Here is an informal account of the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees meeting, Monday, September 29, 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/2014/092914-board-regular.pdf.
A full video of the meeting is available here:
On Monday, September 29, the Board of Trustees at Northwestern Michigan College:
DECIDED
- To recommend adoption of the presented Local Strategic Value Resolution certifying that NMC has met four of five best practices in each category as defined in Section 230 of Michigan Public Act 196 of 2014.
- To recommend authorization of the Dennos Museum Center to apply for Project Support funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in the 2015 MCACA Grant Cycle in the amount of $30,000. (Application is due October 1, 2014)
- To recommend authorization of the administration to engage Smith, Haughey, Rice and Roegge of Traverse City, Michigan and Miller Canfield of Lansing Michigan, to advise the NMC Administration on legal matters related to their areas of expertise, to be funded through the 2015 General Fund Budget.
PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS
- Aaron Beach, Director of Human Resources, announced Cathy McCall, Administrative Services Coordinator, as the NMC Employee of the Semester for summer 2014. Her supervisor, Vicki Cook, then spoke to the examples of Cathy’s work ethic that have displayed the values of NMC.
- Chris Weber, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, introduced Diana Fairbanks Lawson, NMC’s new Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications. Weber then provided a presentation on the strategies and marketing plan being used by Enrollment Management and Student Services to market persistence and completion.
- Chris Weber, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services and Pam Palermo, Director of Financial Aid, provided a scholarship and financial aid report. The student income range is continuing to fall more within the mid-range rather than the Pell eligibility range. They stated that we have made great strides in working with academic areas in awarding scholarship funds and reallocating when not utilized.
- Marguerite Cotto, Vice President for Lifelong and Professional Learning, provided information on an additional Marine Technology program within the BS in Maritime Technology degree that is anticipated to be brought to the Board for approval at their October 27 meeting. The formal detailing of the program for Board approval will take place at October’s meeting.
- Chris Weber, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, provided the enrollment report which includes detailed information on the increase of 8% in new student enrollment, including 303 new dual enrolled students, 24 new international students and 344 new transfer students. The overall enrollment decrease is the result of readmitted students which fell from 505 to 366 students. Strategies are being developed to reverse the decline.
- Vicki Cook, Vice President of Finance and Administration, reported to the Board that the course efficiency emphasis has met the efficient rate targets.
- Trustee Kennard Weaver reported on the Solar Conference which he attended to learn more about potential green initiatives to gain efficiencies for the college.
- Doug Bishop, Board Representative, reported that the Lobdell’s scholarship dinner sold out a week prior to the event. He also presented upcoming events.
- President Timothy Nelson reported that since the MCCA weekly update on September 22 was provided, the New Jobs Training Program bill was successfully voted out of committee to go to the floor. Nelson asked for continued support and conversations to area legislators. Nelson also reviewed the goal of the bill to address the cap, sunset and minimum wage. He also mentioned that the MCCA is watching a lot of issues at the moment and that Kennard Weaver has spoken with several legislators as MCCA rep and encouraged others to do so.
UPDATES
- Doug Bishop, Board Chair said that he appreciates trustees’ response in getting back to the Board with availability of dates for the retreat. Bishop asked trustees to think about topics for the retreat and let Tim Nelson or himself know. Also, Bishop attended the midshipmen swearing in ceremony, which he reported was impressive and made him very appreciative of the students and staff.
- President Timothy Nelson praised the strategic and structural changes that were made in enrollment management and how successful they were. Nelson also gave background on Diana Fairbanks explaining her formal education and her experience in communications. He expects great things with her help to engage internal and external communications. Nelson also thanked Ed Bailey for his hard work on the Harbor Celebration.
DISCUSSION
- President Timothy Nelson reviewed the latest capital outlay project requested with last year’s five-year plan submitted to the State. In the last meeting they heard information about two other projects, each of which is estimated at $4.8 million and the previously submitted student learning center project with an estimated $20 million. Nelson was recently asked to present on the student learning center project and said he recommends the submittal of this project again with this year’s five-year capital outlay plan submitted to the State. This would be his first project, followed by the library, then the Tanis Building.
- Stephen Siciliano, Vice President for Educational Services said that the Planning and Budget Council are not recommending any changes for the Resources Guidelines from what was approved last April by the Board. They will come to the Board next month for approval.
The next meeting of the NMC Board of Trustees is Monday, October 27, 2014 – 5:30 p.m. – Oleson Center Rooms A & B.