FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY – Marquette, Michigan

December 13, 2024

A.     Minutes:

 1.     That the minutes of the September 20, 2024, October 3, 2024, and October 25, 2024 meetings of the Board be approved.

B.     Personnel Actions: 

Emeritus:

1. That Dr. Neil Cumberlidge be granted the status of Professor Emeritus of Biology, effective immediately.

2. That Dr. Lisa S. Flood be granted the status of Professor Emeritus of Nursing effective January 1, 2025.

3. That Dr. James H. McCommons be granted the status of Professor Emeritus of English, effective immediately.

C.     Degrees

1. That the August 2024 final list of graduates and the December 2024 preliminary list of graduates be approved.  A copy of the lists is on file with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

2. That Ms. Frida Waara, ‘77, a Marquette businesswoman, adventurer, storyteller, and “U.P. Ambassador,” receive an Honorary Degree, Doctorate of Business, at the December 14, 2024 Commencement Ceremony.

D.     Property and Finance:

1. That pursuant to the State of Michigan Public Act 152, Northern Michigan University will continue to be an 80/20 Employer.

2. That the resolution of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University authorizing the one-day event liquor license be approved:

May 2, 2025	Senior Show Reception School of Art and Design	DeVos Art Center	7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
May 22, 2025	Dancing with Our Stars U.P. Home Health and Hospice	Hedgcock Atrium	5:00 – 6:45 p.m.
May 29–30, 2025	Drag Cabaret Forest Roberts Theatre	Forest Roberts Theatre	6:00 – 11:00 p.m.

3. That the University’s purchase of real estate property, commonly described as 1500 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI, on November 26, 2024, be approved and ratified by the Board of Trustees as of the date purchased.  A copy of the purchase document is on file with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

4. That the following Capital Projects with a total cost over $250,000 be approved:

Northern Enterprise Center (College of Business) Design Services	$   835,000
New Student Housing Design, Development and Construction Management Services	$3,475,000

E.     Special Items:

1. That the current University organization structure be realigned as follows, effective December 1, 2024:

Student Affairs and Success Pillar will be dissolved with the reporting functions moving to the following pillars:

· Student Success Office – move under the Academic Affairs Pillar reporting directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

§ Pillar renamed to: Academic Affairs and Student Success

· Dean of Students Office, Veterans Services, Student Support Services and Disability Services – move under the Northern Student Experience Pillar.

§ Leaders in these units will continue to report directly to the Interim Dean of Students

§ Interim Dean of Students will report directly to the Associate Vice President – Northern Student Experience.

2. That the Board of Trustees approve the revisions to the NMU Board of Trustees – Trustee Emeritus Rank Policy and Procedures.  A copy of the revisions is on file with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

3. That the Board of Trustees Ad hoc Policy Review Committee become a standing Policy Review Committee, effective immediately.

4. That the Board of Trustees approve the recent Michigan Arts and Culture Council Project Support award of $12,000 each.  The approval of this grant will support costs associated with:

· WPAA Musical Theatre Intensive – a transformative summer program aimed at providing comprehensive training in acting, movement, vocal development, dance, improvisation, acting for camera, and stage combat

· Water is Life – Mni Wiconi in Lakhotiyapi – Nibi Biimaadezewin in Anishinaabemowin – this simple biological fact has become a powerful organizing framework for Indigenous-led cultural celebrations of our connections with water  NMU’s Center for Native American Studies will organize a  “Water is Life Festival” in April 2025.