by Trustee Popp and seconded by Trustee Hart that the Board approve the agreement in substantially the same form as attached and authorize the administration to sign all necessary documents to accomplish the MEDC grant requirements and take all such other actions as are necessary in their discretion to effectuate the agreement.

Discussion followed.

Trustee Popp thanked everyone for their work on this and said that he likes the creativity; this is a good partnership and aligns what we are trying to do from a strategy standpoint.

Being no further discussion, Chair Holman called the question and the following action was taken:

The motion passed with seven (7) for, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstention.

Berry Events Center Rink

President Erickson said that he is pleased to bring the recommendation to the Board to name the ice in the Berry Events Center in honor of NMU’s founding hockey coach, and national championship winning coach, Rick Comley. The recommendation is to the name rink the “Rick Comley Rink.” He said he had a wonderful conversation with John Berry regarding this recommendation and he has indicated his support. There has been a real outreach in the community about the need to make sure we recognize the history of our program as we are moving our program into some new directions.

It was moved by Trustee Mitchell and seconded by Trustee Hart that the Board name the ice rink at the Berry Events Center the “Rick Comley Rink.”

Discussion followed:

Trustee Mitchell said he was in the U.P. when Coach Comley was coaching and that he was a tremendous coach and believes this is a very good decision to honor him in this way.

Being no further discussion, Chair Holman called the question and the following action was taken:

The motion passed with eight (8) for and zero (0) against.

President Erickson said we will be putting together a complete ceremony for the first home hockey game of the year in October versus Lake Superior State. He would welcome the opportunity for any Trustees to be on campus for that event. There will be several returning players and a great celebration of that era.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Chair Holman adjourned the meeting at 10:17 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________________

Cathy A. Niemi

Secretary of the Board of Trustees