The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today recognized the “outstanding performance” of President Fritz Erickson with the approval of a new long-term presidential contract. The five-year contract places Erickson’s base salary at $385,000. It also includes a performance-based bonus component, through which he will receive $50,000 for achieving established goals in 2017-18.
“This contract recognizes and rewards President Erickson for his outstanding leadership and measurable achievements in recent years,” said NMU Board Chair Robert Mahaney. “He has led two consecutive years of double digit enrollment growth at a time when Michigan is experiencing a significant decline in high school graduates. In addition, President Erickson has steered Northern to significant progress in developing nationally recognized new academic programming, the build-out of the wireless Educational Access Network across the U.P. and a 34 percent increase in fundraising this past year.”
Mahaney also noted that this contract makes Northern competitive on a state and national level, while still maintaining a compensation package below the median for university presidents in Michigan.
“There are many universities across the country seeking someone with President Erickson’s track record, especially in regard to enrollment success,” he said. “This package ensures that Northern will continue its strong momentum under President Erickson’s leadership for years to come.”
In connection with the announcement of the new contract, Northern’s Board also reiterated its goals for the university in the upcoming year.
“We will continue to pursue the goals described in the university’s strategic plan,” stated Board Vice Chair Steve Mitchell. “This includes completion of the university’s Strategic Resource Allocation project, a campus master plan update, and the planning of a major fundraising campaign. Northern’s future is bright and we appreciate the efforts of President Erickson and his leadership team in guiding the university to the strong position it enjoys today.”
Erickson became Northern’s 15th president in July 2014. His academic areas of expertise are in education, technology and psychology.
“I just want to express my appreciation to the board for showing its confidence in me and the entire team,” said Erickson in response to the new contract. “Jan and I are delighted that we will be able to stay in this community and look forward to finishing our career at Northern. I remain committed to guiding the university to continued success and achieving the goals identified in Northern’s strategic plan.”
In other action during today’s brief business session, the board:
-Agreed to appoint the board chair and/or his designee and the president to review sexual misconduct investigation reports and submit certifications, as required, and take other action necessary to comply with its requirements. This relates to Section 265b of Public Act 265 of 2018, commonly referred to as the appropriations boilerplate.
-Approved a three-year extension for Anderson, Tackman & Company to serve as NMU’s external auditors.
-Agreed to change the name of the Learning Resources Division to Broadcast & Audio-Visual Services, effective Aug. 1.
-Agreed that the newly constructed Football Center in the Superior Dome be named the “Rick and Nancy Hacht Football Center” and the interior reception space be named the “John and Shirley Berry Alumni Reception Area.” Both donors provided major gifts toward the project.
-Approved faculty and administrative personnel appointments.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NMU Board of Trustees is scheduled Sept. 20-21.