The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today approved four new academic programs. Those that will begin with the fall 2019 semester are: certificate in applied workplace leadership; certificate in hospitality and tourism management; bachelor's in social media design management; and master's in mathematics. A master's degree in speech-language pathology will be introduced in summer 2021.
In other action at today's meeting, the board:
-Agreed that the 2019-20 general fund budget continue at a level no greater than the previous year until a new budget is approved, except for increases required by existing or newly negotiated union contracts.
-Approved schematic design services for the Career and Engineering Technology Facility, at a cost of $450,000. NMU selected four firms, from among 11 that submitted proposals, for on-campus interviews May 15-17. One firm will be selected to provide design services soon after and begin its work in June.
-Named Marguerite Moore of the School of Health and Human Performance the Mark R. and Eileen Lovell Professor, effective July 1.
-Conferred tenure to the following faculty members, effective Aug. 21: Brandon Canfield, Chemistry; Joshua Carlson, Psychological Science; Erin Colwitz, Music; Norma Froelich, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (EEGS); Yuba Gautam, Health and Human Performance; Monica McFawn, English; Sarah Mittlefehldt, EEGS; and Madison Ngafeeson, Business.
-Promoted the following faculty members to the rank of professor, effective Aug. 21: Amy Hamilton, English; Michael Letts, Art and Design; April Lindala, Native American Studies; Jacqueline Medina, Health an Human Performance; Melissa Romero, Nursing; Gary Stark, Business; and Jeff Vickers, Music.
-Promoted the following faculty members to the rank of associate professor, effective Aug. 21: Erin Colwitz, Music; Norma Froelich, EEGS; Scott Jordan, Health and Human Performance; Monica McFawn, English; Yuba Gautam, Health and Human Performance; and Madison Ngafeeson, Business.
-Renewed the following charter school academy contracts through June 30, 2024: Francis Reh Academy; East Shore Leadership Academy; and North Star Montessori Academy. George Crocket Academy was reauthorized for a term not exceeding two years, with an opportunity to add three additional years upon satisfying contractual obligations established by the NMU Charter Schools Office director.
-Agreed to delete the associate and bachelor's degree programs in liberal arts and sciences, the master's degree in training and performance improvement and the post-master's certificate for family nurse practitioner.
-Appointed new Trustee Bridget Summers of Baraga to the board's finance committee.
-Approved a revised Board of Trustees meeting schedule for calendar year 2019, moving the July meeting ahead by a day to Wednesday-Thursday, July 17-18.