Jul 11, 2014 | President Updates
The fiscal year 2015 budget was approved by the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting on June 23, 2014. I thank everyone for their work during the budgeting process and appreciate those who attended Employee Conversation meetings last spring. Because of your hard work and input, the approved FY15 budget was balanced using a combination of expenditure reductions, modest tuition increases, and additional sources of revenue. The budget does not rely on reserves and will assist us in achieving a long-term sustainable business model.
The final FY15 budget included tuition rate changes of 5.3% for all in-state tuition and 7.2% change for out-of-state tuition. The Dental Assistant program will now be included in Tier I differential tuition rates and an International rate for fiscal year 2016 was approved by the Board of Trustees. Additional revenue from the Foundation of $68,000 and from Marine Technology portfolio B projects of $135,000 is included.
Changes in expenses included reductions in the capital outlay (COAT) allocation of $50,000, professional development of $40,000, general E&G of $187,000, and personnel of $420,000. These adjustments came as a result of the Planning and Budget Council asking for additional reductions based on the analysis of personnel and other expenses. Also included in the budget is a placeholder for changes in employee compensation. As you are aware, the recommendation from Planning and Budget Council was to align the date of compensation changes to January 1 in conjunction with employee health benefits. This alignment will provide a more complete picture of fall tuition revenue and allow time for the Compensation Study and its implementation to be reviewed by the Board of Trustees at their September meeting. We acknowledge that there are still questions regarding the implementation of any compensation changes and we will keep you informed as recommendations are finalized. I expect implementation will be a multi-year activity. Please refer to my memo of June 11, 2014 for more on this issue.
As always, I will keep you informed of any changes to the situation. I ask everyone to continue the good work you are doing in recruiting students and helping them on their completion pathway.
Thank you.
Timothy J. Nelson, President
Jun 26, 2014 | President Updates
The Board of Trustees and I are thankful for the outstanding contributions everyone at NMC made this past academic year that helped us to successfully meet the learning needs of our students and region. Here are a number of important accomplishments you helped to achieve this past year. Many will have a lasting impact on NMC and our future.
- Received Higher Learning Commission accreditation for the Bachelor of Science in Maritime Technology and became the first community college in Michigan to award baccalaureate degrees.
- Received national accreditation for our LPN and ADN Nursing Degrees.
- Submitted and received positive review of our Higher Learning Commission AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Program) Systems Portfolio.
- Made good progress in the execution of the new NMC Foundation business plan. While not yet fully implemented, this approach will lead us into an era of continual significant resource raising.
- Made significant progress toward completion of the evaluation of total compensation and classification plans and processes. A progress report was provided at the May Board of Trustees Meeting.
- Continued the implementation of our globalization agenda including working jointly with TCAPS and executing Memorandums Of Agreement and/or Memorandums Of Understanding with Chinese partner schools and universities.
- Established position sharing with TCAPS, TBA-ISD, Michigan State University, and the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments that save all organizations resources and demonstrate institutional collaboration.
- Established first in the country joint degrees in water studies with Western Michigan University.
- Expanded our partnerships with manufacturing, construction and health care sectors.
- Implemented the first cohorts in our new Engineering Technology programs.
- Made positive progress in student completion and persistence as evidenced by metrics.
- Established a student advising system by which every NMC degree-seeking student connects with an advisor every semester.
- Presented a year of world class (and in many cases U.S. firsts) exhibitions and conferences at the Dennos.
- Continued the structural realignment of the college to meet the environmental challenges we have projected for the near future.
I am grateful that everyone at NMC works to ensure that learning is at the center of everything we do.
Jun 13, 2014 | Intercom, President Updates
Thank you to everyone who participated in the NMC Foundation’s 24-Hour Donor Challenge on Thursday and Friday. The outpouring of support from our community and especially our campus community helped make the event a success that exceeded expectations.
In just 24 hours, more than 120 donations, exceeding $20,000 were received. That money will go into the Foundation’s Annual Fund and support scholarships, programs, facilities and services here at NMC. I’m proud to have pledged $24 for each of the first 100 donations, and very happy that the great outpouring of support means that my full pledge will be honored. (more…)
Jun 11, 2014 | President Updates
Below, you will find a Budget Update from Planning and Budget Council that summarizes the progress we have made, since the beginning of the year, towards providing a balanced budget recommendation to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
As part of providing greater stability in future budgets, starting in the next fiscal year, we will recommend in the budget that is presented to the Board of Trustees for approval to award total compensation increases starting on January 1. Shifting to a January 1 annual compensation change will enable shared governance committees to have a more complete picture of the largest drivers in our budget, fall tuition revenue and healthcare costs. This allows us to align all total compensation increases together. The timing of the salary increase determination will be aligned with health benefits enrollment in October. The attached memo explains the rationale for this change. (more…)
Apr 22, 2014 | President Updates
Last week NMC President Timothy J. Nelson sent the campus community an e-mail in regard to an issue that would be addressed at last night’s Board of Trustees meeting. As promised here is an update from the president.
Last night the regular April meeting of our Board of Trustees was held at our Parsons-Stulen building, and it was the first meeting to be video recorded. I want to thank Kyle Morrison and Dennis Schultz of our Educational Media Technologies department for their work in creating a very professional and unobtrusive process for recording the meetings. The meeting will soon be posted on the NMC website and that process will be the same for all future regular board meetings.
The college and the Board of Trustees value input from the public, and public input was a key factor in the decision to begin recording the meetings. Transparency is an important factor in keeping the public trust, and we are committed to maintaining that trust.
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Apr 15, 2014 | President Updates
Campus Community,
Here’s an update from NMC President Timothy J. Nelson:
As many of you know, at its March 24th Board meeting NMC Trustees approved a videotaping policy in order to archive and record all special and regular meetings of the NMC Board. Trustees began reviewing the benefits and concerns regarding adopting this policy last fall.
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Feb 28, 2014 | President Updates
State Budget Update
The Governor released the executive budget on February 7, 2014. The process for getting to an approved budget follows this path. First the Governor establishes and releases the executive budget; next, individual departmental budgets are taken up by the appropriate subcommittees in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. The community college budget starts this year in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Colleges. Once they complete a budget through House processes, it moves to the Senate. Assuming the budgets are not the same, they go to a conference committee to resolve the differences. They then return to the House and Senate for votes and finally go to the Governor for his signature. In the past few years, this has been done early enough that we can appropriately plan. Legally, they must have a budget by October 1, 2014, the beginning of the State fiscal year.
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Feb 24, 2014 | Intercom, President Updates
From President Nelson
I am requesting your assistance in honoring your faculty and staff colleagues at Northwestern Michigan College.
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Jan 16, 2014 | President Updates
The trend of enrollment at Northwestern Michigan College in the past five fall and spring semesters mirrors the unemployment rate. When unemployment increases, enrollment at community colleges increases (including NMC) as students seek education to enhance their current skills or pursue different careers. Student enrollment began increasing related to unemployment in SP2009 and then peaked at the height of the recession in 2010-2011. During this time NMC experienced the highest enrollment in our history, with 5,440 students in FA2010 and 5,194 students in SP2011. Since that time enrollment is returning to levels prior to the recession. Current student enrollment is similar to the enrollment during 2007-2008.
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Jan 10, 2014 | President Updates
Lifelong and Professional Learning
EES
- Training for mobile devices and social media
- New technology has opened up new training options. EES saw a 63% increase in enrollment in
- mobile device and social media courses over the previous year and a 56% increase in income. This is a strong area for continued growth.
- Enhanced Solar Training Center
- Three people from NMC received nationally recognized instructor training through the US Department of Energy Sunshot Initiative and the Midwest Solar Instructor Training Network.
- In addition to being prepared to offer more in-depth academic and professional development
- courses, NMC is a solar Training Partner with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association
- (MREA) and the only recognized training partner for the Solar Site Assesment Certificate in Michigan.
- Professional Development – Bill Queen received MREA training in solar site assessment and has authorization to provide training (a requirement for NMC’s designation with the MREA).
Transition to Semesters
- EES began a transition from four 3-month terms to three 4-month semesters in an effort to improve efficiency and to better align with academic programs while continuing to provide comprehensive learning opportunities. This has meant a restructuring of time-tables and work flow for staff and instructors.
Audio Tech
Aero Park Professional Testing Center (APPTC)
- The Aero Park Professional Testing Center (APPTC) administered 468 tests through November in FY 2014, this represents a 70 percent increase in testing over the same period last fiscal year, where 275 tests were administered.
- Starting in December the APPTC will be administering the TD tests, which is used primarily by the United States Postal Service.
Automotive Service Technology
- Received a grant in conjunction with Grand Valley State University to develop curriculum around the application of hybrid battery technology
- Purchased on new program vehicle, which is to be jointly used by the automotive program and the Law Enforcement program
- Started the first internship program between the automotive department and the Grand Traverse Road Commission
Construction Technology / Renewable Energy
- Completed the installation of a 3.4KW solar array which is used by students in the program.
- In the process of developing a Level I Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) certificate. The new certificate is in direct response to industry demand for students with these skill sets.
- Revamped the HVACR curriculum under the leadership of the new HVACR instructor. The new curriculum now aligns with industry expectations.
Engineering Technology
- Fall 2013 new enrollment was 45 students, which represents a doubling of the planned fall enrollment.
- Sixteen Engineering Technology, Unmanned Aerial Systems students attended a national conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The focus of the conference was on the commercial application of UAS’s and the issues associated with the FAA and the national air space.
- Chris Schmidt an Engineering Technology, Unmanned Aerial Systems student was one of 30 finalists in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. The student presented his business concept to a large group of investors and judges in Detroit on November 14.
Welding Technology
- 20 students passed the American Welding Society (AWS) welding certification. The AWS is recognized as the international standard in the welding industry
University Center
- Central Michigan University – Added Master’s in Public Administration
- Davenport University – ADN-BSN Concurrent programming with NMC Nursing and added BBA with Aviation Concentration
- Ferris State University – BS Hotel Management, enough interest to run classes and added BS Industrial Technology and Management
- Grand Valley State University – Facility renovation for Physician Assistant Media room and lab and office space for PA program
- Spring Arbor University – Added BS Facilities Management. First time in years to run all at the same time that they offer (Org Management, Nursing, Family Life)
- Western Michigan University – Added Freshwater Sciences and Sustainability
Working new contracts with GVSU for year long use of UC 01 and UC 09. These classrooms will be leased much in the same way we lease office space. Those rooms we have received approx $3,000 a year in rentals. Will receive approximately $31,000 in leased space.
Physical Education
- Improved student involvement for intramural sports in flag football and volleyball over the past two years.
- Flag football student involvement from approximately 30 students to 60 students over previous year.
- Volleyball from approximately 18 students to 40 students over previous year.
- Still room for improvement, but going in the right direction.
Applied Plant Science and Viticulture
Industry Connections
Several positive industry connections and relationships have been established between our programs and industry groups. Positive relationships with groups that represent our agricultural industries impact our learners as speakers are arranged for seminar classes, internship opportunities are created, and employment opportunities after graduation are more accessible to our students.
Groups that such connection have been made with include:
- Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
- Michigan Grape and Wine Collaborative
- Food and Farming Network Council
- Michigan Equine Foundation
- Parallel 45 Vines and Wines
- MSU Extension Council
- MSU Extension North Region 4-H Staff
- TBA ISD Agricience Program and Advisory Committee
- MSU Northwest Horticultural Research Station
Program advancement
- Launch of PD Institute including Foundations of Leadership Cohort
- Launch of Customer Service for Health Care Providers course.
- Moved CNA Training Class to Front Street Campus to make it easier for students to connect with other NMC health occupations programs. Now includes BLS, a requirement for the nursing program.
- Completed preliminary exploration of bringing Surgical Tech programming to NMC through a partnership with Munson and NCMC. Targeting F ’14 launch.
Aviation
- We have signed new articulation agreements with West Michigan Aviation Academy and Howell High School.
- We are in the final stages of completing a service agreement with Hertfordshire University to be the only US flight training school for their pilot studies program.
- Aaron Cook and Steve Ursell attended the graduation of Hertfordshire University
- Established a spring trip to South Africa
- Since the start of our international programming, over 100 students have attended the Aviation program.
- UAV program double enrollment over previous year.
- Flight hours continue with the trend earlier in the year to be the best on over 20 years.
Training Services
- Michigan New Jobs Training: New agreements now represent $1.3 million in training through 2017, 297 new jobs starting from $12.95/hr.
- Successful 2013 “Proud to Manufacture in Michigan conference”
Jan 10, 2014 | Intercom, President Updates
For those of you who may have missed it (or for anyone who wants to watch it over and over), a video of the presentations at Mid-Year Conference from Monday, January 6 is now available on the NMC Intranet (login required.)
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Dec 5, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
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Nov 15, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
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Oct 2, 2013 | Forward Thinking
Timothy J. Nelson, President, Northwestern Michigan College
A fundamental question for any organization, profit or not, is, “What do we do for whom at what value?” The answers to this ultimately define the business model for the enterprise. This then informs the cost structure, the market, and the pricing and revenue practices for the organization. The current trend of students paying more in absolute and proportionate share of the cost to operate the college has limits and may postpone answering this fundamental question (College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, 2012). In community colleges, tuition alone does not generate enough revenue to create a positive net margin. There is a saying, “No margin, no mission.”
The traditional revenue model for community colleges is different among the 50 states. (Education Commission of the States, 2000) In Michigan, the original bargain was said to be one-third each for local, state, and students. Today, state funding is a combination of legacy and a funding distribution formula adopted in 2007. (Jonasson, 2013)
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Oct 2, 2013 | Forward Thinking
Timothy J. Nelson, President, Northwestern Michigan College
When systems are in a transformative state, the underlying assumptions that influence their operations and purposes must be examined and questioned. One way to do this is to look at organizations or industries with similar characteristics and determine what we can learn and/or project from their journey. Thus, as higher education—in fact all of education—is faced with changing demands, changing demographics, technological advances and changing expectations we can look for a similar industry. I have long believed it is health care.
Consider that the federal government in 2010 passed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. Looking at the health care reform component of this act and the sister Patient Protection and Affordability Act, is it worth asking, “What if these changes are applied to education and higher education?”
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Sep 23, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Faculty and Staff Activities of Note:
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda,
Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Sep 6, 2013 | President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)
Jul 22, 2013 | President Updates
Personal Note:
I returned to work full time last week and thank you all for the extra work and attention you absorbed during my month-long absence. It’s hard to believe we are only a little over five weeks away from opening conference. There is a lot going on between now and then that will have significant impact on NMC and our future. Two important events occurring on the same date are our Higher Learning Commission visit for accreditation of NMC’s first baccalaureate degree (Maritime Technologies) on August 5 and 6, and the Grand Traverse County election for NMC operating millage on August 6. It will be a busy two days for a lot of people. Next week is the MCCA annual meeting here in Traverse City. There is a great line-up of national speakers including Jeff Selingo, the Editor-at-Large from the Chronicle for Higher Education, author of the just released book, College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What it Means for Students. I know many of you have signed up to attend portions of the conference and I encourage you to participate as much as you can. This is an important year of continued transformation for the Association and all colleges. (more…)
