At three town hall meetings this week, President Fritz Erickson addressed topics ranging from facilities and state funding to NMU securing the first of several approvals that will allow the university to deliver high-speed educational broadband across the Upper Peninsula. 

Erickson fielded numerous questions and comments from students concerned about the impact of the new residence hall project on the outdoor learning area, commonly referred to as the native plants study area. He said 15-20 percent of the plot would be directly affected by construction, but added that the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences department has been supportive, particularly because the administration has proposed adding more outdoor learning space in two nearby locations.

“There were a huge number of factors to consider in terms of where to place the new dorms and striking the right balance. Working with [national collegiate housing development firm] EdR, we determined the best fit is the one you see here,” said Erickson, in pointing to a map of the project area. “The existing infrastructure was one big factor. We couldn’t take Quad I offline for two years and build the new dorms in the same spot because we would lose roughly 1,200 beds. We also had to work around challenging topography with the hill, parking lots and steam, sewer and electrical lines. Alternatives to this scenario would create a host of other problems and major expenses. It’s a tradeoff. In my mind, 15-20 percent is a small price to pay when we’re willing to expand the native plants area in other ways.”

NMU is working with EdR on a public-private partnership to replace the Quad I residence halls and Summit/Center Street apartments. Erickson said the top priority on Northern’s capital outlay request for state funding remains renovations to the Learning Resources Center, particularly Olson Library. But because it ranked 11th out of 15 capital outlay requests submitted in the most recent funding cycle by state universities, Erickson said NMU will have to re-envision the project to make it more competitive for state funding.

Other facilities-related projects he mentioned for transforming campus included updating the University Center, moving the College of Business closer to the academic mall so it is not isolated in Cohodas Hall and possibly securing donor support for a research institute in Lee Hall that would promote interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Erickson reported that the state’s higher education appropriations plan should be finalized soon. He emphasized that state support accounts for only about 39 percent of NMU’s operational funding; tuition revenue covers the remainder.

“Being down 423 students in raw headcount certainly has an effect on the budget, but I’m optimistic we’ll work through those issues,” he said. “We’re looking to the departments to make decisions about the best way to manage their resources in a declining budget. Some universities deal with it with an across-the-board cut. I don’t believe that’s the best way. Dollars should follow students. Some departments face a more substantial budget reduction because they’re facing a disproportionately larger drop in the number of students.”

Northern’s effort to bring high-speed educational broadband to the Upper Peninsula received the first of several required approvals last week. Erickson said NMU has developed partnerships with three high schools as pilots for delivering course work and providing network access to students.

“No other institution in the country has even attempted something like this. It’s extraordinary and addresses a challenge of rural communities. Expanding opportunities for off-campus and online programs will also strengthen the base we have here at the main campus.”