NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Monday, February 25, 2008, oleson center

CALL TO ORDER — Chair Walter J. Hooper called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Elaine Wood moved to approve the agenda.  Seconded by Ross Childs, the motion carried.

WRITING CENTER REPORT - Karen Giddis, Writing Center Coordinator, gave an update on the organization’s activities, which started in 1986. They now have 22 readers and last semester read more than 1000 papers. They have continued to expand their services to meet student needs, such as working with ESL students and providing reading tutors in elementary schools.

WORKFORCE AND ENRICHMENT CRITERIA - Craig Mulder, Executive Director of Learning Resources and Technologies, answered questions about the written reports provided in advance on Workforce Criteria and Enrichment Criteria.

CAMPUS MINISTRY - Anne Monroe, Dean for Student Services, provided a report on use of office space by Campus Ministry, updated the Board on the status of the new Student Christian Ministry Organization, and explained how student organizations are entitled to free meeting space on campus.  Chuck Judson provided a brief overview of his legal opinion.

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT - Cathy Jones asked if there were any questions regarding the monthly report.   There were none.

FOUNDATION FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT - Ross Childs reported that the NMC Foundation’s Finance and Audit Committee:

• Heard a presentation from Huntington Bank on their NMC Foundation portfolio investment performance outcomes.  The portfolio market value is $5,724,568 as of February 15, 2008. Investments produced a fiscal year-to-date rate of return of .29% as of December 31, 2007.
• Received an overall Foundation portfolio performance report from Cheryl Sullivan for the quarter ending 12-31-07 reflecting a (1.08%) net return and a net fiscal year-to-date time weighted rate of return of 0.76%.
• Received a fiscal year-to-date statement of activity for the Foundation which reflects net revenue of $1,439,911 as of December 31, 2007.
• Discussed investment manager performance with regard to the Foundation’s investment philosophy and expectations and the need to provide the banks with direct assessment feedback.

FOUNDATION REPORT - Doug Bishop reported that:

• The 2007-08 Annual Campaign has reached 93% of goal, with $308,000 raised so far.  We hope to meet or exceed our goal very soon.
• The BBQ advance ticket sales kick off at the Grand Traverse Mall on Feb. 16 was a huge success.  Nearly 650 tickets were sold and BBQ awareness increased as a result.
• The NMC Scholarship Open committee, under the volunteer leadership of Nick Edson, is actively recruiting sponsors for this year’s event on Aug. 7.  Please mark your calendars.   The NMC Open is now the funding source for our Honors, Divisional and Presidential Scholarships, totaling nearly $100,000 annually.  It’s an important event which helps us recognize top-performing students for their academic achievements, thanks to our sponsors and players.

BOARD POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT - Committee Chair Jay Hooper reported that the Policy Committee did not meet last month.

BOARD CHAIR REPORT - Board Chair Jay Hooper had no report.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT - President Tim Nelson provided an update on activities in Lansing, including legislative priorities of the Michigan Community College Association. They include: a revision to the state retirement system to limit new entries to the defined benefits plan; consideration of a workforce development bonding system, similar to one used in Iowa; and a study on granting permissive baccalaureate degrees for a limited number of programs, such as Nursing.

PUBLIC INPUT - Trustees heard comments from nine members of the public, most of whom asked that NMC Campus Ministry, a private organization, be given office space on campus.  Trustees heard comments from fourteen Great Lakes Maritime Academy alumni who spoke highly of the program and its importance to the community, and asked the Board to continue to support the program and its staff.

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

• Minutes of the January 24-25, 2008 retreat and the January28, 2008 regular meeting
• Contributions for January 2008 totaling $304,325.30
• Summary Report for General Fund Accounts as of January 31, 2008 (attached).

AMENDMENT TO RESOURCE GUIDELINES - Doug Bishop made a motion, seconded by Elaine Wood, that the amendment to the Resource Guidelines for FY09 be approved as presented.

BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS - On a motion by Doug Bishop, seconded by Bob Brick, the administration was authorized to implement the FY08 General Fund budget adjustment transfers as presented.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Campus Ministry and student organizations - Chair Jay Hooper acknowledged that trustees heard testimony from Campus Ministry at two meetings; heard a report from Anne Monroe, Dean of Students; and received a legal opinion regarding dedicated use of office space by Campus Ministries. He noted that if the board decides to take any action, it will be at the next meeting. Trustees noted the value of campus ministry, discussed the process student groups follow to reserve meeting space, and pointed out what the board can and can’t do as a publicly funded body according to the legal opinion provided.

Budget process update - The budget process update was presented by Cathy Jones, Vice President of Finance and Administration. She indicated that, for the 2008-09 budget under development, there is a current unmet need of at least $760,000. She indicated that projections would become more clear in the coming weeks as information about tax revenues is known. Among the items that are big drivers of the expense category are medical benefits and the additional funds being spent on Campus Security.

Recorded by Karen Sabin