Board of Trustees recap- August 25, 2014

Sep 10, 2014 | Intercom

Here is an informal account of the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees meeting, Monday, August 25, 2014.

Details on the actions items and reports are contained in the Board Packet available online at https://www.nmc.edu/about/board-of-trustees/agendas/2014/082514-board-regular.pdf.

A full video of the meeting is available here:

On Monday, August 25, the Board of Trustees at Northwestern Michigan College:

DECIDED

  • To recommend authorization to for administration to enter into training agreements under the terms of the New Jobs Training Program (NJTP) for the following companies:
    • Britten Banners Inc.
    • Century Inc.
    • Elmer’s Crane and Dozer, Inc.
    • Grand Traverse Senior Living, LLC
    • Olmstead Products Co.
    • Shoreline Power Services Inc.
    • TentCraft Inc.
  • To recommend adoption of resolution authorizing issuance and sale of refunding bonds and approval for the appointment of Stauder, Barch as the financial advisor and Miller Canfield as the bond counsel. (Stauder, Barch were chosen because they are the largest independent bond consultants in the state and the only firm that NMC has worked with who has excellent services.)
  • To recommend authorization for administration to purchase nine replacement Lycoming engines for both the Cessna and Piper Aztec training aircraft, based on Time Before Overhaul (TBO) FAA criteria, during fiscal year 2015 for a total purchase budget not to exceed $274,000 to be funded through the aviation capital fund.

PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS

  • Karen Ruedinger, Coordinator of Planning and Market Understanding, presented a high level summary of the conclusions from the recently completed analysis and NMC’s economic presence in the communities served. The report was conducted by the W.E. Upjohn Institute and also offers ideas about how members of the NMC community can utilize these results.
  • Vicki Cook, Vice President of Finance and Administration, introduced John Dancer of Cornerstone Architects who presented conceptual architectural plans of the campus master plan that primarily involved renovations to the Tanis and Osterlin buildings to consolidate student services and improve the learning environment by reutilizing current space. The presentation also included       a rough drawing of the proposed housing site off the Eastern Avenue entrance. Trustees were asked for feedback to determine the next steps to accomplish the goals of the project.
  • Chris Weber, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, provided the enrollment report to the board. She also introduced Cathryn Claerhout, Director of Admissions. They reported that the statewide enrollment is a declining trend and that our current count was 29 students under our budgeted enrollment. However there is still time to see what the final count brings in early September.
  • Vicki Cook, Vice President of Finance and Administration, provided an update on the new childcare services offered on campus at NMC’s Oleson Center. They are currently working toward a goal of 48 students in the program and they will open next Tuesday. The service has employed two NMC students and NMC is furnishing the area with equipment.
  • Marguerite Cotto, Vice President for Lifelong and Professional Learning, reported on NMC’s participation in the Michigan New Jobs Training Program that has leveraged $1,983,870 for training and development in 423 new positions which are being created through the terms of the agreements. She indicated that there were seven agreements for Board action later on the agenda of this meeting for both new and familiar participants in this round of funding. There are 14 other colleges in addition to NMC participating.
  • Vicki Cook, Vice President of Finance and Administration, provided the summary report for the General Fund as of July 31, 2014. There was a increase in revenue in fiscal year 2014 in aviation and at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
  • Trustee Kennard Weaver reported on the 2014 Association of Community College Trustees Governance Leadership Institute that he attended at the National Center for Higher Education in Washington, DC on August 4-6. He summarized the session intended to inform trustees on how to perform their duties and provide certification of that learning experience.
  • Doug Bishop, Board Representative, referred to the Foundation Board Update in the meeting materials, noting the great success of the NMC Scholarship Open and the kickoff of the 2015 Annual Fund on September 17.
  • President Timothy Nelson provided a legislative update and shared that President Obama did sign the veterans support package including providing in-state tuition for veterans. He also stated that it is now in the Senate appropriation committee and may be paused there for a while.

UPDATES

  • Doug Bishop, Board Chair said that he is very pleased that at least four trustees will be attending the ACCT Leadership Congress in Chicago. He also asked that a decision be made soon on the retreat in February or March.
  • President Timothy Nelson thanked everyone who was involved in bringing the enrollment numbers in. He reported that they will be conducting two candidate orientation sessions on August 28 and September 4 at the UC and that if any trustees planned to attend to please let the President’s Office know in advance. He also mentioned that there is a new parking gate in front of West Hall to allow for visitor parking.

DISCUSSION

  • Trustee Bill Myers said that he noticed some other colleges allow auditing and wondered whether NMC could do that. This will be looked at more to weigh out consequences.

 

The next meeting of the NMC Board of Trustees is Monday, September 29, 2014 – 5:00pm – Oleson Center Rooms A & B.