Approved
NORTHERN
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Regular Session/Retreat
of
A regular session/retreat of the Board of Trustees of
Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, August 11, 2006, in the
Trustees present included:
Karl A. Weber, Chair Samuel S. Benedict Mary C. Lukens
Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair Brian D. Cloyd Douglas B. Roberts
Alan T. Ackerman Jon G. LaSalle Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
Senior staff and counsel present included:
Michael J. Roy, V.P. for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board
Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board
Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel
Kurt N. Sherwood, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal Counsel
CLOSED SESSION AUTHORIZATION
President Wong presented the following recommendation:
It is recommended that the following resolution relative to holding a closed session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University be approved:
RESOLVED, that the Board shall meet in Closed Session at 10:10 a.m., on August 11, 2006, pursuant to Section 8 of the Open Meetings Act:
To consider matters connected with the strategy and/or negotiation of its collective bargaining agreements;
To consider the purchase or lease of real property on which the University does not hold an option;
To consult with the attorney for the University on matters relating to pending litigation, it being the opinion of the Board that consideration of such matters in an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigation and/or settlement position of the University;
To consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.
Aye Nay
Mr. Ackerman
Mr. Benedict
Mr. Cloyd
Mr. Inman
Mr. LaSalle
Ms. Lukens
Dr. Roberts
Mr. Weber None
The resolution was thus approved unanimously.
APPOINTMENT OF AD HOC NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Chair Weber announced the following appointments to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee: Chair, Alan Ackerman; Members, Sam Benedict and Karl Weber.
Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 11:07 a.m.
Trustees present included:
Karl A. Weber, Chair Samuel S. Benedict Mary C. Lukens
Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair Brian D. Cloyd Douglas B. Roberts
Alan T. Ackerman Jon G. LaSalle Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
Senior staff and counsel present included:
Michael J. Roy, V.P. for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board
Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board
Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel
Kurt N. Sherwood, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal Counsel
MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF NMU STUDENTS
Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Enrollment Bill
Bernard advised the Board of Trustees that NMU student Christopher “Kit”
Crockett died on May 11, 2006 when he was swept off the rocks by a wave during
a storm and drowned in
Mr. Bernard also advised the Board and NMU Student Erik
Gravelle died on June 24, 2006 after suffering a head injury in a fall at his
home. Erik lived in
Ms. Grundstrom reported that there were no requests to address the Board.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive
Mr. Benedict, Chair of the Executive Committee, reported on a meeting held this morning. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #1).
The following action item was presented. Mr. Benedict said we are in the final year of President Wong's current contract and after discussion and deliberation with the President and legal counsel, the Executive Committee is recommending a new presidential employment agreement and deferred compensation agreement. He shared a copy of the documents with the Trustees. Based on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, the Board took the following action:
It was moved by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Inman, and supported unanimously by the Board to approve the new presidential employment agreement and deferred compensation agreement, as presented. Copies of these documents are on file with the Secretary of the Board.
Dr. Roberts, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held this morning. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #2).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Wong presented his report with a focus on enrollment. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes (Addendum #3).
It was moved by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Cloyd, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY-FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5-6, 2006, MEETING OF THE BOARD
President Wong made this announcement for the public record.
Chair Weber recessed the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Weber reconvened the meeting at 12:45 p.m.
Trustees present included:
Karl A. Weber, Chair Samuel S. Benedict Mary C. Lukens
Larry C. Inman, Vice Chair Brian D. Cloyd Douglas B. Roberts
Jon G. LaSalle Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
The Trustee absent for the Retreat Portion was Alan Ackerman.
Senior staff and counsel present included:
Michael J. Roy, V.P. for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board
Pamalene R. Grundstrom, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board
Catherine L. Dehlin, General Counsel
Kurt N. Sherwood, of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, University Legal Counsel
RETREAT PORTION
Board Roles and Responsibilities
The Trustees discussed several topics with regard to Board Roles and Responsibilities:
1. The results of the Board Self-Assessment Survey completed in 2001. The Board discussed the outcomes of the 2001 self-assessment process and if they should consider a new self-assessment during the February 2007 Board Retreat. Trustees agreed that it would be helpful for the current Board members to complete the survey and to compare the results with those from 2001.
2. The Board Meeting Schedule. The Trustees discussed the idea of scheduling Board meetings around campus events such as Homecoming to offer Trustees the opportunity to be more involved in campus activities.
3. Trustees' knowledge of the University. The Board discussed opportunities to educate Trustees on major topics at the University, such as curriculum direction, etc.
4. Most effective use of Trustees' time. The Board discussed the pros and cons of longer versus shorter Board meetings and opportunities for more interaction with the campus and community. Discussion followed on ways to do that, including visiting classes; meetings with departmental units on campus, more interaction with the surrounding community, etc.
5. Standing Committee Meetings. The Trustees discussed the possibility of holding periodic (perhaps once or twice a year) committee meetings – not necessarily tied to full Board meetings, and not necessarily meeting every time the Board meets.
6. Best Practices and Expectations – Board/Administration Relationships. Trustees discussed the differences in the Board/Administrative relationships in public institutions versus corporate institutions and the importance of understanding their role when appointed to the Board.
The Board took a brief break from 1:42 p.m. until 1:50 p.m.
7. Scope of Board Authority and Responsibility. Trustees discussed the authority assigned to the Board, addressed in the legislation which created the Board (Public Act 48 of 1963). Discussion continued about the role of the Board and the Administration in contracting with outside service providers.
8. Board Guidelines. The Board discussed its guiding documents, including Bylaws, Procedures and Committee Charges, noting that the Board takes action as a whole and when appropriate, takes action in response to the recommendation of the President.
9. February 2007 Retreat. Trustees suggested several items for the 2007 Board Retreat Agenda: 1) Board Expectations; 2) Board Procedures; 3) Board Tuition Policy; 4) Mission/Vision/Values; and 5) Board Self-Assessment.
The Board took a brief break from 2:37 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.
President's Vision
President Wong presented his vision statement (Addendum #4). He referred Trustees to an AASCU article entitled "Stewards of Place" describing mission driven funding.
He reviewed the basis of his vision, rooted in key values and attributes, including 1) our fundamental commitment to students; 2) the talent found in faculty, staff and administration; and 3) an unqualified commitment to teaching and learning of the first caliber.
He also outlined four major initiatives important to Northern's future, including 1) internationalizing the campus and our curriculum; 2) promoting the Superior Edge program; 3) expanding our graduate school and grant funded research effort; and 4) NMU's second capital campaign.
Several additional important considerations will figure into NMU's future, including: 1) continued enrollment growth to an optimum size; 2) tuition policy consideration; 3) recruitment/retention strategies; 4) curriculum renovations; 5) increase in online off-campus enrollments; 6) increase online graduate programs and certificates; and 7) determining the most appropriate and effective size for NMU in 2015.
Finally, President Wong reviewed several challenges before us in the future, including: 1) managing personnel transitions through the baby boom retirement phase; 2) retaining quality staff and faculty through adequate compensation, positive work environments and ongoing training; 3) establishing a faculty mix/faculty-staff mix strategy for forward movement while sustaining fiscal responsibility; and 4) improving our role as an economic catalyst in the region.
President Wong also referred Trustees to a document outlining the results of the NMU President's Council summer retreat, including a proposed revised Mission Statement, the existing Vision Statement, and proposed Values to inspire our community (Addendum #5).
Discussion followed and President Wong responded to questions and comments from Trustees. Several points were noted during the discussion: 1) important initiatives and future plans are discussed with the campus community in a series of university-wide forums scheduled throughout the academic year; 2) are there ways to better market our strengths; 3) the Board will look at tuition policy in the future; 4) the president will discuss with the Trustees the Board's role in the capital campaign; 5) the president will meet individually with each Trustee in the coming months.
Chair Weber adjourned the meeting at 3:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Pamalene R. Grundstrom
Secretary of the Board