NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Monday, July 28, 2008, Oleson Center

CALL TO ORDER — Chair Walter J. Hooper called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Cheryl Follette moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Doug Bishop, the motion carried.

Audit Plan for year ended June 30, 2008 – Katie Thornton of Plante and Moran told trustees this is the first time she has talked with the board before the audit, a move that was precipitated by changes to FASB114.  Several meetings have already taken place with Cheryl Sullivan and Vicki Cook.  Ms. Thornton described the audit plan for fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.  She provided materials that described their general audit approach for trustees’ review, including listings of key college staff members and Plante and Moran staff members who would be involved, a time line of target dates, and other process descriptions.

Introduction of Hans VanSumeren – Marguerite Cotto introduced HansVanSumeren, the new Director of NMC’s Water Studies Institute.  She thanked the search team members for their work that resulted in this recommendation.  Hans expressed his excitement to be at NMC and to move forward in expanding the WSI program. 

Monthly Financial Report – Cathy Jones was pleased to report that the college is financially very sound.  She asked if there were any questions regarding the monthly financial report.  There were none.

Foundation Finance and Audit Committee Report – Ross Childs reported that the NMC Foundation Finance and Audit Committee has not met since the Board of Trustees meeting of June 23, 2008. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, at 7:30 a.m.

Foundation Report – Doug Bishop reported:

• The NMC Open is two weeks away.  They’ll be welcoming more than 250 golfers on August 7 at Crystal Mountain Resort.  He invited fellow trustees to join the outing at the Hospitality Room, which opens at 3:30 p.m., and for dinner which begins at 6:30 p.m.  The overall tournament sponsor again this year is Century, Inc.  Doug asked trustees to please thank Bill Janis the next time they see him.  We’re grateful to more than 100 individuals and businesses that generously provide $60,000 in sponsorships which directly support honors, presidential and divisional scholarships.

• The Annual Campaign for 2008-09 is in active advance planning and soliciting mode.  By the end of August our goal is to secure twelve $5,000 matching gift donors, up from nine this past year.  Co-chairs for the 2nd consecutive year are Susan Sheldon and Bruce Byl.
• Five of our Foundation Board members were featured as panelists at the Michigan Community College Association Summer Workshop on July 24 at the Grand Traverse Resort.  Thanks to Jim MacInnes, Chuck Judson, Bob Boeve, Bruce Byl and Charlie Correia for sharing their thoughts and insights about high-performance foundation boards.
• The next Foundation Board meeting will be held on August 27.

Presidential Performance Committee—Jay Hooper noted that this committee completed their work in June.

President’s Compensation Committee—Ross Childs, Chair, said trustees met in a study session on July 23 to discuss the President’s contract.  They had a good meeting and will be scheduling another meeting soon to continue their discussion about contract language. He expects to bring a recommendation for action at the September meeting.

Board Policy Committee Report – Chair Jay Hooper, reported that the Policy Committee did not meet last month.

Board Chair Report – Pursuant to NMC Board policy A102.01, Board Chairman Jay Hooper declared his potential conflict of interest regarding a bid his company submitted for insurance services, and said he will follow the policy as proscribed.  Cheryl Follette stated that she understands Jay is following the existing policy, but she feels the policy does not go far enough and submission of his bid has the appearance of impropriety

President’s Report – President Tim Nelson thanked trustees who attended the recent Michigan Community College Association summer workshop.  Breakout sessions were especially good this year, with the addition of a Presidents’ track and a Board track.  Trustees will be polled to find out what kinds of professional development topics they are interested in.  Tim also updated trustees on a case statement that will be used for a fund-raising feasibility study.  He and Marguerite will be meeting with George McManus to talk about the future of WSI, which will focus on low-cost, high impact activities over the next few months.  Opening Conference is August 18; President Nelson invited trustees to attend.

PUBLIC INPUT – Trustees heard input from Bill Weisner on issues related to Campus Ministry.

CONSENT ITEMS – On a motion by Doug Bishop, seconded by Bill Myer, the following items were approved:

• Minutes of the June 23, 2008 regular meeting
• Contributions for June 2008
• Grants notifications for quarter and year ending June 30, 2008
• Summary Report for General Fund Accounts as of June 30, 2008

ACTION ITEMS:
Vessel Insurance – Doug Bishop moved that the administration be authorized to enter into a contractual agreement in the amount of $34,710 to obtain liability, pollution, and Jones Act Coverage on the GLMA vessels from Bonek Insurance Agency.  Seconded by Ross Childs, the motion carried.

FY’09 Copy Machine Replacement – Doug Bishop made a motion, seconded by Bill Myers, to authorize the administration to enter into a contractual agreement with Kopy Sales, Inc. of Traverse City for the replacement of five copy machines. The contract is not to exceed $46,000, the amount allocated in the FY09 budget for this expenditure.  Motion carried.

DISCUSSION: Feasibility Study Case Statement – President Nelson stated that the proposed feasibility study will test multiple items: Water Studies Institute, Energy, and Dennos Museum Center.  The document exists in draft form, which will go out to trustees in the next week for their input.  Consultants plan to go into the field in September. Cheryl Follette asked how interviewee names were being selected; Kathleen responded that she would be happy to take recommendations. 

Doug Bishop expressed his support for the way administration handled the campus ministry situation—he believes it has been handled correctly.

Recorded by Karen Sabin