NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Monday, March 23, 2009, Oleson Center

CALL TO ORDER –

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – On a motion by Doug Bishop, seconded by Cheryl Follette, the agenda was approved.

REPORTS:

Institutional Effectiveness Portfolio: Champion – Anne Monroe, Darby Hiller and Rich Wolin reported on the Champion criterion as part of NMC’s portfolio review process.  The Champion criterion examines NMC’s processes for understanding student and stakeholder needs and supporting the organization so NMC is a place in which learning can thrive. 

Monthly Financial Report – Comparing February 2009 to February 2008, both revenues and expenses have increased by 3 percent, the former due to higher tuition and the latter to timing of payments.  Capital Outlay is projected to come back in-line with budget through the rest of the year. There were no questions regarding this month’s financial report.

Budget Development – President Tim Nelson shared that figures from MCCA indicate NMC could receive $618,700 a year in federal stimulus funds for three years – 2009, 2010 and 2011 – if tuition is frozen.  If the college receives this money, it will be used for capacity building purposes.  He noted that Scenario #1 in the budget model is still his recommendation.  Trustees have the option of setting tuition for fall semester only, but President Nelson stated he is not sure how that would impact the tuition tax credit.  He noted that tuition can be set and reset by trustees at any time.

Bill Myers made a motion to take no action on tuition at this evening’s meeting.  There was no second to that motion.

Chair Ross Childs read a letter submitted by Jan Oliver, Administrative/Professional Council chair, stating that their group supports President Nelson’s budget proposal and feels it is a good balance between the long term strength of the college and the near term need to respond to our communities.  Jay Hooper said he supports Scenario #1.  Doug Bishop stated that no one is protesting the proposed tuition rates, it is still the best deal around, and he supports tuition as proposed.  Susan Sheldon supports Scenario #1, with no contingencies.

Foundation Report – Doug Bishop reported the following:

• The Foundation Board welcomed four new members at its February 25 meeting: Mike Ascione, Pete Peterson, Susan Sheldon and Timothy Young. The Board also accepted the resignation of Chuck Judson and appointed him an Emeritus member of the Foundation.
• NMC’s Annual Community Campaign has exceeded its goal of 100 first-time donors with 101 as of March 13. Total dollars raised to date is $336,238 or 96% of the $350,000 goal. Alumni gifts through the new “Power of 10” appeal have resulted in gifts from 82 NMC Alumni compared to 13 last year. Their average gift is $54. The Annual Campaign has resulted in five new scholarships being established, with two more in process.
• A format change is on tap this year for the NMC Scholarship Open. It will be a scramble only tournament with shotgun start, and the day will end with an awards reception in place of the banquet. The tournament, in its 29th year, is being held August 6 at Crystal Mountain Resort.  Doug invited all to participate as golfers and sponsors.
• In an effort to offer encouragement to students paying for college, the NMC Foundation and Institutional Advancement staff has been focusing on scholarship communication with the public, students and donors. In late February, NMC ran full-page ads in the Record-Eagle listing all of our privately funded scholarships and current year recipients. Mr. Bishop reported that we received positive donor comments about these impressive lists, and even had a request to create a new scholarship as a result of the ads.  As we prepare for the coming academic year, we have been communicating with scholarship donors about the status of their funds.  In some cases, we’ve requested additional contributions where endowment earnings are down due to investment performance.  Some additional gifts have been received.
• The Foundation Finance & Audit Committee hasn’t met since our last Board of Trustees meeting.  The Committee will meet on April 22.

BBQ Board report – Susan Sheldon reported on the following:

• A successful Barbecue kickoff was held February 21 at the Grand Traverse Mall. 200 tickets were sold. Area schools who provided volunteers will receive $1 for each ticket sold during their time slot.
• The Barbecue Board has selected more than $40,000 in projects to fund with proceeds from this year’s event, including computer based diagnostic equipment for Automotive Technology, digital radiography equipment for Health Occupations, a “duct blaster” that evaluates energy efficiency for the Energy Demonstration Center, a new server for classroom recording and online publishing requested by Educational Media Technologies, and a 3-dimensional printer for Art and Drafting & Design.
• Ticket sales are roughly even at the same point last year. Susan encouraged Trustees and others to purchase blocks of tickets that they can offer as gifts to your co-workers, customers and friends—still only $5 each, it’s the best deal in town.

Board Policy Committee Report – Chair Cheryl Gore Follette reported that the Committee recommends approval of Policy D-500.02, Sensitive Information Policy, to assure that NMC is in compliance with the statutory requirements. 

Board Chair Report – no report

President’s Report – no report

PUBLIC INPUT – There was no public input.

ACTION ITEMS

Adoption of Board Policy D-500.02 Sensitive Information Policy – Cheryl Follette made a motion to adopt Policy D-500.02 Sensitive Information Policy on a first reading basis.  Seconded by Doug Bishop, the motion carried.

Graduation Requirements – Doug Bishop made a motion, seconded by Susan Sheldon, to approve changes to the graduation requirements for the Associates in Science and Arts Degree and the Associates in General Studies Degree to require a minimum of one designated cultural perspective/diversity course; and to clarify the required number of elective credits, effective Fall semester 2009.  Motion carried.

SunGard Higher Education Purchase – On a motion by Jay Hooper, seconded by Doug Bishop, the board authorized the administration to enter into a contractual agreement with SunGard Higher Education for the purchase and installation of their Flexible Registration software and consulting services to facilitate the online registration for Extended Educational Services and Training, Research, Assessment and Coaching (TRAC) courses at a cost not to exceed $86,000, to be funded from the FY09 general operating fund.

Tuition Rates - Cheryl Follette made a motion to approve tuition and general fee rates for the 2009-10 academic year on a contact-hour basis, as follows:

The motion was seconded by Jay Hooper.  Chair Ross Childs called the vote: Bishop, yes; Follette, yes; Hooper, yes; Myers, no; Sheldon, yes; Childs, yes.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 7:55p.m.

Recorded by Karen Sabin