Approved
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Regular Session
of
A regular session of the Board of Trustees of Northern
Michigan University was held on Thursday-Friday, October 7-8, 2004, in the
Board of Trustees Meeting Room, 602
Trustees present included:
Mary L. Campbell, Chair
Karl A. Weber, Vice Chair
Alan T. Ackerman
Samuel S. Benedict
Larry C. Inman
Mary C. Lukens
Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
The Trustees absent were Scott L. Holman and Douglas B. Roberts.
Senior staff and legal 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;
Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; and
Thomas P. Hustoles, representing the legal firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone.
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 2:10 p.m. on October 7, 2004, and at 8:15 a.m. on October 8, 2004, 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 a periodic personnel evaluation of a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, if requested by the named person;
To consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.
Aye Nay
Mr. Ackerman
Mr. Benedict
Ms. Campbell
Mr. Inman
Ms. Lukens
Mr. Weber
None
The resolution was thus approved unanimously.
Chair Campbell recessed the meeting at 2:07 p.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Campbell reconvened the meeting on Friday, October 8, 2004, at 8:46 a.m.
Trustees present included:
Mary L. Campbell, Chair
Karl A. Weber, Vice Chair
Alan T. Ackerman
Samuel S. Benedict
Larry C. Inman
Mary C. Lukens
Douglas B. Roberts
Leslie E. Wong, ex officio
The Trustee absent was Scott L. Holman.
Senior staff and legal 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;
Alfred N. Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; and
Thomas P. Hustoles, representing the legal firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone.
INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Ms. Grundstrom reported that there were no requests to address the Board.
FOCUS DISCUSSION
Public Broadcasting: President Wong introduced the topic, noting that at the last Board meeting the Trustees requested a report and recommendation based on the best information we have on the numbers and issues related to the public broadcasting operation.
Dr. Joyal and Mr. Eric Smith, Manager, Broadcast and Audio Visual Services, presented the report and recommendation for Public Broadcasting (Addendum #1). Discussion followed and Dr. Joyal and Mr. Smith responded to questions from Trustees.
The Trustees expressed concern about sustaining the projected levels of donor support for the stations and future liability for required technology and equipment upgrades, etc. The Trustees thanked the staff for the informative report and recommendation and asked if additional information related to public broadcasting's educational mission could be provided at the December Board of Trustees meeting.
President Wong said the staff will report in December as requested. He said he hopes the Board will see this as an opportunity to make a commitment to build a strong academic program with benefits that will reach out to connect to opportunities; and rather than seeing those opportunities as the primary mission, to see them as benefits to a strong academic program. The Trustees agreed to a goal of taking action in December.
Budget Discussion: Dr. Roy asked Mr. Gavin Leach, Associate Vice President for Finance and Planning, to present the proposed 2005-2006 Operating Budget Request totaling $3,446,000 (Addendum #2) which is in the Formal Recommendations E-1. Mr. Leach reported and responded to questions from Trustees.
Dr. Roy presented the proposed 2005-2006 Capital Outlay Project Request (Addendum #3) and the Facilities Five-Year Master Plan which are in the Formal Recommendations E-2 and E-3. He reviewed the changes that have been made since last year, noting that the items and priority order are the same but the amounts have been adjusted. He responded to questions from Trustees.
RECESS
Chair Campbell recessed the meeting at 10:15 a.m.
RECONVENE
Chair Campbell reconvened the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
MEMORIALS
Dr. Joyal presented a memorial tribute to Matt Hessinger, an NMU senior majoring in Political Science/Pre-Law, who died unexpectedly on September 20, 2004 after a brief illness. Matt would have graduated in December and hoped to attend law school next fall. His younger brother, Joe, is a sophomore here at Northern. Matt's friends wrote in a letter to the Northwind, "What we will remember most about Matt is his smile, his infectious personality, the endless affection he had for his family and friends, and his love of life." The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in memory of Matt Hessinger.
Dr. Roy presented a memorial tribute to Francine Malindzak, a member of the University family. Francine was a building and grounds attendant in the Learning Resource Center, working in Facilities since 1988 and before that she worked for a couple of years in the Public Safety Department. She joined the University community as a student and during her student years recorded a number of firsts, including being NMU's first female All-American, first female national champion, and first multiple national champion, male or female. She earned ten varsity letters in skiing, volleyball, basketball and track. In addition, she participated on Northern's field hockey team the year the Wildcats finished ninth at the Division II national tournament. She graduated from Northern in 1983 and went on to compete in the Olympic sport of luge. She was on the U.S. Luge "B" team and finished fifth in the North American Championships. She was inducted in NMU's Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. She was also active in Marquette's ski community as an assistant coach for the Marquette Senior High School ski teams and she coached the Marquette Mountain Race Team. Marquette Mountain manager Vern Barber described Fran "…as a supreme athlete, still probably one of the best women skiers in the Upper Peninsula at 46 years of age." The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in memory of Francine Malindzak.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Wong presented his report, with a focus on enrollment (Addendum #4) and current issues. He complimented the infrastructure and the staff at NMU who help make the difference in our enrollments. We are on target and our goals are reachable. He also pointed out the significance of the increase in our campus visit numbers because getting prospective students and their parents here is the best way to help them make the decision to come to NMU. He highlighted the report on the new NMU Technology Advisory Group that is being formed and possible new initiatives related to technology in the dorm of the future. He mentioned that NMU's homecoming and his presidential investiture will be held next week. He also said his first quarter as president has been even more than he could have expected.
At President Wong's request, NMU Lobbyist David Haynes gave a brief legislative update. He said state revenues are inconsistent. There is continuing concern about auto sales, discussion on taxing services, continued political issues with the budget and continued pressure on tuition restraint.
FOUNDATION/ALUMNI UPDATE
Executive Director of Alumni Relations/Development Fund Martha
Van Der Kamp reported, noting that the Development Fund Strategic Plan (Addendum #5)
should put us in position for the next campaign. We are in the quiet
phase of the next campaign, raising a significant portion of the funds before a
public announcement is made. Effective September 28 we are now the NMU
Foundation – a name change that better reflects what we do and is the industry
standard. The new Foundation mission statement is as follows: "The
mission of the NMU Foundation is to cultivate and promote the private
philanthropic support of NMU's mission through a comprehensive advancement
effort." She noted three significant gifts that have been received
recently: 1) The fulfillment of a campaign
pledge of $1 million from Dr. John Beaumier for a center for ethnic,
cultural and educational history of the
Ms. Van Der Kamp reported that the alumni staff members have been very busy coordinating the many events associated with Homecoming next week. The Homecoming alumni award recipients are: Outstanding Young Alumni Award - Troy Huggett, Alumni Service Award - Bobby Glenn Brown; and Distinguished Alumni Award - Steve Mitchell. Steve Mitchell will make a presentation as part of the Installation Series next week which will be available on an interactive web cast through new technology available here at NMU with the assistance of Eric Smith and Mrs. Phyllis Wong.
ASNMU REPORT
Ms. Rebecca Thompson, ASNMU President, reported. The first "Let's Chat" session was held on Tuesday, October 5, and was very successful. There were a good number of students in attendance and they asked thought provoking and very interesting questions. The next "Let's Chat" will be held on November 1.
We are currently working on a two year scheduling booklet that would allow students the opportunity to plan their class schedules more than one year in advance. We have contacted the other 14 public universities to possibly model programs they may currently have in place.
We are also working on a mentoring project with the assistance of Academic and Career Advisement and the Student Support Service Center. It will pair incoming freshman with an upperclassmen and/or a faculty mentor. We hope to have a pilot program up and running by the Winter 2004 semester.
Lastly, we are working on "Rock the Vote" efforts. We have been across campus throughout the past few weeks registering students to vote. On October 21 there will be a "Rock the Vote" comedy show to support these efforts.
In response to a question, Ms. Thompson said that students have expressed a positive response to the new student service center in Hedgcock, although they have asked why the ASNMU office is not located there.
Mr. Weber reported on the Academic Affairs Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #6).
Mr. Benedict reported on the Finance Committee meeting held yesterday (Addendum #7). The Finance Committee reviewed the draft Sharing Agreement with the NMU Foundation and recommends approval. Dr. Roberts encouraged the NMU Foundation to help the University out by reviewing the possibility of providing funds for Public Broadcasting. The following action was then taken by the Board:
It was moved by Mr. Weber, seconded by Dr. Roberts, and passed unanimously that the Board authorize the administration to proceed with the implementation of the Sharing Agreement with the Northern Michigan University Foundation.
Executive
Mr. Weber reported on Executive Committee meetings held on September 30 and October 8, 2004 (Addendum #8).
Ad Hoc Nominating
Ms. Campbell reported on the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee meeting convened on August 5 and reconvened on October 7, 2004 (Addendum #9). Following the recommendation of the Committee, the following action was taken:
It was moved by Ms. Lukens, seconded by Mr. Benedict, and passed unanimously to elect Karl Weber as Chair and Larry Inman as Vice Chair of the NMU Board of Trustees for calendar year 2005.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE THURSDAY-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16-17, 2004, REGULAR SESSION OF THE BOARD
President Wong made this announcement for the public record.
TRUSTEE EMERITUS AWARD FOR DANIEL G. DEVOS
Chair Campbell presented the Trustee Emeritus Award to Daniel G. DeVos in acknowledgment of his distinguished service on the NMU Board of Trustees from 1995 through 2003. Mr. DeVos responded, thanking the Board for this honor and saying how proud he is to be associated with Northern Michigan University.
The Board took the following action regarding the Formal Recommendations: (Backup)
It was moved by Ms. Lukens, seconded by Mr. Weber, and unanimously supported by the Board of Trustees to approve the Formal Recommendations.
Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 11:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Pamalene R. Grundstrom
Secretary of the Board