SUMMARY

Board of Trustees

Academic Affairs Committee

July 17, 2008

Members Present:  Mr. Jon LaSalle, Chair, Mr. Alan Ackerman, Mr. Stephen Adamini, Mr. Sam Benedict, Mr. Brian Cloyd, Ms. Mary Lukens, Dr. Doug Roberts, Mr. Gilbert Ziegler, Dr. Susan Koch, Dr. Les Wong, ex officio

The Academic Affairs Committee meeting was called to order at 1:06 p.m.

Charter School Board Approvals

Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, presented a proposed list of board member appointments and renewals for the North Star Public School Academy and the Nah Tah Wahsh Academy.  He also requested a correction to the term ending date for Mr. Tom Kucera, a Burton Glen board member.  The correct term ending date is June 30, 2011.

The motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the list of board members and the term ending date correction for Mr. Tom Kucera.  This motion is part of the formal recommendations.

Higher Learning Commission/Re-accreditation Update

Dr. Cynthia Prosen, Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies & Research provided an update on re-accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement activities at Northern Michigan University. The Higher Learning Commission will conduct an on campus Quality Checkup Visit in March 2009.

Academic Affairs Road Map Update

Dr. Susan Koch, Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, provided an update of Road Map activities being implemented within the Academic Affairs Division.

Michigan Professor of the Year

Dr. Susan Koch introduced Professor Sandra Poindexter who has been selected as one of three recipients of the 2008 Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year award.  Each member of the Committee congratulated Professor Poindexter on this prestigious honor.

Good of the Order

Dr. Susan Koch announced a number of external grants recently awarded to the university and highlighted a recent study abroad class in Honduras.

Mr. Gil Ziegler expressed concern regarding NMU’s four-year graduation rate.  He would like to improve the percentage of students who graduate within four years.  

Mr. LaSalle thanked the Committee and the meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m.