Nicolet College District Board

1. 

PUBLIC INPUT

There was no public input.

2.

Action on Minutes of Regular Meeting – 3/11/08

3.

Action on Minutes of Special Meeting – 4/22/08

4.

Ratification of Business, Industry, and Government Contracts

5.

Ratification of Alternative High School Diploma Contracts

6.

Status of College Accounts, Recap of Expenses, Operational Cost, and Action on Bills Payable

CARLSON MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY KARLING, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, ITEMS 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6 AS FOLLOWS:

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING – 3/11/08

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING – 4/22/08

4. RATIFICATION OF BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

5. RATIFICATION OF HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA CONTRACTS

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS PAYABLE

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A VOICE VOTE.

7.

NICOLET COLLEGE – UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY COLLABORATION TO OFFER BACHELOR’S DEGREE COMPLETION\OPPORTUNITITES IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN

President Lorbetske introduced UW-Green Bay Associate Provost for Outreach and Adult Access Dr. Jan Thornton and UW-Green Bay Program Manager for Adult Degree Programs Eric Craver. Dr. Thornton and Mr. Craver, along with UW-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shephard and other UW-Green Bay staff, were on campus for a press conference and reception held earlier in the day announcing a new initiative that will offer UW-Green Bay courses at Nicolet College. Mr. Craver presented an overview of the program. He explained that classes in Rhinelander, combined with online courses, will enable more Northwoods residents to earn a UW-Green Bay bachelor’s degree. The program is also appropriate for adults who have other prior college credits earned from another college or university or for those who are just beginning. The development of this program was a direct result of the expressed need by a Northwoods resident to UW-System administration for an affordable and convenient way to obtain a UW bachelor’s degree in the Northwoods.

President Lorbetske introduced Grow North Past-President Bart Lamers and Grow North President-Elect Jodi Hanson. Each affirmed the value of this program in providing greater opportunities for higher education in the Northwoods. They noted this program will allow employers to hire locally and to promote internally, reducing the cost for personnel searches and retraining.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES AT THE WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM (WTCS) OFFICE LEVEL

Vice President Kathy Cullen and Executive Assistant Morna Foy provided an update on and/or spoke to the following:

• RISE funding from The Joyce Foundation


• finalization of the 5-year Perkins Plan


• WTCS receipt of the Lumina Foundation Grant Award


• authorization for Western Technical College to offer a university transfer program


• Governor Doyle’s signing of the budget adjustment bill


• development of the next biennial WTCS budget


• the June 24th WTCS State Board Annual Summit with a focus on 2009–2011 strategic directions


• Stakeholder focus groups to be held in Wausau on June 23rd

8.

DEVELOPMENT OF 2008–2009 NICOLET BUDGET

The board reviewed the scenario on which the proposed 2008–09 Nicolet budget was based. President Lorbetske and Vice President Brown presented the latest figures. Full details will be presented in the budget document at the June meeting. Board members will receive the budget document in advance of the meeting.

9.

RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL OF INSTRUCTIONAL POSITION

Vice President Brown reviewed the need for an online/ITV technical position and requested approval of this position. This position was previously discussed at the March 2008 board meeting.

ALBERT MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY MARSHALL, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD APPROVE AN ONLINE / ITV TECHNICIAN POSTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A VOICE VOTE.

10.

38.14 CONTRACTS

Center for Business and Community Education Director Kyle Gruening presented the recommendation for an increase in contract training rates for fiscal year 2008–2009. In response to a question on whether our rates are competitive, Director Gruening noted that within the Wisconsin Technical College System we are on the low end, but in exact alignment with Northcentral Technical College and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

REACH MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY CARLSON, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD ACT TO:

• ADJUST THE STANDARD HOURLY RATE FOR PROVIDING 38.14 CUSTOMIZED CONTRACTS FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM $125 TO $130.


• ADJUST THE CONTRACTED COMPUTER TRAINING HOURLY RATE FROM $135 TO $140 WHEH CONDUCTED IN NICOLET COLLEGE LABS.


• ADJUST THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) AND FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING HOURLY RATE FROM $80 TO $90 FOR IN-DISTRICT OFFERINGS AND FROM $125 TO $130 FOR OUT-OF-DISTRICT OFFERINGS.


• ADJUST THE DISTRICT-TO-DISTRICT HOURLY RATE FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACTS FROM $80 TO $100.


• ADJUST THE HOURLY RATE FOR BASIC ED TRAINING CONTRACTS (FOR JAILS) FROM $45 TO $55.


• ADJUST THE OUT-OF-DISTRICT TRAVEL FEE FROM $75 TO $80.


• ESTABLISH A NEW FLAT FEE OF $700 FOR LEARN TO BURN CONTRACTS.

FEE INCREASES TO BECOME EFFECTIVE AS OF JUNE 1, 2008. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A VOICE VOTE.

11.

MAY 24TH GRADUATIONS AND MAY 25TH BASIC EDUCATION GRADUATION

Bob Martini and Kathleen Marshall stated that they will attend the May 24th Nicolet graduations. Bob Martini stated that he will attend the May 25th basic education graduation.

Vice President Brown noted that there are 422 Nicolet graduates and 158 GED/HSED graduates.

12.

OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS OF THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENTS, AND BOARD MEMBERS

1. The June board meeting was confirmed for Tuesday, June 17th. The July organizational board meeting will be Monday, July 14th in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes.


2. The board will hold a retreat on May 30th to discuss and develop plans for the presidential search.


3. President Lorbetske reported that community meetings were held in Mercer and in the Lakeland area. Two more meetings will be held – one in Tomahawk and one in Elcho.


4. Board Chairman Martini stated that he received a memo regarding the future of sustainability at Nicolet, along with a number of signed petitions. He will share this material with the board and asked that this item be scheduled for a future board meeting.


5. President Lorbetske stated that a Tobacco Free Oneida County Coalition representative has asked to address the board. President Lorbetske said this request will most likely be on the June board meeting agenda.

13.

CLOSED SESSION

CARLSON MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY REACH, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH WIS. STAT. 19.85(1)(b) and (c) TO DISCUSS NEGOTIATIONS AND STAFFING AND TO HEAR A PROBATIONARY FACULTY MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF NON-RENEWAL. ALBERT – AYE, CARLSON – AYE, GRAVEEN – AYE, KARLING – AYE, MARSHALL – AYE, MARTINI – AYE, METROPULOS – AYE, REACH – AYE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A ROLL CALL VOTE.

CARLSON MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY REACH, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. ROLL CALL VOTE: ALBERT – AYE, CARLSON – AYE, GRAVEEN – AYE, KARLING – AYE, MARSHALL – AYE, MARTINI – AYE, METROPULOS – AYE, REACH – AYE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A ROLL CALL VOTE.

14.

REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION

Chairman Martini reported that the board discussed negotiations and staffing, and heard testimony and examined exhibits related to the non-renewal of a probationary faculty member.

Human Resources Director Dan Groleau reviewed the negotiated agreement reached with the faculty.

15.

ACTION ON FINAL NOTICE OF NON-RENEWAL

METROPULOS MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY REACH, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD ISSUE A FINAL NOTICE OF NON-RENEWAL TO PROBATIONARY FACULTY MEMBER PETER JENSEN. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 – YES, 1 – ABSTAIN. MOTION CARRIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE.

16.

ACTION ON THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD AND NICOLET AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION

ALBERT MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY MARSHALL, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD RATIFY THE NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT BETWEEN NICOLET AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION AND NICOLET AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE, JULY 1, 2008 TO JUNE 30, 2010. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A VOICE VOTE.