NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Monday, october 8, 2007, Oleson Center

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Elaine Wood made a motion to reorder the agenda as follows:
Discussion items, Action items, Reports to accommodate the board chair’s need to leave by 7 p.m.
Seconded by Cheryl Follette, the motion carried.

POLICIES DISCUSSION – Jay Hooper presented changes to an existing policy and two new policies that have been reviewed by the Board Policy Committee (below).  All will be presented to the board for adoption on a first-reading basis at their regular meeting in October.

Policy A-100.00  Board of Trustees By-laws.  There have been changes in the law regarding filling board vacancies.  If a vacancy is not filled within 30 days, the intermediate school district shall appoint a trustee to fill that vacancy.  The law also articulates actions that constitute a vacancy.  It was suggested that the list of actions also become a part of the policy under item “h.” 

Conflict of Interest Policy.  Trustees reviewed a letter from Charles Judson, college counsel, in which he elaborated on his research and rationale for recommending adoption of the new Conflict of Interest policy.  The draft policy is consistent with the requirements of the Michigan Public Entity Conflict of Interest Law, it removes any risk of a criminal determination for inadvertent violations, and it represents a reasonable standard consistent with general expectations of a public body operating in Michigan. 

Donation Acceptance Policy.  The NMC Foundation is clarifying its policies and procedures for handling all types of donations, including money, real property, etc.  This policy defines the NMC Board of Trustees role and practice relative to acceptance of donations.  It removes ambiguity and is consistent with the Foundation’s policies and procedures.

STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY PLAN – The State of Michigan requests a five-year capital outlay plan annually from each university and community college.  The plan must identify their top priority new facilities projects.  Of the seven initiatives presented, four were identified to be included in the plan for approval at the October 22, 2007 meeting and submittal to the State of Michigan: Student Learning Center, Dennos Museum Center Expansion, renovation of the Physical Education Building, and the University Center expansion.

REVISED GOALS – The Strategic Plan adopted by the NMC Board of Trustees in the spring of 2007 contains multiple strategic initiatives and goals.  At their August mini-retreat, President Nelson and the Board of Trustees identified which of those initiatives and goals they wanted to see emphasized in the next year.  Tim presented the revised goals list for review and discussion.

PUBLIC INPUT – There was no public input.

FLIGHT SIMULATOR UPGRADE – Doug Bishop moved that the administration be authorized to contract with FRASCA for required technical upgrades to the flight simulator in an amount not to exceed $90,000 ($82,000 plus 10% contingency) to be funded from the aviation program working capital reserves.  Seconded by Bill Myers, the motion carried.

ACCT UPDATE – Doug Bishop attended the recent Association of Community College Trustees convention in San Diego.  He attended sessions on presidential evaluation, presidents’ compensation, legal issues affecting community colleges, campus security, and advisory committees.

MCCA UPDATE – Elaine Wood and Tim Nelson attended the recent MCCA Board of Directors meetings in Petoskey.  They heard a presentation on the State budget that said community colleges will receive the delayed State Aid payment and might see a 1% increase in State Aid this year.  Elaine said she was reminded how important MCCA’s work is to community colleges. 

President Nelson told trustees of upcoming meetings he will be attending: Economic Transformation Conference, October 15-16 in Ann Arbor; Port Cities Collaborative, October 29-30 in Port Huron; and the TIAA-CREF Institute (invitation only), November 1-2 in New York City.  He reminded trustees of upcoming NMC Community Band and Grand Traverse Chorale and Chamber Singers performances.

Recorded by Karen Sabin