NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 24 and 25, 2008
4:00 p.m., Arcturo Room, Black Star Farms
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2008 by Chair Walter (Jay) Hooper.
| ROLL CALL | ||
| Trustees present: | Douglas Bishop, Robert Brick, Cheryl Gore Follette, Walter J. Hooper, William Myers, Elaine Wood | |
| Trustees absent: | K. Ross Childs | |
| Also present: | Timothy J. Nelson, Kathleen Guy, Marguerite Cotto |
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no public input.
DISCUSSION - Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tim Nelson welcomed trustees and thanked them for taking time to work on important college business. He and the board reviewed the ACCT talking points, The Value of Holding Board Retreats.
STRATEGIC GOALS UPDATE: Part II – Decision making initiative
Trustees reviewed the strategic goal emphases for the 2007-08 academic year. Tim shared the charge of the Strategic Management Concepts Group, whose role is to assist him in addressing Strategic Initiative #3, Decision Making. He reported that the Action Project Declaration for Improving Decision Making was submitted to AQ IP in January, which calls for a target project completion date of January 31, 2009. Characteristics of an effective decision making process were discussed.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Nelson reported briefly on the following topics that may require trustees’ attention in the near future. Most will be scheduled for public discussion at study sessions and regular meetings.
Programs:
Off-site delivery to local K-12 schools – The board discussed the information provided by Stephen Siciliano regarding requests by area educators to extend NMC’s Learner One instruction to two different high school campuses. Because state requirements for high school graduation are changing, Vice President Siciliano believes other school districts may also be interested in this concept. Under NMC policies, the Board is charged with deciding what we offer, where and to whom we offer it. This discussion will be continued at the January 28 regular meeting.
Operations:
Community College Baccalaureate – President Nelson explained the interest by some community colleges in becoming authorized by the State of Michigan to provide baccalaureate degrees in specific areas. The University Center’s procedures for establishing new credit programs was reviewed and discussed. Tim said he will keep trustees updated as further developments occur in this area.
Campus Services: Housing, Food Service, Security – Tim reported that Student Services has been having conversations about the changing needs and expectations of residence hall students and the impact these changes are having on NMC. Needs and expectations are also changing in the areas of food service and security. Trustees can expect discuss these issues at meetings in the spring.
Resources:
Differential tuition models – Tim discussed the potential for changing to a differential tuition model that would contrast with the current geographical tuition model. Trustees can expect to discuss this option at a future meeting after alternative models are completed.
Headlee Rollback and expanded districts – Trustees discussed a written analysis of the financial impact of a Headlee Rollback and expanded districts, which was prepared by Stephen Siciliano and Cathy Jones at the board’s request. The board asked President Nelson to find out which, if any, of Michigan community colleges have requested a Headlee Rollback and whether they were successful.
Grants / Endowments – Tim discussed the Foundation’s progress on pursuing operating endowment for the college. Additionally he discussed plans to hire a grants writer whose initial efforts would be directed toward water studies, energy, and cultural programming.
Michigan New Jobs Training Program – Tim explained that MCCA has developed a new economic development incentive proposal entitled Michigan New Jobs Training Program (NMJTP). If approved, it would authorize community colleges to issue debt on behalf of employers that are creating new jobs and/or expanding operations in Michigan for the purpose of funding job training. The MNJTP would provide flexible funding to meet a variety of training and development needs, ranging from highly specialized and customized training to basic skill development for new jobs. The principal and interest payments on the debt would be paid by capturing the incremental increase in the state income tax associated with the new employees’ wages and redirecting it to the college instead of the state. Trustees reviewed the employer role, community college role and State role in this concept. Tim said further discussion on this proposal will take place at the MCCA Board of Directors meeting on February 1 and 2.
Trustees recessed at 6:30 p.m.
DISCUSSION – Friday, January 25, 2008
The Board reconvened at 8:00 a.m.
STRATEGIC GOALS UPDATE: Part II
Strategic positioning of Dennos Museum Center – Kathleen Guy briefly reviewed Dennos Museum’s 16-year history. She said that currently Dennos has limited growth and programming possibilities due to its financial resource base and current space and physical configuration. Dennos’ future vision and long-term success depends on an infusion of new funds. Kathleen emphasized that new sources of sustainable operating revenue will be required even to continue the current level of programming. Trustees reviewed “Building for the Future” and “A Legacy Endowment for the Future” proposals, as well as a summary of Community Attitudes and Awareness survey results. The Board provided feedback and questions. President Nelson agreed to provide a report including answers to questions posed during the March study session.
Lifelong and Professional Learning (LPL) Reorganization – Marguerite Cotto provided an update on LPL, which includes Extended Educational Services, Aviation and Technical academic disciplines (collaboratively managed with Educational Services), University Center, Training and Research Services (TRAC), GL Water Studies Institute, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, and special projects such as the Health Education Institute. All LPL units are seeking to make both programmatic and service level changes over the next few years. There is interest in establishing a director-level position that can provide leadership in areas such as LEAN implementation and serve as an additional level of support for select areas of outreach and communications currently managed directly by the VP. Three of four NMC strategic priorities are located within the LPL units. Reorganization outcomes include:
Strategic positioning of Great Lakes Water Studies Institute – Marguerite Cotto explained that at this point in WSI’s evolution, and as one of NMC’s strategic priorities, WSI is poised to formalize its structure within the organization and to shape its public mission more clearly and with focus. She reviewed WSI’s past funding and its achievements and explained that to continue this level of achievement WSI needs to engage in the following efforts:
Strategic Positioning of Great Lakes Maritime Academy – Marguerite Cotto discussed the current state of the planning processes for GLMA. Successful articulation agreements are in place with Delta College, St. Clair Shores Community College, and Ferris State University. Recruiting continues to be an area of focus as is industry concern over the number of program graduates. President Nelson informed the board that he and Ms. Cotto will be meeting with industry representatives in Cleveland in mid-February. He will report to the Board after that meeting. As with all programs, he emphasized the importance of providing a quality experience for the student cadets with a sustainable delivery model.
Strategic positioning of Energy Demonstration Center – Marguerite Cotto discussed the college’s efforts to attract an engineering program to the University Center. Michigan Tech interest continues to be slow. A final call was issued to UC partners and the University of Michigan has expressed some initial interest. This will be pursued prior to issuing an RFP to out-of-state universities. Discussion of funding and potential partners for the alternative energy program were discussed. President Nelson will follow up on these suggestions and report back to the Board at a future Board meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The retreat was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 25, 2008
Recorded by Tim Nelson
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