MARQUETTE, Mich.—The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today approved 2010-11 housing and dining rates. The annual cost of a standard double-occupancy room and the “constant meal pass” option will be $7,822, an increase of $176.

Trustees also authorized continuation general fund and designated fund budgets until new versions are approved when state higher education appropriations are finalized. The budgets will not exceed the current level, except for increases required by existing or newly negotiated union contracts.

In other action, the board:

▪Approved two new academic programs, effective fall 2010: a one-year welding certificate, which prepares students for a “high-demand” occupation in the Upper Peninsula and can be applied to NMU’s industrial maintenance associate degree program, if desired; and a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) associate degree, which is designed for graduates of the CNC certificate program sponsored by Pioneer Surgical to continue in the field, as well as for new students interested in entering the field. The program matriculates into the mechanical engineering technology bachelor’s degree for those wishing to continue their education.

 

▪Approved a tuition rate of $540 per credit for residents and nonresidents enrolled in the new Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program, which starts in the fall. Remaining tuition rates for 2010-11 are scheduled to be decided at the board's July 9 meeting.

 

▪Reappointed the following individuals as board members for NMU public school academies (all with terms expiring June 30, 2013): Andrea Goriesky, Jacquelyn Gonda, Carol Ann Swanson and Patricia Martin, North Star Academy; Isaac McKechnie and Norma Castro, JKL Bahweting Charter School; Marcus Randolph and Constance Roberts, Burton Glen Charter School; and Kimberly Champion, Gordon May and Sherry Harper, Walton Charter School. NMU also renewed contracts with the Bahweting and Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academies through June 30, 2015.

 

▪Granted trustee emeritus status to Sam Benedict of Rapid River and Mary Lukens of Ann Arbor. Benedict served on the NMU Board of Trustees from 1997-2008. During his tenure, he served as chair of the finance and executive committees and of the presidential search committee that brought Les Wong to NMU. Lukens was a trustee from 2001-08. She served as chair of the board for two years and was at one time chair of the academic affairs committee.

 

▪Accepted nearly $20,000 in gifts and $1.8 million in external grants

 

▪Adopted the academic calendars for 2011-12 to 2013-14, which are posted at www.nmu.edu/calendars

 

▪Received updates on “Road Map to 2015” progress from the divisions of academic affairs and finance and administration and planned maintenance or facility-related projects for the summer

 

▪Participated in a focus discussion on the university’s strategic direction