NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEEs
Monday, March 24, 2008, Oleson Center

CALL TO ORDER — Secretary Bob Brick called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

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

REPORTS:

Insurance Certificates and Program Concentration – Mary Ann Linsell told the trustees that about a year ago the Business Academic Area was contacted by the Bay Area Insurance Association (BAIA).  They were looking for a vehicle to fill training needs in the local area for both ongoing employee training and education and training for new entrants to the industry. The result is that the Business area is proposing for board approval three certificate programs and one new concentration option for the Business Administration degree at NMC.  Mary Ann introduced Grady Jordan, chair of the Higher Education Local Insurance (HELI) group, a sub-committee of BAIA.  He sees the program as three-fold:  1) offering NMC students a concentration in insurance; 2) offering those who are changing careers both credit and noncredit training options; and 3) providing the licensing option to people already working in the industry.  It is important because agents are aging and they need to bring young people into the industry.  Trustees were pleased that the college could meet a need that was initiated locally.

Food Service Provider – Ed Bailey told trustees that the RFP focused on a comprehensive food plan that will meet the needs of our 4,000+ commuter students, residence hall students, faculty and staff. Three bids were received and the results are included in the board materials. A committee was charged with analyzing the bids and making a recommendation. Trustees are being asked to authorize the administration to negotiate a contract with Sodexho to provide all food service needs except for Hagerty Center.  Cheryl Follette asked for clarification regarding catering; Ed said Sodexho will provide catering, but it will not be “exclusive.”

Budget Development Update – Cathy Jones reported that Planning and Budget Council continues to work on the budget.  They are getting a good feel on the revenue streams and also getting a handle on the expense side.  The first full board discussion of the FY09 budget will take place in April.

Monthly Financial Report – Cathy Jones asked if there were any questions regarding the monthly financial report.  There were none.

Foundation Finance and Audit Committee Report – Bob Brick, for Ross Childs, noted that the committee did not meet.

Foundation Report – Doug Bishop reported that:

• NMC will host a meeting of Michigan Community College Foundation Directors on April 14.  The group meets twice annually for professional development and information sharing.
• We have a robust ticket pre-sale strategy underway for this year’s May 18th BBQ.  In addition to the kickoff event at the Grand Traverse Mall last month, we’re now engaged in a full-court press with service clubs.  Members of the BBQ pre-sale committee are visiting area service clubs to make brief presentations about the BBQ and offer tickets for sale throughout the next several weeks.  Remember, this is the year that we’ll serve our 500,000th BBQ-goer and mark the occasion with a drawing for a full-tuition scholarship provided by the NMC Foundation.  The BBQ Board is chaired this year by Dennis Padgett.
• The NMC Scholarship Open is off to a great start under the leadership of Nick Edson.  Our tournament sponsor again this year is Century, Inc.  New this year, in addition to their tournament sponsorship, is a matching gift incentive to increase the bottom line and raise even more dollars for our Honors, Divisional and Presidential Scholars.
• You’re all invited to the Annual Scholarship Luncheon, coming up in just a few weeks.  This is our annual opportunity to bring scholarship donors and recipients together to celebrate giving and receiving.  It’s always a memorable event.
• We thanked our Annual Fund Campaign volunteers at a breakfast in their honor this past week.  Co-chairs Susan Sheldon and Bruce Byl reported the campaign’s successes including a record number of total donors, a record number of first-time donors to the campaign and 95% of the goal raised.   We have just $15,000 more to go.  Let’s close this report with a special message from our students.

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

Board Chair Report – In the chair’s absence, there was no report.

President’s Report – President Nelson:

• thanked Mary Ann Linsell and the insurance advisory group for their work on the Insurance Certificate programs.
• asked Ed to express his appreciation to the work teams that have been involved with food service and campus security.
• reported that there are a number of full-year Florida residents who are still friends of the college.  He and others recently criss-crossed the state visiting some of them.  He thanked Kathleen Guy, Gene Jenneman, and Chris Studenka for organizing the visits and joining him in this effort.

PUBLIC INPUT – Trustees heard comments from:

• Dan Henke, who said his prior office space was “shared,” in that SGA members used the computer, the custodians ate their lunch there, and the shelving could be used by other groups.  He also said that when students came in he helped them, regardless of their faith.
•  Matthew Schoech, who expressed appreciation to trustees for hearing him and his support for Campus Ministry. He read from an article clarifying “separation of church and state” vs. “separation of religion and state.”
• Bill Wiesner, who commented on the moving video and encouraged the board to give students spiritual choices.
• Mel Straight, who noted there are board policies where, if they allow other organizations in the community to access space on campus, they cannot deny access on religious grounds.  He suggested that the board look at NMC to see what other organizations have offices on campus that are non-curricular.

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

• Minutes of the February 25, 2008 regular meeting
• Contributions for February 2008 totaling $155,323.03
• Summary Report for General Fund Accounts as of February 29, 2008 (attached).

ACTION ITEMS

Insurance Certifications and Program Concentration – On a motion by Cheryl Follette, seconded by Doug Bishop, trustees approved creation of three new certificate programs and one new concentration option for the Business Administration degree, as follows:

1. Insurance (Level I Certificate)
2. Insurance (Level II Certificate)
3. Insurance (Level III Certificate)
4. Business Administration, Insurance Concentration (AAS)

Cheryl Follette commented that t his is exactly what the board has been looking for.  Elaine Wood agreed, noting that the initiative was industry led, and NMC responded.

Food Services Provider – Cheryl Follette made a motion, seconded by Doug Bishop, to authorize the administration to negotiate a five-year contractural agreement with Sodexho to provide food, catering and vending services at NMC as presented.  Motion carried.

University Center HVAC – On a motion by Cheryl Follette, seconded by Doug Bishop, the board authorized the administration to enter into a contractual agreement with Trane for the upgrade and replacement of the HVA control systems on the upper level of the University Center in the amount of $67,790, plus a 5% contingency for a total project cost of $71,179.00. 

Harbor Dredging – Doug Bishop made a motion to authorize the administration to enter into an agreement with Molon Excavating for the Great Lakes Campus harbor dredging in the amount of $61,500, plus a 5% contingency for a total project cost of $64,575.00.  Motion carried. 

In response to trustee questions, Ed Bailey noted that: 1) the work will be completed by May 1st; 2) our dredging permit requires us to haul the dredged materials (clean sand in this case) off site; and 3) he will explore selling the sand.

Housing Rates – The Board approved the housing rates shown below on a motion by Doug Bishop, seconded by Bill Myers.

DISCUSSION ITEM - NMC Campus Security Services
Ed Bailey, Director of Campus Services, summarized recent history in this area, which includes contracting for professional management and security staff. He also updated Trustees on initiatives including training, emergency response preparedness, and emergency communications protocols.  Cheryl Follette requested more detailed incident data. Doug Bishop commended Ed Bailey and his staff for their efforts in this area. He noted that if there is a significant incident, we will be held accountable.

Recorded by Karen Sabin