The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today approved housing and dining rates for the 2015-16 academic year. The annual cost of a standard double-occupancy room and the “constant meal pass” option will be $9,070, an increase of $164 per semester to cover inflationary cost increases and maintenance needs for housing facilities.

Trustees also authorized continuation general fund and designated fund budgets until new versions are approved, pending a decision on state higher education appropriations. The budgets will not exceed the current level, except for any increases required by negotiated union contracts.

The board approved two new academic programs: A one-year, post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies will debut this fall to meet growing employment projections in the field; and a manufacturing production technician diploma beginning in June will be delivered at different U.P. sites to develop a skilled entry-level workforce designed to meet the needs of regional manufacturing companies.

In other action, the board: 

Ÿ-Granted emeritus status, posthumously, to Paul Lang, provost and vice president. Also granted professor emeritus status to the following, effective June 1: Michael Cinelli, art and design; Samuel Graci, accounting and finance; Larry Pagel, business; Bruce Sherony, business; Carol Strauss, languages; and Jailan Zalmai, mathematics;

 -ŸReauthorized both the Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy and JKL Bahweting Anishnabe Public School Academy contracts for five-year periods ending June 30, 2020 and authorized a one-year contract extension to Experiencia Preparatory Academy through June 30, 2016;

-Authorized the following charter school board reappointments or appointments (terms expire June 30, 2018, unless otherwise indicated): James German and Nicholas VanAlstine, Bahweting Public School Academy; Arthur Bone, Burton Glenn Charter School Academy; Sharla Conlan, East Shore Leadership Academy; Lillian Roa and Brandy Dona, Experiencia Preparatory Academy; Darlene Johnson and Patrick Cushman, Francis Reh Public School Academy; Tondra Worthy and George Trapp, George Crockett Academy; Roger Zappa and Curtis Hewitt (through June 30, 2016), Robert Kinney and Lorana Jinkerson,(through June 30, 2017) and Bruce Roberts, North Star Academy; Gary Smolinski (through June 30, 2017), Rodney Grover and Juanita Bell, South Pointe Scholars Academy; Tamika Morrow (through June 30, 2016) and Greg Stevenson, Walton Charter Academy.

-Approved the following capital and long-term maintenance projects: West Hall major mechanical heating system improvements, $960,000; phase II of the fire alarm/mass notification system replacement, $850,000; and the Jacobetti Complex circle drive and parking lot, $440,000;

 -ŸŸApproved a recommendation to delete four programs: bachelor’s degrees in planning and technical communications; the collision repair technology diploma; and the plastic injection technology certificate;

 -ŸAccepted nearly $3,000 in external gifts;

 -ŸApproved revisions to sections of the Student Handbook regarding conduct board hearing procedures and the structure of the conduct board; and

 -ŸRevised its upcoming meeting schedule to the following: 9 a.m. Thursday, June 18, in Cohodas Hall; 9 a.m. Thursday, July 23 (business portion) and Friday, July 24 (retreat).