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 Friday, February 6, 2026, via Zoom video conference. The meeting was convened at 11:02 a.m. by Chair Melissa A. Holmquist.
Trustees present included:
|
Ms. Melissa A. Holmquist, Chair |
Mr. Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
Ms. Venus J. Brown |
Mr. Greg M. Toutant |
|
Ms. Lisa I. Fittante |
Mr. Stephen E. Young |
|
Ms. Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham, Vice Chair |
Dr. Christopher J. Olsen, ex officio |
|
Mr. Steven W. Lindberg |
|
Senior Staff and Counsel present included:
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Ms. Cathy A. Andrew, Secretary of the Board of Trustees |
|
Ms. Deanna K. Hemmila, Executive Director – Board and Government Relations |
|
Mr. Carrick D. Craig, Legal Counsel |
The meeting was live-streamed at https://nmuwildcast.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d16a6e8f-2f64-48d6-a7c2-b3e800ea55ac
ROLL CALL
Secretary Andrew took roll call of the Trustees and noted that a quorum was met with all Trustees present.
AMENDED FEBRUARY 2026 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Chair Holmquist noted the following change to the 2026 Board of Trustees meeting schedule:
· February 12 – 13, 2026 is a RETREAT only. There is no public meeting.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Seppanen, seconded by Trustee LaPointe-Dunham, that the proposed change to the Board of Trustees meeting for February 12 – 13, 2026 as a Retreat Only be approved.
Being no discussion, Chair Holmquist called the question
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
|
Aye |
Nay |
|
Venus J. Brown |
|
|
Lisa I. Fittante |
|
|
Melissa A. Holmquist |
|
|
Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham |
|
|
Steven W. Lindberg |
|
|
Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
|
Greg M. Toutant |
|
|
Stephen E. Young |
|
Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS – CALENDAR YEAR 2026
Chair Holmquist recommended the following Standing Committee make-ups for calendar year 2026:
Academic Affairs Committee:
Trustee Steven W. Lindberg, Chair
Trustee Venus J. Brown
Trustee Gregory J. Seppanen
Trustee Greg M. Toutant
Trustee Stephen E. Young
Trustee Melissa A. Holmquist, ex officio
President Christopher J. Olsen, ex officio
Finance Committee:
Trustee Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham, Chair
Trustee Lisa I. Fittante
Trustee Gregory J. Seppanen
Trustee Stephen E. Young
Trustee Melissa A. Holmquist, ex officio
President Christopher J. Olsen, ex officio
Policy Review Committee:
Trustee Greg M. Toutant, Chair
Trustee Venus J. Brown
Trustee Lisa I. Fittante
Trustee Steven W. Lindberg
Trustee Melissa A. Holmquist, ex officio
President Christopher J. Olsen, ex officio
Executive Committee:
Trustee Melissa A. Holmquist – Chair
Trustee Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham
Trustee Steven W. Lindberg
Trustee Greg M. Toutant
President Christopher J. Olsen, ex officio
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Toutant, seconded by Trustee Brown, that the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees approve the recommended appointments to the Board standing committees for Calendar Year 2026.
Being no discussion, Chair Holmquist called the question.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
|
Aye |
Nay |
|
Venus J. Brown |
|
|
Lisa I. Fittante |
|
|
Melissa A. Holmquist |
|
|
Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham |
|
|
Steven W. Lindberg |
|
|
Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
|
Greg M. Toutant |
|
|
Stephen E. Young |
|
Motion carried.
Chair Holmquist announced that Trustees Lisa I. Fittante, Steven W. Lindberg, Gregory J. Seppanen, and Trustee Greg M. Toutant will serve as ex officio appointments to the NMU Foundation Board of Trustees for calendar year 2026.
CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION
Chair Holmquist called on Executive Vice President R. Gavin Leach to lead the discussion related to the construction authorization. Mr. Leach provided the following information:
The administration is asking for construction authorization in the amount of $9.7 million for Phase II of the Harden Hall Renovation project and related capital projects which consist of relocation of Admissions and the HelpDesk. Phase II is to create the student union-type space that’s been requested by the students for approximately three decades. The space will allow the students to have a gathering and study space in the lower level for both resident and commuter students. It will also create a small performance area, a fireplace with some comfort seating; new food venues; new meeting space for students; as well as relocating some student-facing operations which include the Center for Student Enrichment and the Office of Opportunity, Empowerment, and People. As a result of those moves, the HelpDesk will be moving out of that area and into Hedgcock where Admissions is currently located. This will also enable Admissions to move into the Northern Center where they will be the front door of the University which has a lot of activity with the Campus Visit program located there, along with plenty of parking for students and parents as they arrive on campus. The project timeline will be very tight as the construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion by February 2027. The numbers that follow are based on the bidding process: Total project cost is $9.7 million – approximately $6.2 million for the Harden Hall portion, along with $1.1 million for the dining area renovations on the lower level of Harden Hall; approximately $1.5 million for the relocation of the HelpDesk; and approximately $800,000 for the relocation of the Admissions Department.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Seppanen, seconded by Trustee Lindberg, that the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees approve the recommended Construction Authorization for the Harden Hall Phase II and related capital projects which include Admissions and HelpDesk Renovations, for a total cost of $9.7 million.
Discussion followed:
Chair Holmquist noted that these renovations have been discussed for quite some time saying the move is very exciting and a welcome change. She said students are looking for a space like this and believes it will be especially impactful for NMU’s commuter students.
Trustee Toutant said the project is a great vision realized.
Being no discussion, Chair Holmquist called the question.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
|
Aye |
Nay |
|
Venus J. Brown |
|
|
Lisa I. Fittante |
|
|
Melissa A. Holmquist |
|
|
Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham |
|
|
Steven W. Lindberg |
|
|
Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
|
Greg M. Toutant |
|
|
Stephen E. Young |
|
Motion carried.
Chair Holmquist noted there was no other business and adjourned the meeting at 11:11 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/signed/Cathy A. Andrew
Secretary of the Board of Trustees