Here is an informal account of the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees meeting, Monday, September 28, 2015.
Details on the actions items and reports are contained in the Board Packet available online.
A full video of the meeting is available here:
The NMC Board of Trustees met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Oleson Center.
The trustees approved the consent items and several action items including:
- Local strategic value resolution.
- A security services contract with DuHadway, Kendall & Associates for 3 years not to exceed $230,000.
- Establishing an Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in Surgical Technology effective spring 2016.
- Approved a Construction Technology academic program including a certificate in carpentry technology and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Management, both in spring 2016.
Trustees removed from the agenda planning for student housing and a closed session on collective bargaining because three trustees were absent.
The Board of Trustees learned more about the Computer Information Technology Infrastructure Program with instructor Scott Goethals and two students.
The trustees learned more about NMC’s increasingly strategic approach to getting students the scholarship help they need in a timely manner and why that is important for student persistence and completion.
VP Chris Weber presented the fall enrollment overview report to the trustees. She highlighted that NMC ranks in the middle of other Michigan community colleges for enrollment. NMC also ranks near the middle for headcount and credit hours. Weber also highlighted new initiatives to boost enrollment and ways her department is analyzing data to improve the approach in the future.
Chris Weber and Vicki Cook both commented on a shortage in student housing.
Cook gave the financial report and told trustees about a $400,000 shortfall this fall. She mentioned ways college leaders are looking at cost savings.
President Tim Nelson gave an update on a possible new “Innovation Center” at NMC that would include a library and student center. He outlined the capital project and plans to leverage state funding.
The board heard public comment from:
- Cheryl Bloomquist, Social Sciences Instructor, highlighted the NMC Early Childhood Center.
- Susan Odgers, Social Sciences Instructor, spoke about a recent Atlantic article on adjunct instructors nationwide, the importance of the humanities, an autistic student who is succeeding and a student who is succeeding at U of M.
- Jim Press, Academic Chair and Humanities instructor, talked about the role of history in NMC and offered to make himself available to understand the trustees view of NMC history.
- Nancy Gray, Academic Chair and Communications Instructor, talked about her positive experience at NMC and how she changes lives. She highlighted one student in particular who has grown academically and personally.
- Bronwyn Jones, Communications Instructor, highlighted her success with an English 101 student who wrote a forum article for the Record Eagle and her work with colleagues.
- Joel Papcun, Culinary Arts Instructor, spoke about the way GLCI touches lives at NMC and the community through Lobdell’s.
- Clifton Murray, community member, spoke about what he feels are violations of his free speech at WNMC and NMC.