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 Thursday, June 25, 2026, via Zoom video conference. The meeting was convened at 2:00 p.m. by Chair Melissa A. Holmquist.
Trustees present included:
|
Ms. Melissa A. Holmquist, Chair |
Mr. Greg M. Toutant |
|
Ms. Venus J. Brown |
Mr. Stephen E. Young |
|
Mr. Steven W. Lindberg |
Dr. Christopher J. Olsen, ex officio |
|
Mr. Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
Trustees absent included:
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Ms. Lisa I. Fittante |
Ms. Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham, Vice Chair |
Senior Staff and Counsel present included:
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Ms. Cathy A. Andrew, Secretary of the Board of Trustees |
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Ms. Rhea E. Dever, Vice President – People, Culture, and Wellbeing |
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Mr. Matt Franti, Assistant Vice President – Budget and Finance |
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Ms. Deanna K. Hemmila, Executive Director – Board and Government Relations |
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Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees |
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Mr. Carrick D. Craig, Legal Counsel |
The meeting will be live-streamed at:
https://nmuwildcast.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=bb4867ea-517b-4683-bb20-b4640128293d
ROLL CALL
Secretary Andrew took roll call of the Trustees noting a quorum was met with six Trustees present.
INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE, AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS OF AMERICA (TECHNICAL, OFFICE, AND PROFESSIONAL UNION), LOCAL 1950 NEGOTIATED CONTRACT
President Olsen thanked the administration and union negotiating teams, noting their work was quick and collaborative resulting in a tentative agreement.
Vice President Dever provided the following summary of the tentative agreement:
· Three-year agreement effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
· Includes wage increases to base salary:
o Year One – $2.50/hour increase
o Year Two – 2% increase
o Year Three – 2% increase
· Increase in minimum hiring rate for 4B position from $15.85/hour to $17.50/hour
· Increase in minimum hiring rate for 4A position from $16.10/hour to $18.00/hour
· All employees at the 4C level will be moved up to the 4B level, effective July 1, 2026
Vice President Dever acknowledge the hard work of the TOP negotiating team noting they were well prepared and the negotiations were thoughtful and collaborative. She also thanked the management negotiating team co-led by Ms. Renee’ Sheen, Associate Director of Employee Experience.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Toutant, seconded by Trustee Brown that the negotiated agreement between Northern Michigan University and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (Technical, Office, and Professional Union), Local 1950, which was ratified on June 11, 2026, be approved and that Ms. Rhea Dever, Vice President for People, Culture, and Wellbeing, and Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, be authorized to sign the contract on behalf of the Board of Trustees. The agreement will cover the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
Discussion followed:
Trustee Toutant said he appreciated how well the spirit of cooperation has worked between the TOP union negotiating team and its membership, as well as the university team who have done an excellent job of helping guide the workforce into the future.
Chair Holmquist agreed with Trustee Toutant and thanked both teams for their collaboration and is happy to have the agreement before the Board for a vote.
Being no further discussion, Chair Holmquist called the question.
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
|
Aye |
Nay |
|
Venus J. Brown |
|
|
Melissa A. Holmquist |
|
|
Steven W. Lindberg |
|
|
Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
|
Greg M. Toutant |
|
|
Stephen E. Young |
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FISCAL YEAR 2027 TUITION AND FEES
President Olsen thanked Executive Vice President Leach and Assistant Vice President Franti for their hard work in helping work through the details. He noted that even though there is an increase request for tuition and fees this year, NMU is in a position of remining one of the most affordable universities in the State and has done a very good job of balancing some of the rising costs and salary increases with the enrollment and budget allocations.
Executive Vice President Leach provided a report on the key components and factors involved in setting tuition and fees for fiscal year 2027 (Addendum #1)
Chair Holmquist said she appreciated the thoughtful discussion and details noting it helps the Trustees understand the thought that went into the proposal.
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Seppanen, seconded by Trustee Young, to recommend that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 tuition and fee rates as presented in the detailed materials, which include:
· Average resident and nonresident undergraduate tuition and fee rate increase of $325.50 per semester, which is comprised of:
o Resident and nonresident lower division rate increase of $318 per semester
o Resident and nonresident upper division rate increase of $330 per semester
o One-time student athletic fee increase of $12
· Extension/online undergraduate tuition and fees rate increase set at the same level as the on-campus rate increase
· Graduate tuition rate increase of $32 per credit for standard resident and nonresident rates
· Student recreational pass fee (refundable) increase of $2 per semester
· Differential tuition increases ranging from $1 to $3 per credit for the following programs:
o Art & Design, Natural Sciences, Technology and Occupational Sciences, Business, Clinical Lab Sciences, Music, and Nursing
· All other current and new program and course-specific fees included in the detailed board materials
Should the tuition cap be lowered in the final FY2026-27 State Budget, it is also recommended that the Board of Trustees authorizes the administration to adjust tuition and fees accordingly to remain in compliance.
Being no discussion, Chair Holmquist called the question:
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
|
Aye |
Nay |
|
Venus J. Brown |
|
|
Melissa A. Holmquist |
|
|
Steven W. Lindberg |
|
|
Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
|
Greg M. Toutant |
|
|
Stephen E. Young |
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ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Lindberg, seconded by Trustee Brown, and supported by a vote of 6 – 0, to approve the Formal Recommendations. (Addendum #2)
Motion carried.
Chair Holmquist noted there was no other business and adjourned the meeting at 2:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/signed/Cathy A. Andrew
Secretary of the Board of Trustees