Proposed
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 Monday, June 17, 2024, via Zoom video conference. The meeting was convened at 10:00 a.m. by Chair Stephen E. Young.
Trustees present included:
|
Mr. Stephen E. Young, Chair |
Mr. Steven W. Lindberg |
|
Ms. Lisa I. Fittante |
Mr. Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
Ms. Alexis M. Hart, Vice Chair |
Mr. Greg M. Toutant |
|
Ms. Melissa A. Holmquist |
Dr. Brock F. Tessman, ex officio |
Trustees absent included:
|
Ms. Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham |
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Senior Staff and Counsel present included:
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Ms. Cathy A. Andrew, Secretary of the Board of Trustees |
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Dr. Anne P. Dahlman, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs |
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Mr. Matt Franti, Sr. Director – Budget and Finance |
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Ms. Deanna K. Hemmila, Executive Director – Board/Government Relations |
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Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees |
|
Mr. Carrick Craig, Legal Counsel |
The meeting was live-streamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@NMUAV
ROLL CALL
Secretary Andrew took roll call of the Trustees and noted that a quorum was met with seven (7) Trustees present.
REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Secretary Andrew noted that Mr. James Gallant requested and received an additional two minutes (for a total of five minutes) to address the Board.
Mr. James Gallant addressed the Board regarding NMU’s current operational definition of “Comprehensive Mental Health Services” and requested assurances that NMU’s Board is providing for the appropriate level of Mental Healthcare Services under MI Mental Health Code within its jurisdiction.
Chair Young thanked Mr. Gallant for his comments.
NEW PROGRAMS
· Elementary Education Pre-K, 3-6 – Dr. Joe Lubig, Interim Dean – College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies / Associate Dean/Director/Professor – School of Education, Leadership, and Public Service, provided a report on a proposed new bachelor’s degree program, Elementary Education Pre-K-3, 3-6. Dr. Lubig responded to questions from the Trustees. (Addendum #1)
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Fittante and seconded by Trustee Seppanen that the Board of Trustees approve the Elementary Education PreK-3, 3-6 Bachelor of Science Program, effective with the fall 2024 semester.
Discussion followed:
Trustee Fittante noted she likes the 300 hours prior to student teaching, which is the best experience, as well as hands-on interaction with the children which is important and will allow for better teachers.
Being no further discussion, Chair Young called the question.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
Aye Nay
Stephen E. Young
Alexis M. Hart
Lisa I. Fittante
Gregory J. Seppanen
Melissa A. Holmquist
Steven W. Lindberg
Greg M. Toutant
Motion carried.
· Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) – Professor Christopher MacMaster, Criminal Justice Department, College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies, provided a report on a proposed new certificate program, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI). Professor MacMaster responded to questions from the Trustees. (Addendum #2)
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Fittante and seconded by Trustee Toutant that the Board of Trustees approve the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Certificate Program, effective with the fall 2024 semester.
Discussion followed:
Trustees Fittante noted she likes the certificate program as it appears to be needed and will give NMU students a little more “employability.”
Being no further discussion, Chair Young called the question.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
Aye Nay
Stephen E. Young
Alexis M. Hart
Lisa I. Fittante
Gregory J. Seppanen
Melissa A. Holmquist
Steven W. Lindberg
Greg M. Toutant
Motion carried.
TUITION AND FEES – FISCAL YEAR 2025
Vice President Gavin Leach provided a report on the analysis and key factors involved in the tuition and fees setting process for fiscal year 2025. (Addendum #3)
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Hart and seconded by Trustee Holmquist to recommend that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed fiscal year 2024-2025 tuition and fee rates as presented in the detailed materials, which includes:
· Average resident and nonresident undergraduate tuition and fee rate increase of $351 per semester, which is comprised of:
§ Resident and nonresident lower division rate increase of $330 per semester
§ Resident and nonresident upper division rate increase of $342 per semester
§ Student activity fee increase of $13.88 per semester
· One-time student athletic fee increase of $12
· Extension/online undergraduate tuition and fees rate increase be the same as the on-campus rate increase
· Graduate tuition rate increase of $34 per credit
· Student recreational pass fee (refundable) increase of $3 per semester
· Differential tuition increases:
§ Art and Design, Natural Sciences, and TOS: $1 per credit
§ Business, Clinical Lab Sciences, Music, and Nursing: $2 per credit
Should the tuition cap be lowered in the final FY2024-25 State Budget, it is also recommended that the Board of Trustees authorizes the administration to adjust tuition and fees accordingly to remain in compliance.
Discussion followed:
Trustee Hart thanked Vice President Leach and his team for their hard work noting they covered all points very succinctly. She said since she has been on the Board, NMU’s tuition and fees have remained second lowest in the State, pointing out what the university has been able to accomplish while still maintaining the second lowest tuition in the State. She appreciates the continued alignment and discussion about the impact on the strategic goals, including the investment in faculty and staff, $1.9 million to remove barriers to financial access for students to the University, the infrastructure, and continuing to utilize and invest not only in the present but the future of the university. She stated NMU is already seeing the results of this being yielded by increases in enrollment.
Chair Young agreed with Vice Chair Hart’s comments noting Vice President Leach’s slide on strategic budget goals capsulized what the Board is thinking and trying to do moving forward. He appreciates what President Tessman, Vice President Leach, and what the whole team has done.
Being no further discussion, Chair Young called the question.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
Aye Nay
Stephen E. Young
Alexis M. Hart
Lisa I. Fittante
Gregory J. Seppanen
Melissa A. Holmquist
Steven W. Lindberg
Greg M. Toutant
Motion carried.
Chair Young thanked everyone for and adjourned the meeting at 11:02 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/signed/ Cathy A. Andrew
Secretary of the Board of Trustees