NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEEs
Monday, november 19, 2007, oleson center

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Cheryl Follette asked that item P. be moved from the Consent agenda to an action item.  Doug Bishop moved to approve the amended agenda.  Seconded by Elaine Wood, the motion carried.

MARKETING UPDATE – Paul Heaton presented a PowerPoint demonstration of the work of the Integrated Marketing Group (“Image”). Their work included development of ads, logos (for consistent visual identity), bulk e-mail, mass communication pieces, target marketing, Google and Yahoo representation.  Many pieces contain their own unique URLs to assist in tracking the effectiveness of each method.  (A copy of the Powerpoint presentation can be found here: S:\Integrated Marketing\Public\IMAGE update for Trustees 11-19-07.ppt

SABBATICAL REPORT – Humanities Academic Chair Tom Gordon presented an update on his 2006 professional development and sabbatical project, which includes creation of an online textbook for History 111 and 112. Called "The Story of Us," it uses video, photos and text to chronicle his 16,000-mile journey documenting a number of historic sites. The project is ongoing.  Tom expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to take the time to develop this project.

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT – Cheryl Sullivan, NMC Controller, stated that the college has received two payments from the State of Michigan in October—the delayed payment and the regular payment.  

FOUNDATION FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT – Representative Ross Childs indicated the committee had not met.  Their next meeting is December 5, 2007. 

FOUNDATION REPORT – Cheryl Follette reported that:

• Foundation Annual Campaign co-chairs Bruce Byl and Susan Sheldon are leading 14 teams of volunteer solicitors from across the community.  So far, more than 250 individuals and businesses have contributed $116,000 or 35% of goal.  Over the past two weeks, we’ve hosted four successful volunteer call nights with a phone bank set up in Founders Hall.  Volunteers have included students and area business professionals. (Ross Childs reminded his fellow trustees that it is time to submit their Annual Fund Campaign pledges.)
• The Foundation has received its second million dollar gift this calendar year! The latest is a bequest of $1.1 million from the estate of Margaret Furney to provide scholarships for single parents attending NMC or the University Center.  Mrs. Furney and her husband were both public school teachers in the Saginaw area and retired to Traverse City in 1991.  They valued education and appreciated the local higher education opportunities offered by NMC and the University Center.
• The next meeting of the Foundation Board will be Wednesday, December 12, at Founders Hall.  This is the Annual Meeting where the Foundation Board will elect new members and officers and review the Scholarship Report for Fiscal Year 2007.  The slate of new members will be recommended for approval at the Board of Trustees regular meeting in December.

BOARD POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT – Committee Chair Jay Hooper reported that the Policy Committee had not met in the last month.

BOARD CHAIR REPORT – No report.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

• President Nelson thanked everyone who helped out with the Governor’s visit to the Energy Center last week.  Activities included hosting a round table attended by 12-18 businesses.  Energy is one of the four areas of emphasis for 2007-08.
• Tim stated that Dennos Museum Center was selected to place artwork in the Governor’s residence.  The Governor recently hosted a reception at the residence in honor of Dennos Museum Center and the artists.  More than sixty works were selected for display out of approximately 450 submissions.  The work will remain in the residence until June 30, 2008.  Governor Granholm was very appreciative of the work.  Cheryl Follette attended the reception and commented that the artists were thrilled with the honor.
• Tim thanked Jerry Dobek for his star field installation at the State Theater.  

PUBLIC INPUT – Jerry Dobek described how he designed and helped create an actual star field showing a northern Michigan sky at 11:00 p.m. on August 12. The 60-by-60-foot display required drilling nearly 3,000 holes of various sizes in order to create an accurate sky. Jerry donated his time in exchange for the ability to use the display for educational purposes for both K-12 and the college.  NMC and Jerry will be recognized in the theatre for helping to make it possible. 

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

• Minutes of the June 18, 2007; October 22, 2007; and November 5, 2007, meetings
• Contributions for October 2007 totaling $575,053.79
• Summary Report for General Fund Accounts as of October 31, 2007 (attached).

WEB CONSULTANT CONTRACT – Paul Heaton explained that NMC has a large, complex and robust website that has served us well, but as demand and expectations for services and content continue to grow, we need to implement a Content Management System (CMS) that will allow for more efficient and timely updating to better serve our constituents.  Trustee Follette questioned why we cannot do this work in house. Paul explained that there are approximately 800 potential CMS solutions on the market ranging in price from $10,000 to $1 million, and NMC does not have the capacity to study, investigate and determine the best CMS product to meet our needs. Trustee Follette expressed strong concern about using an out-of-state consultant, particularly considering Michigan’s current economic condition. Paul Heaton explained that this is a specialized subject area and none were found in-state.  RFPs were sent to more than 20 specialized vendors who had no connection to any CMS product.  Ross Childs made a motion, seconded by Doug Bishop, to authorize the administration to enter into a contract with Gilbane Group for consulting services relating to our website enhancement project in the amount of $39,000 plus $2,700 for travel-related expenses. Yes votes:  Doug Bishop, Bob Brick, Ross Childs, Jay Hooper, Elaine Wood.  No votes:  Cheryl Follette, Bill Myers.

POLICY A-100.00 – Elaine Wood moved to approve revisions to Policy A-100.00 Board of Trustees Bylaws on a second-reading basis. Seconded by Doug Bishop, the motion carried.

POLICY A-102.01 – On a motion by Doug Bishop, seconded by Bob Brick, the board approved new Policy A-102.01 Conflict of Interest on a second-reading basis.

POLICY A-105.01 – Ross Childs made a motion, seconded by Bill Myers, to approve new Policy A-105.01 Donation Acceptance on a second-reading basis. Motion carried.

EXTENSION OF SECURITY CONTRACTS – Doug Bishop made a motion, seconded by Bill Myers, to amend to the current Sodexho management contract by $25,000 to include an additional six months of services for the full-time Campus Safety and Security Manager; and to amend the current DK Security contract by $100,000 to include an additional six months of security coverage during non-business hours, weekends and holidays.  Elaine Wood asked why the contracts were being let in six-month increments.  President Nelson explained that we are asking for another six months to continue to evaluate what is needed going forward.  During spring semester trustees will receive a report showing the cost for various levels of security.  We need to analyze data that shows where the needs are, how much are we going to ask local law enforcement agencies to do, etc.  Motion carried.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  None

Recorded by Karen Sabin