Nicolet College District Board

1.  

PUBLIC INPUT

There was no public input.

2.  

Action on Minutes of the Annual Organizational Meeting – 7/14/08

3.

Ratification of Business, Industry, and Government Contracts

4.

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

Regarding the minutes of the July 14 meeting, specifically the Tobacco Free Oneida County Coalition item, Board Member Reach asked that it be noted that the concern she raised was about enforcement of a tobacco free policy.

PETERS MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY MARSHALL, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, ITEMS 2, 3, AND 4 AS FOLLOWS:

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AS AMENDED – 7/14/08

3. RATIFICATION OF BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

4. APPROVAL OF BILLS PAYABLE

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A VOICE VOTE.

5.

Resolution Awarding the Sale of $1,400,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes; Providing the Form of the Notes; and Levying a Tax in Connection Therewith

President Lorbetske stated that this agenda item is a routine follow up to the passage of the 2008–2009 budget in June. Carol Wirth, President of Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals, LLC, reviewed the Summary of Sale Results. Ms. Wirth provided an overview of Moody's opinion on Nicolet's financial stability and noted that Moody's Investors Service recently reconfirmed the college's Aa2 rating. Moody's noted the following as contributing to Nicolet's financial stability:

• A largely rural tax base which is expanding at an above average pace


• Solid reserve levels that are expected to continue


• Modest debt burden and rapid principal retirement

MARTINI MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY PETERS, THAT THE NICOLET COLLEGE BOARD APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF $1,400,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION PROMISSORY NOTES; PROVIDING THE FORM OF THE NOTES; AND LEVYING A TAX IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. MOTION CARRIED UANIMOUSLY ON A VOICE VOTE.

6.

Silver Lake College Articulation

The following representatives from Silver Lake College were present for the formal signing of an articulation agreement with Nicolet College:

Dr. George Grinde, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Perry White, Vice President for Advancement

Dr. Jane Bishop, Vice President for Enrollment Management

Through this articulation agreement Nicolet's Business Management, Accounting, and Information Technology programs are articulated with Silver Lake's Bachelor of Science Degree in Management program. Silver Lake's first junior level courses offered in Rhinelander will be for Business Management students. 

7.

Presentation by Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association (WTCDBA) Executive Director

WTCDBA President John Lukas thanked Board Chair Carlson for time on the agenda, commended Board Member Martini for his service the past two years as Nicolet board chair, and thanked all the board members for their support of District Boards Association activities. President Lukas spoke about some of the items board members are inserviced on at quarterly meetings. He encouraged attendance at the October 2008 quarterly meeting and at the January 2009 biennial legislative seminar.

WTCDBA Executive Director Paul Gabriel commended President Lorbetske for his leadership both at Nicolet and within the Wisconsin Technical College System. Mr. Gabriel thanked Nicolet staff in general for their support of the Boards Association and specifically acknowledged Community Relations Director Sandy Kinney for her contributions. Mr. Gabriel then provided an update and information on the following:

• the fall elections


• the 2009–2011 State budget process


• the Wisconsin Technical College System Next Generation Workforce Strategic Budget Initiative

8.

Visit to Nicolet from Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) President Dan Clancy and University of Wisconsin-System President Kevin Reilly

President Lorbetske thanked Board members Reach, Carlson, and Peters for attending the joint presentation by WTCS President Clancy and UW-System President Reilly on July 21st. Board Members Reach, Carlson, and Peters each shared their positive observations about the presentation.

President Lorbetske noted he has been invited, along with President Clancy, to an event hosted by President Reilly in conjunction with the upcoming UW Board of Regents meeting. President Lorbetske will attend the event and meeting. The new UW System chancellor will also be present. 

9.

Recommendation and Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Technical College Funding

Board Member Martini, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Technical College Funding, suggested that discussion on this item be deferred until after the upcoming District Boards Association strategic planning meeting. Board members Marshall and Martini will attend the strategic planning meeting.

10.

Tuition Remission for 2008–09

The following information on remission of out-of-state tuition for the 2008–09 academic year was prepared by Director of Admissions Susan Kordula:

• For the academic year 2008–09, the college did not remit any postsecondary credits for our students. There were no students who requested a remission.


• There was no fiscal impact on the college for the 2008–09 school year.

This report will be submitted to the Administrative Services Coordinator at the Wisconsin Technical College System Office.

11.

Update on Proposed Birchwoods Center Addition

President Lorbetske noted that the board received preliminary information on this item last month. President Lorbetske then reviewed the priorities which were agreed upon by the board in discussions prior to the February 2006 referendum. Those priorities were:

• providing more space for instruction in health care programs


• providing more space for other instructional programs, including flexible lab training space


• providing more student space


• providing more community space

President Lorbetske said that the Art-Tech Center remodeling and Tamarack Center construction/remodeling helped to address:

• the need for expanded health care training space


• the need for flexible lab training space


• the need to address current fire code deficiencies, accessibility deficiencies, HVAC problems, etc.


• the need for additional and improved classroom space

Vice President Jim Brown reviewed a drawing of the proposed Birchwoods Center addition and renovation.

At the September meeting, the board will be asked to approve submission of the Birchwoods Center proposal to the State Board.

President Lorbetske invited board members to tour the Birchwoods Center at 4:30 p.m. on September 16th, prior to the board meeting.

12.

Presidential Search

Board Member Martini, Presidential Search Committee Chair, reported receiving a number of comments from staff and community members regarding the presidential profile draft. Discussion followed on the language regarding minimum qualifications. Board members agreed to list all qualifications as "ideal." There was also discussion about a suggestion to have two committees, an internal committee and an external committee. Board members agreed there would be only one committee, acting in an advisory capacity.

Board members will meet in closed session with legal counsel at an upcoming meeting to ensure that all appropriate guidelines are followed throughout the search and selection process.

Board Member Martini will present an update to staff at In-service on August 22nd.

13.

Other Information Items of the President, the Vice Presidents, and Board Members

• President Lorbetske reported on Secretary of Workforce Development Roberta Gassman's visit to Nicolet on August 14th.


• Board members attending the October District Boards Association meeting should contact Maggie.


• The September board meeting is confirmed for September 16th beginning at 5 p.m.


• The October board meeting is confirmed for October 21st. Board Member Reach will not be available.


• There will not be a November board meeting.


• Congressman Dave Obey will hold a staff and student open forum on campus on September 2nd.