Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Special Formal Session
of
A special formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Thursday, June 11, 2020, in Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 5:05 p.m. via Zoom Video Conference, by Chair Steven M. Mitchell.
Trustees present included:
|
Mr. Steven M. Mitchell, Chair |
Ms. Donna L. Murray-Brown |
|
Ms. Lisa I. Fittante |
Ms. Tami M. Seavoy, Vice Chair |
|
Ms. Alexis M. Hart |
Mr. Stephen E. Young |
|
Mr. James K. Haveman |
Dr. Fritz J Erickson, ex officio |
Trustees absent included:
|
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 of Trustees |
|
Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs |
|
Dr. Steven VandenAvond, Vice President for Extended Learning and Community Engagement |
|
Ms. Deanna Hemmila, Executive Director – Board/Government Relations |
|
Ms. Cathy A. Andrew, Secretary of the Board of Trustees |
|
Ms. Rhea Dever, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources |
|
Mr. Kurt McCamman, Legal Counsel |
ROLL CALL
Secretary Andrew took roll call of the Trustees and noted that a quorum was met with seven Trustees being present. Chair Mitchell noted that Trustee Mahaney was excused from this special meeting as he had a previously scheduled conflict.
MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Murray-Brown, seconded by Trustee Fittante, and supported by a vote of 7 – 0, to approve the agenda as written.
INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
There were none.
Chair Mitchell noted that the five-day window in our Bylaws to request to address the Board was waived for this special meeting to allow individuals the opportunity to make a request.
2020 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING SCHEDULE
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Seavoy and seconded by Trustee Fittante to approve the amended 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule.
Secretary Andrew noted that the changes are as follows:
· Adding a formal meeting on Tuesday, June 30
· Canceling the previously scheduled July 16 – 17, 2020 meetings
Chair Mitchell noted that we will also be adding a meeting on July 30 – 31.
Vice Chair Seavoy asked if times should be added to the calendar. Secretary Andrew said since times have not yet been determined, we could add them to the meeting notice when it is posted.
Trustee Young asked if there would be any meetings on the evening of July 29. After discussion, it was noted that July 29 would be a travel day for the Trustees.
Being no further discussion, Chair Mitchell called the vote.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows: (Addendum #1)
Aye Nay
Lisa I. Fittante
Alexis M. Hart
James K. Haveman
Steven M. Mitchell
Donna L. Murray-Brown
Tami M. Seavoy
Stephen E. Young
TOPS UNION NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT
President Erickson said that over the past several weeks the team has done an extraordinary job working with the wonderful TOPS employees to come to a contractual agreement.
Ms. Rhea Dever, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, provided the details regarding the agreement:
· Extending the termination date by one year to June 30, 2021
· No hourly increase for fiscal year 2021
· Remaining amendments are clarifications and clean-up language related to the temporary layoff article
Trustee Young asked Ms. Dever to clarify the provisions relating to furloughs. Ms. Dever said we can do furloughs but there a couple of different points related to the article. One of those points is we will not furlough between now and July 31; another point allows us to furlough individuals beginning August 1, 2020 up to seven days through June 30, 2021 if the TOP member is making more than $15/hour.
President Erickson said he appreciates the work Ms. Dever did. Most importantly he appreciates that the TOPS employees understand the challenges that are before us in terms of budgets, etc. and the idea of a one-year extension at zero with the provisions to be able to do furlough as needed up to seven days is an appropriate settlement of the contract. He urged the Board’s support of this agreement.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Seavoy and seconded by Trustee Murray-Brown that the Board approve the negotiated agreement between Northern Michigan University and UAW 1950 (Technical and Office Professional Staff) covering the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
Chair Mitchell said he appreciates the TOPS groups willingness to do this. These are very challenging and difficult times – it’s times like this when everybody pulls together and we certainly appreciate what they are doing here and thank them very much.
Being no further discussion, Chair Mitchell called the vote.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
Aye Nay
Lisa I. Fittante
Alexis M. Hart
James K. Haveman
Robert E. Mahaney
Steven M. Mitchell
Donna L. Murray-Brown
Tami M. Seavoy
Stephen E. Young
Chair Mitchell adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/signed/ Cathy A. Andrew
Secretary of the Board of Trustees