Approved

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes of the Formal Session

of

Friday, February 16, 2018

A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, February 16, 2018 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 Robert E. Mahaney.

Trustees present included:

        Mr. Robert E. Mahaney, Chair                                                  Mr. Steven M. Mitchell

        Ms. Lisa I. Fittante                                                                      Mr. Richard M. Popp*

        Mr. James K. Haveman                                                              Ms. Tami M. Seavoy

        Mr. Scott L. Holman                                                                  Dr. Fritz J Erickson, ex officio

Trustee absent included:

              Ms. Alexis M. Hart

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. Laura Glover, Deputy Secretary of the Board of Trustees

        Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel

*via Zoom videoconference

AMENDMENT TO AGENDA

The following action was taken:

It was moved by Trustee Seavoy, seconded by Trustee Haveman, and supported by the full Board, to

Amend the meeting agenda to address the issue of the absence of the board secretary.

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY SECRETARY

It was moved by Trustee Seavoy, seconded by Trustee Mitchell, and supported by the full Board, to appoint Laura Glover as Deputy Secretary of the Board.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, read the following memorial:

· Mr. Hunter Negri. A freshman accounting student, who died on January 16, 2018.

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

INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

There were none.

RECOGNITION 1)  PROFESSOR NANCY MAAS 2) NMU WOMEN’S GOLF TEAM

Chair Mahaney stated that he was pleased to recognize some very special members of the Northern community.  He said their quick thinking and action contributed to the survival of two community members in need.  First he recognized Professor Nancy Maas, School of Nursing and NMU alumna.  He stated that Professor Maas is teaching during this meeting, however, the Board wanted to publicly recognize and applaud her for her quick lifesaving actions with a woman who collapsed in Marquette. (Addendum #1)

Chair Mahaney also asked the members of the NMU Women’s Golf Team that were in attendance at the meeting to stand up and be recognized.  He reported that the team also heroically helped save a life recently while participating in a community Zumba class.  He stated that NMU senior, Avery Rochester, took the lead when a man collapsed and needed CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).  He said the whole team contributed to the lifesaving outcome and he thanked them for their actions. (Addendum #2)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Mr. Mahaney, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on a meeting that was held on Thursday, February 15, 2018. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #3)

The Executive Committee recommends the Board create an ad hoc committee to periodically review and assess NMU’s policies based on recency of publication and to address emerging issues.

The following action was taken:

It was moved by Trustee Fittante and seconded by Trustee Mitchell, to create an ad hoc committee to periodically review and assess NMU’s policies and to appoint Trustee Hart to serve as chair and Trustees Seavoy and Haveman, along with President Erickson, or his designee, as members of this committee.

Discussion followed:

Chair Mahaney stated that the Executive Committee believes it is prudent they periodically conduct in-depth reviews of major NMU policies that impact University stakeholders.  He said they believe this will help maintain the high standards that President Erickson and his team have established across the University, while at the same time ensuring the Board fulfills its fiduciary obligations to the University community and the citizens of Michigan.

He said although there will be a number of policies reviewed by this ad hoc committee moving forward, the recent tragic events at Michigan State University concerning sexual misconduct have demonstrated the need for strong policies and processes.  He said to ensure that our policies are being followed and monitored, we would like to first charge this ad hoc committee to commence a review of NMU’s sexual misconduct policies. While the Executive Committee has every confidence in NMU’s existing policies and the exceptional team of professionals on campus overseeing our efforts in this area, we feel it is appropriate at this time to review these policies.

As Board Chair, he has asked the Ad Hoc Committee to ensure that NMU has strong policies in place, that such policies are being followed, and to seek out areas where NMU can improve and build a “best practices” model that will ensure, to the fullest extent possible, a safe environment free from sexual harassment exists for the entire NMU community.

He said, therefore, consistent with Article IV of NMU’s Bylaws, he sought a motion to create this committee and appoint the three Trustees to serve on the committee.  He said President Erickson, or his designee, shall also be a member of the committee, which shall serve until 2020, unless extended by the Board.

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

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

ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS (Addendum #4)

The following action was taken:

It was moved by Trustee Haveman, seconded by Trustee Seavoy, and supported by the full Board, to approve the Formal Recommendations.

FOCUS DISCUSSION – HOUSING

Vice President Leach provided a report on Housing and Room and Board Rates. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes.  (Addendum #5)

Mr. Leach said that NMU is nearing the completion of an $85 million renovation project to modernize housing and the living and learning experience for students.  He said that the goal was to create a competitive advantage for the University when it comes to residence life and dining services and to also incorporate a living and learning experience which further enhances the environment on our campus.

Mr. Leach said that he has included room and board rate recommendations with the incurring of inflationary costs of operating the housing and residence life areas.  He said he is asking for some overall room and board increases to help with the operations and the ongoing repair of maintenance of the facilities.

Mr. Leach said that he is recommending an overall room and board rate increase of 3% for The Woods residence halls and 3.25% for the traditional residence halls with the meal plan.

ROOM AND BOARD RATES FOR FY2019

It was moved by Trustee Haveman and seconded by Trustee Fittante to approve the room and board rate increases for fiscal year 2019 as follows:

· A 3.5% increase in traditional residence hall room rates

· A 3% increase in the “gold constant meal pass” dining option

· A 2.5% increase in Spooner Hall room rates

· A 2% increase in Woodland Apartments

· A 5% increase in Lincoln and Norwood/Center Street Apartments

· 3% increase for The Woods as per the EdR contract

Discussion followed:

Chair Mahaney said that this is an appropriate time to congratulate a few people on the success of The Woods project.  He commended Vice President Leach for his vision and his ability to create this excellent housing product using the public/private partnership model.  He acknowledged Mr. Leach and his entire team for providing a fiscally responsible method in achieving the Residence Life and Dining Services Modernization Project.

Trustee Holman stated that not only is this project fiscally responsible but it accelerated the process in the ability to obtain new housing on campus and enhances the effectiveness of campus.

Trustee Seavoy offered the comment that she served on the budget committee when Mr. Leach was looking at all the options for this project and the price of replacing old windows in the old dorms was comparable to the amount of what the University spent towards the public/private partnership.  She also commended Mr. Leach on the remarkable transformational decision for the Residence Life and Dining Services Modernization Project.

Trustee Mitchell also commented that the new residence halls have been a major improvement to campus.

Chair Mahaney included appreciation to NMU Housing Director, Mr. Jeff Korpi, and his team for handling all the logistics of moving students in and out and meeting all of the deadlines set for the success in this project.

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

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

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONJUCTION WITH THE THURSDAY, MAY 3 – FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 MEETING OF THE BOARD

President Erickson made this announcement for the public record.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Mahaney adjourned the meeting at 9:21 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________                                                                                        

Laura Glover

Deputy Secretary to the Board