The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a new medicinal plant chemistry bachelor’s degree that will be implemented in fall 2017 (see separate story here). Trustees also discussed the following budget reinvestments: $200,000 for the fund supporting contingent/adjunct instructors and teaching overloads; $50,000 for student travel; and $50,000 for academic support funding.

In other action, the board:

Ÿ-Approved a $50 non-refundable residence hall reservation fee;

-ŸElected Scott Holman of Freeland as chair of the board and Robert Mahaney of Marquette as vice chair for calendar year 2017;

-ŸRecognized Board Chair Sook Wilkinson of Bloomfield Hills and Trustee L. Garnet Lewis of Saugatuck, who are leaving the board as their terms expire Dec. 31; and honored Stephen Adamini of Marquette as trustee emeritus for his previous service on the board;

-ŸApproved the appointment of Robert Winn as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective Jan. 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018;

Ÿ-Granted retiree Phil Watts the status of professor emeritus of sport and exercise science, effective Jan. 1;

Ÿ-Appointed the following board members to public school academies, with terms that expire June 30, 2019: Mary Lou Van Antwerp, George Crockett Academy; and Erin Davis, Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy; and

Ÿ-Approved continuation of university contracts with two hotels operated by Veridea Group. Trustee Robert Mahaney, founder and president of the company, had requested a legal review of any potential conflict of interest. He was not personally involved in the negotiations. NMU had approached Veridea to enter into agreements for reduced rates for university guests, consistent with contracts NMU has with other area hotels. University Counsel Kurt McCamman reported that he found no conflict of interest under state statute. In the interest of full disclosure, Mahaney asked the board to consider the appropriateness of the contract. Trustees determined it was not a conflict of interest, was beneficial to the university and should be continued.