NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 15 and 16, 2009
Arcturos Room, Black Star Farms
10844 E. Revold Rd., Suttons Bay, MI

January 15, 2009

CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 12:45 p.m., Thursday, January 15, 2009 by Walter “Jay” Hooper.

PUBLIC INPUT – There was no public input.

Tim Nelson welcomed trustees and thanked them for taking time to work on important college business.  He and the board reviewed and discussed the ACCT talking points, The Value of Holding Board Retreats, included in the meeting materials.

FALL 2008 ACCOMPLISHMENTS – At the request of Vice-Chair Ross Childs, President Nelson shared a PowerPoint presentation used at Spring 2009 Opening Conference to communicate some of the college’s significant accomplishments during Fall 2008 semester.  Individual items were discussed at some length upon questions from Trustees. 

New Economy Presentation – President Nelson led a discussion on factors supporting the “new” or “knowledge” economy.  This presentation has been given to multiple organizations throughout the region and is based in part on work done by Dr. Soji Adalaja from Michigan State University.  Numerous regional leaders are working to develop a common framework and language that will help to implement changes consistent with this model as well as with findings from the Grand Vision project.

Policy Governance Review – Trustees reviewed the Carver Policy Governance model, which has been guiding their work for many years.  They reviewed current policies that relate to board-president relations, institutional ends, institutional limitations, and Board responsibilities.  A conversation regarding the history of the development of the Carver model at NMC was led by Cheryl Follette, the only trustee who was on the Board at the time this method was adopted.

President Nelson distributed a summary of the Open Meetings Act for trustees’ information and discussion. 

The Board’s committee system was discussed.  According to Board policies, the Board Chair is charged with making committee assignments. Chair-elect Ross Childs asked trustees to let him know which committees they are interested in serving on in the coming year.    These will be addressed at the organizational meeting of the Board on January 26, 2009.

Strategic Goals UPDATE:  Part I
Decision making initiative – President Nelson reviewed the AQIP project outcomes for the Decision Making project.  This included walking a sample project through the flowchart that was provided as part of the retreat packet.  The Board was pleased with the process as it is now defined and believes it will benefit both the college and our communities.

Strategic Enrollment Management – President Nelson reviewed the strategic initiative of Strategic Enrollment Management, which is closely aligned with the decision making project.  A template diagram showing the relationship among different planning areas of the institution was reviewed.  Principal to this approach is a requirement to evaluate existing or emerging learner needs, balancing these with an overall view of the institutional portfolio of offerings and making appropriate modifications.  A discussion on the outcome of the courses being taught at Suttons Bay High School was related to this initiative.  The Board looks forward to seeing further implementation of enrollment management principles.  

January 16, 2009

CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m., Friday, January 16, 2009 by Chair Walter “Jay” Hooper.

PUBLIC INPUT – There was no public input.

STRATEGIC GOALS UPDATE: Part II

American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan – On Thursday evening, President Nelson received an email from the State of Michigan requesting further information and potential additions to projects that might qualify for American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan funding.  The Board discussed projects currently in NMC’s State of Michigan Five Year Plan and well as other potential projects.  President Nelson informed the Board there was still not a lot of information from either the State or the Federal government about the details for this program.  However, much discussion has been directed toward projects that would result in modernizing infrastructures, greening campus operations and creating immediate and long term jobs.  President Nelson offered to seek additional information and report to the Board via email.  The State request is to be submitted by noon, January 21, 2009.

Dennos Museum Center – The Board discussed the outcomes of the feasibility study conducted on potential fundraising campaigns for the Dennos.  They also discussed the strategic positioning of Dennos within NMC to be more central to the academic issues related to culture and global connectedness.  President Nelson told the Board that this was a part of the strategic initiative and a further progress report should be expected later this semester.

Water Studies Institute –The Board reviewed the presentation they received from WSI Director Hans Van Sumeren.  They are pleased with the current progress being made and look forward to additional implementation reports on items contained in the presentation.

Great Lakes Maritime Academy – President Nelson reviewed the status of two major undertakings for GLMA.  First is recruiting of the student population.  We are ahead of our targets for this year and are ahead of our position at the same time last year.  We are still working out details with Ferris State University relating to financial aid.  Second, he reviewed the status of potential state funding.  Now that a new legislature has been seated, NMC personnel will be returning to Lansing for further discussions.

Energy – The current status of energy programs and a discussion on the potential for engineering programs in the Grand Traverse area was held.  President Nelson advised the Board that the questions of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs in the area are under consideration and going through the college’s decision making process. The college is considering everything from a STEM Early/Middle College approach through a vertically integrated delivery option that could include engineering research. The first steps however, are to determine the existing and potential markets for such learning ideas.

MCCA STRATEGIC GOALS

New Job Training Act – President Nelson reviewed the Act as signed by Governor Granholm.  Vice President Marguerite Cotto is a member of a state-wide team that is refining the details, forms and rules that will govern delivery of the program.  Once these are completed, the Board will review them and determine to what extent they wish to participate.

Community College Baccalaureate –   President Nelson reviewed the status of the MCCA efforts to change legislation to allow the delivery of select baccalaureate degrees by community colleges.  The board discussed potential degrees that NMC might be interested in providing.

STRATEGIC POSITIONING STATEMENTS – President Nelson reviewed a powerpoint and article on strategic positioning of community colleges.  Three principal positions are: local, regional/state, and global.  The board discussed the merits of each.  President Nelson relayed the position recommended by multiple meetings held with faculty and staff and asked the board to repeat the same exercise.  The outcome from the board was consistent with that of prior groups.

ADJOURNMENT – The retreat was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2009.

Recorded by Timothy J. Nelson