Minutes of the Meeting of the
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
December 11, 1997
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 11:36 a.m. by Chair Robert Boey. Recording Secretary Sharon Mimms conducted a roll call of Trustees. Present for the meeting were Trustees Susan Grans, George Moser, David Raymond, Student Trustee Steven Kovacs and Chair Boey. Not present were Trustees James Myles, Manuel Sanchez, and Myron Siegel. Also present were President John La Tourette and Parliamentarian Kenneth Davidson. Having noted the presence of a quorum, the meeting proceeded.
VERIFICATION OF APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Confirmation of Open Meetings Act notification compliance was given by Board Parliamentarian Ken Davidson.
Chair Boey asked for a motion to close the public meeting to conduct an Executive Session to discuss the following subjects authorized by the Illinois Open Meetings Act: collective bargaining matters as generally described under §2(c)(2) of the Open Meetings Act, personnel matters as generally described under §2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act, property matters as generally described under §2(c)(5) and §2(c)(6) of the Open Meetings Act, and Executive Session Minutes matters as generally described under §2(c)(21) of the Open Meetings Act. Trustee Raymond so moved, seconded by Trustee Moser. A roll call vote of the Trustees to recess to Executive Session was unanimous.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING RECONVENED
The public meeting of the Board of Trustees was reconvened by Chair Boey at 1:54 p.m. Chair Boey requested a roll call of Trustees. Present were Trustees Susan Grans, George Moser, James Myles, David Raymond, Manuel Sanchez, Student Trustee Steven Kovacs and Chair Boey. Not present was Trustee Myron Siegel.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee Susan Grans announced that an award had been received by the Northern Illinois University Rockford Education Center this Fall. The Center was recognized by NIBCA (the Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association) and the American Institute of Architects through the general contractor, Ringland-Johnson Construction of Rockford, of which Brent Johnson is President. Trustee Grans said the Center was recognized for its quality construction, architectural appeal and overall aesthetic and functional aspects and was the only educational center recognized. This is an award that is given once every three years, Trustee Grans said, so this is a very significant award and it bodes well for two reasons. Number one, she said, it is a very attractive and functional building; and number two, it says a lot for the direction of Greg Petty, the Education Center director there, and the wonderful staff that deliver top grade customer service through conferences, seminars and the classes held there. Trustee Grans then presented the award to Chair Boey. Chair Boey accepted the award on behalf of the Board of Trustees, President John La Tourette and the university. The award will be displayed at the Rockford Education Center.
Chair Boey invited Vice President Jim Harder to the podium while he read a declaration in his honor. The declaration read as follows:
DECLARATION
WHEREAS, James E. Harder began serving Northern Illinois University on July 15, 1963 and has since faithfully served the university through many assignments, most recently as Vice President for Business Services; and
WHEREAS, James E. Harder has capably and steadfastly executed the duties and responsibilities assigned to his offices; and WHEREAS, James E. Harder has demonstrated dedication and loyalty to Northern Illinois University, its faculty, staff and students; and
WHEREAS, James E. Harder has made a particularly notable contribution by his conscientious service to the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees and the community of Northern Illinois University owe James E. Harder a debt of gratitude and wish to express their sincere appreciation for the many contributions of James E. Harder to all the above-mentioned interests of this Board and university,
NOW BE IT DECLARED that the university and the Board of Trustees extend their grateful appreciation to James E. Harder for his outstanding and loyal service and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Dated this 11th day of December, 1997 at DeKalb, Illinois.
____________________
Robert T. Boey, Chair,
Board of Trustees
Northern Illinois University
Accepting the declaration, Mr. Harder said he had been at the university 34½ years and seen a lot of changes and believed most were for the good. I just want to thank this Board and the boards that preceded it, Mr. Harder said, for giving me the opportunity to work here at Northern. Dr. La Tourette invited the Board and others present to join with him and his colleagues in extending congratulations and best wishes for the future to Jim and his wife, Jackie, at a retirement reception being held on Tuesday, December 16, in the Sky Room. Dr. La Tourette said that he and Mr. Harder had been very close over the years and said Jim had been a person who was loyal to the administration and its mission, and had carried out all of his responsibilities in an exemplary fashion. Though I wish him well, La Tourette said, at the same time there is going to be a tremendous void created at the university for his steadfastness, his good advice and counsel. He is a person who was always positive about the university and helping in everything that made the university better. The President thanked Mr. Harder and extended his congratulations, appreciation and best wishes to him. Chair Boey said that although he had not known him as long, he wished to add similar comments to Mr. Harder and his wife and extended his best wishes to them.
MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL
President La Tourette made two corrections to the agenda. Agenda Item 8.a.(1), Stevenson Towers Renovation – Phase I, should be marked "Action" instead of "Information" on page 10, and a new report, Agenda Item 8.d., 1998 Meeting Dates, was added as an "Action" item. Trustee Sanchez moved for approval of the Agenda as amended. Trustee Grans seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Trustee Raymond and seconded by Trustee Sanchez to approve the minutes of the September 25, 1997 meeting. The motion was approved.
REPORTS OF BOARD COMMITTEES AND BOARD LIAISONS
Executive Committee
There was no report from the Executive Committee.
Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee
Committee Chair Grans said that the Committee met on Friday, October 17. Reports heard in that meeting included the FY97 External Funding for Research, Public Service and Instructional Projects, the 1997 Underrepresented Groups Report, the 1997 Productivity Report and an update on retirement issues. We also had a very enlightening report on the success of NIU graduates, Trustee Grans said, where we learned the value of the degree from NIU and the high amount of success that the graduates have had in their careers due to their education.
Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee
Committee Chair Raymond stated that the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee met on Monday, November 17. The Committee heard two informational items, the Periodic Status Report on Capital Projects in Excess of $250,000 and a detailed presentation and report on university investments. A request for an increase of $1.625 million in expenditures for Phase I of the Stevenson Towers renovation was presented for action by the Committee. This would make it possible to take up enhancements in the Stevenson Towers renovation plans, due to the receipt of favorable bids by the university on its initial bid request, the cancellation of the Recycling Center, and the savings realized in operating expenses because part of Stevenson Towers is out of service this year. So, as a result of those savings, the Committee was able to endorse and recommend the additional funds and expenditures to add enhancements to the original plans for renovation of Stevenson Towers for Board approval. The second action item was a revised plan for graduated tuition fees for 1999. The schedule for an increase in tuitions was revised to more evenly distribute the impact of the tuition increase across all students and eliminate the disproportionate impact presented in the original plan for those students with six credit hours or less. This recommendation was a result of a lot of input that the President and a lot of others on the staff received after the initial action by the Board at its last meeting on the new tuition plan. The Finance Committee recommended this revised tuition plan to the full Board for approval.
Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee
Chair Moser reported that the Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee convened on Tuesday, November 25, at the Northern Illinois University Hoffman Estates Education Center. Hoffman Estates Mayor Michael O'Malley and State Representative Terry Parke briefly addressed the Committee. As the Board knows, the Governor signed Senate Bill 770 late this summer. Trustee Moser stated that this bill provides the university with the authority to be more creative and entrepreneurial in the development of designated areas of land owned by the university, most notably, the areas known as the "North 40" and the 200 acres of undeveloped land contiguous to the west campus, which the university recently purchased. Through this legislation, the Board of Trustees will have the flexibility to meet the changing needs of future NIU students for the next 25 to 35 years. Public-private partnerships were encouraged as a way to meet ongoing and future capital needs at NIU in an era of limited State resources. Trustee Moser said the Board passed a resolution at its June meeting requesting the administration to develop recommendations for implementing the legislation, which takes effect January 1, 1998. The resolution unanimously passed by the Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee was included in the meeting packet. It calls for an oversight team comprised of the Chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee, the Chair of the Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee, and the Board Chair to review all the developments proposed, and assist the university administration and the development of intermediate and long-term development plans for the land within the zone. The resolution indicates that any project must be approved by the Finance and Facilities Committee as well as the full Board of Trustees. Trustee Moser commended President La Tourette, Vice President Eddie Williams and Kathy Swanson for their work in drafting such a comprehensive response to the Board's June 1997 meeting. Northern Illinois University is the only university in the state with these public-private partnership opportunities. It also has a strong board administration and implementation plan for the development zone. Trustee Moser thanked Governor Edgar for his support of this Board and thanked the university for its efforts to ensure our ability to meet our students' needs in the future.
Finally, the Committee discussed the Governor's call for a special session on December 2 and the potential for Altgeld Hall renovation funds as a result of this special session. Trustee Moser reported that the House passed the supplemental funding legislation containing $19 million in funding. More importantly, he said, the bill was actually signed by Governor Edgar on Monday for the funding of Altgeld Hall. The university has been seeking renovation funds for Altgeld Hall, an historical focal point of the campus, for almost ten years, Trustee Moser said, and I am delighted with the legislature's and the Governor's action in support of this much-needed project. A detailed legislative report on Veto Session was reported and discussed, including some potentially problematic issues such as the implementation of the HOPE Scholarship and Lifetime Learning federal tax credits and state procurement legislation. This creates a completely new purchasing process for all state agencies and public universities.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
President La Tourette reported that the last meeting of the Board of Higher Education was held on Thursday, November 11, and attended by Provost Moody. Dr. La Tourette commented on that meeting, as it applied to NIU. Very good compliments were received from the staff of the Board of Higher Education relative to the ongoing work of the Provost's Office, and particularly Lynne Waldeland, who has literally moved mountains, the President said, to explain and convince the IBHE staff of the strength of our Ph.D. programs in general, and of their role as new models for doctoral program application orientations. Without Dr. Waldeland, he said, I do not think we would have faired very well in these reviews. They are models to be emulated by other institutions in the future. They not only give students a very strong theoretical education, but also expose them to the kind of technology and clinical type practicum experiences essential for good job placement. Dr. Waldeland has seen the university through many years of dealing with IBHE questions about our doctoral programs, responding over and over again, Dr. La Tourette said, and now, I think they recognize the quality of our programs. President La Tourette thanked Dr. Waldeland and the entire Provost's staff for that long-term effort, which has now resulted in some real recognition of what is being done with doctoral programs at Northern Illinois University.
Dr. La Tourette said that Dr. Keith Sanders had been appointed as the Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and will assume his responsibilities on January 1, 1998. The current, executive director, Dr. Richard Wagner, will be phasing out during the January-February period. Some years ago, Keith Sanders was a member of the faculty and a dean at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. More recently, he has been the Chancellor of the Stevens Point campus in the Wisconsin system and has worked in the president's office at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He brings to this position an extensive amount of on-campus experience in both Illinois and Wisconsin, Dr. La Tourette said, and I believe he will take a university perspective in his role as executive director. Dr. Sanders has a communications background and is highly regarded by NIU faculty in Communication Studies not only as a scholar, but also as a practitioner. Also important for this position, President La Tourette said, is the fact that Keith Sanders has had experience in both states working with Washington's Capitol Hill. He was selected in 1989 by Illinois higher education leadership to lead the effort to make permanent the temporary tax increase, or surcharge, for all of education, both public and higher education. Dr. Kustra, as Chair of the Board of Higher Education, took a great interest in this search. And after making the appointment, he indicated it was ideal because Dr. Sanders had a broad base of experience, both in terms of the legislative process and working on university campuses. In view of the fact that very few executive directors of higher education boards around the nation have had much experience on a campus, Dr. La Tourette said that Illinois was lucky to have someone with solid campus experience.
University Civil Service Merit Board
There was no report from the University Civil Service Merit Board.
Northern Illinois University Foundation
Mr. Mike Malone, Interim Vice President, Development and University Relations reported that the Foundation experienced a 32% increase in total giving for the year, ending the fiscal year at $5.32 million. The Foundation Endowment grew by 20% last year and topped $10 million, up from a total of $3.3 million three years ago. There has been a very concentrated effort not only to raise more dollars, Mr. Malone said, but to raise more dollars in the Endowment itself. In the first quarter of the fiscal year, more than one million new dollars was added to the Endowment. Mr. Malone said that an in-house telemarketing campaign that is the heart and soul of our annual giving program for alumni and parents has been implemented. It is anticipated that they will be contacting 75,000-plus NIU alumni and parents this year, which compares with 25,000 calls made in a given year over the last three years, when the service was outsourced. Mr. Malone said that the most important thing, from my point of view, was that it will be NIU students making the calls, which will mean a very positive communication, regardless of the ability or willingness of the person in question to make a gift. Early results are very encouraging, he said, and it is expected that the amount of annual contributions this year will significantly increase over those received last year through telemarketing.
The search for a Chief Development Officer and Associate Vice President is underway. Candidates are expected to be on campus in January. This is a critical, very difficult hire and in this very tight market, he said, and we are taking our time and trying to be very careful with it. Dr. Anne Kaplan is heading up that search committee, which includes Foundation Board members.
The development office conducted a planned giving seminar and workshop for retirees and is expanding the type of planned giving vehicles offered. An agreement has been signed that will provide a charitable remainder trust, which is the first such agreement ever signed in NIU's history. It would allow an individual to gift a large sum of money to the university, but continue to receive income from that asset until that individual's death. That is now a very common form of planned giving and a growing market. The transfer of generational assets in the next 15 years in the United States is going to be immense and it is a way that more and more people are thinking about leaving a lasting gift to a charity of their choice.
The NIU Foundation Gala attracted the largest crowd in its history. More than 280 supporters of NIU gathered in September. They were joined for the first time by more than 40 students who attend NIU on scholarship. Mr. Malone said they wanted to have the recipients of the donors' gifts and the donors at the same table to meet one another. A follow-up survey of those who attended the gala reported unanimously that they liked having the scholarship award winners at the dinner and want to invite them back next year. So, that practice will continue.
Mr. Malone also said that a $250 per person benefit for the Theatre Department's Summer Night program was held, which drew a crowd of 120 to meet NIU alumna and two-time academy award nominee Joan Allen. The event was held in the ballroom of the former Illinois Athletic Association on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and raised money to sustain the Summer Night program, which allows NIU theater majors to have their first professional theatre experience in Chicago in an equity company over the summer and not have to drop out of school to do it. They can stay in school, acquire experience, come back to obtain a degree, and then go into the job market better prepared for the kind of job they need to sustain their art.
As I've said many times before, Chair Boey stated, with 39% of our budget being State-supported, this serious fund raising is no longer the domain of the Princetons and the Yales. The state universities have to do very serious fund raising, he said, and I cannot think of a better person to have our program in than the hands of Mike Malone.
HONORARY DEGREES
President La Tourette recommended to the Board the award of an honorary degree to two people who are related. This is kind of a first for Northern Illinois University, he said. The award would be the Doctor of Humane Letters to John P. Morgridge and to Tasha F. Morgridge, each in their own right. Mr. Morgridge's parents attended and graduated from NIU and were among the very early teachers sent out from what was Normal School in its early decades. John Morgridge has distinguished himself as the leader, President and CEO of Cisco Systems, and now as its chairman of the board. He is very much involved, not only in technology advancements, but in the use of technology for instruction. He is very heavily involved in trying to make a major difference in the education of people coming from an underprivileged background in a local California school district and is remarkably familiar with current research.
Tasha Morgridge is the author of a book about learning disabilities. She has been involved as a person championing the welfare and development of children, has been a teacher of children with learning disabilities and is currently the president of the Morgridge Family Foundation. Mrs. Morgridge has worked with a number of schools dealing with educationally disadvantaged students. Together, they were instrumental in the recent establishment of the new Morgridge Chair, which is now held by Dr. Donna Wiseman. President La Tourette asked for Board approval to award these two honorary degrees at the May commencement in 1998. The Board voted unanimously to award the Doctor of Humane Letters to both John P. Morgridge and Tasha F. Morgridge.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT NO. 11
Action Items Forwarded by the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee
Agenda Item 8.a.(1) – Stevenson Towers Renovation - Phase I
President La Tourette presened the recommendation being forwarded from the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee discussed earlier by Trustee Raymond. He stated that the plan has been revised and funding is available to initiate this plan for the renovation of the Stevenson Towers – Phase I. Dr. La Tourette asked Board of Trustees approval of a $1.625 million project budget increase, from $14,430,400 to $16,055,400, for Phase I of the Stevenson Towers renovation. Trustee Raymond so moved, seconded by Trustee Grans. The motion was approved.
Agenda Item 8.a.(2) – FY99 Tuition Recommendation
Dr. La Tourette explained the FY99 Undergraduate Tuition Rate chart on page 14 of the meeting materials. The new plan, he said, still carries out the objective of the original plan, which is to encourage students to take more hours to graduate in a shorter period of time, because we recognize that the cost of staying for the fifth year is very high. If a student can cut back from five years to four years in completing a degree or six years to five years, it is a tremendous benefit to the student. The university will be talking to and providing information, not only to students, but to parents and other people involved in assisting students financially to make them more aware of the costs that go beyond four years. At the same time, the new plan still generates the overall 3% increase expected from the IBHE.
President La Tourette also went over a comparison put together as a result of an article published in the Chicago Tribune on increases in tuition and fees at the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana. The comparison showed that the cost of tuition for 15 hours per semester at the University of Illinois is $3,408. With Board approval of this current recommendation, 15 hours of registration at NIU will bring that tuition cost to $3,000 per year. With projected room and board rates for NIU, the cost for a double room with 14 meals per week, would be $3,873, while at the UI, it is already at $4,962 a year. A projection of fees at a 4% increase came out at approximately the same level as the UI. Fees are difficult to compare because the mix of services that fees go to support are so different between the two campuses. Overall, a full package for students at NIU will be about 19.3% less than the UI next year. For specialized programs like nursing, tuition alone at the UI would be approximately 13.6%, and engineering would be approximately 33% higher than NIU. Room and board rates would be about 28% higher than at NIU. Northern Illinois University is doing a very good job of containing costs, not only in tuition charges, but also in room and board rates. I think this is a good message, President La Tourette said, and we have to communicate more to students about how they can avoid higher costs if they increase the number of credit hours completed each semester and reduce the time it takes to get a degree at Northern Illinois University. There were also adjustments shown for graduate and law school tuition that were discussed by the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee. NIU is in line and on the low side for the Law School and graduate tuition. Trustee Raymond asked that the recommendation on page 11 be changed from "The university requests Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee approval …" to "The university requests Board of Trustees approval .…" Chair Boey then asked for a motion to approve the FY99 tuition recommendation with the language correction. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Myles. The motion was approved.
Agenda Item 8.a.(3) – Report on Investments - Statement of Investment Policy
Reports on university investments and the statement of investment policy were presented to the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee chaired by Trustee Raymond. Dr. La Tourette called the Board's attention to the distribution of holdings held by the university as of June 30, 1997 and a pie chart on the following that page showing the current yields on those investments. These investments were thoroughly reviewed by the FFO Committee and presented to the Board as information on university procedures. Because investments have to be relatively conservative in order to meet the state statutes and other requirements imposed on the university as guardians of public funds, Dr. La Tourette said, yields range from 5% to 6%.
Agenda Item 8.a(4) – Periodic Status Report on Capital Projects in Excess of $250,000
This report provided the status of capital projects with budgets in excess of $250,000. All of the projects were previously approved by the Board of Trustees or the Board of Regents and are currently in process. These status reports are provided on all projects, regardless of initiation date, until all work has been completed and all payments made.
Agenda Item 8.b.(1) – NIU Land Utilization Policy Resolution - Land Development Process (SB770)
This item was discussed by Trustee Moser in his Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee report and was thoroughly covered at that meeting. The basic elements of this process and any potential use of the land subject to Senate Bill 770 were explained. Dr. La Tourette then asked for Board Approval of the NIU Land Utilization Policy Resolution. Trustee Grans so moved, seconded by Trustee Raymond. The motion was approved.
Agenda Item 8.b.(2) – Intergovernmental Payroll Agreement
This is an intergovernmental agreement with the State Comptroller's Office, which will allow the university to issue payroll checks from the university, rather than having to send the entire payroll every month, on a very narrow turnaround, to be executed in Springfield. At the present time, most employees receive two W-2 forms because some payments are made from state general revenue funds and some payments come from the university income fund. This agreement will allow the consolidation of those two operations, which will allow more efficient payroll processing. Many times, people are employed for six weeks or more before receiving a paycheck. This agreement would allow new employees to be put on the payroll closer to the date they are hired. Dr. La Tourette thanked Steve Cunningham and Ken Mundy for their efforts in reaching this agreement. He then recommended the Board approval of the intergovernmental Payroll agreement. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Grans. The motion was approved.
Agenda Item 8.c. – Summary of Grant and Contract Awards
University grants and contracts totaled just under $10 million. President La Tourette said he expects the receipt of grants and contracts for this fiscal year to be at last year's level, around $20 million, and perhaps exceed that amount. He reiterated the comment made by Chair Boey earlier that not only do we have to raise money privately, but we have to be more aggressive in seeking grants and contracts to support university instruction, research and public service programs.
Agenda Item 8.d. – Potential 1998 Meeting Dates for the Board of Trustees
Dr. La Tourette said that there did not appear to be a substantial amount of business for January in the first quarter, so he recommended the first meeting be held on February 19. The four other meeting dates recommended were April 23, June 18, September 17 and December 10. All the proposed meeting dates fall on a Thursday. Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the recommended Board of Trustees meeting dates for 1998. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Grans. The motion was approved.
Trustee Grans said that grants and contracts are an important aspect of the university with a wide variety of businesses and industries that providing services to the university. They are a big part of the education and the educational opportunities that are the heart and soul of the university, and some of the value a degree has comes from the contacts that are made. As a group, she said, the Trustees endorse the university's aggressive campaign to obtain these grants and contracts.
Before he began the Chair's Report, Chair Boey recognized University Advisory Committee representatives Charlie Larson, Sue Ouelette, Jim Lockard, Andy Small, Gordon Shneider and Jim Russell and thanked them for joining the meeting.
CHAIR'S REPORT Agenda Item 9.a. – Amendment to Board Regulations II.D.12. and III.C.14. (Tuition Waiver Programs for Employee Children)
Chair Boey said that this amendment pertains to Public Act 90-282, which establishes a 50% interinstitutional tuition waiver benefit for children of university employees with seven or more years of service. Chair Raymond noted that the reference to Public Act 90-282 had been omitted in the first sentence in the second paragraph of Section III.C.14, Civil Service Employees, on page 48. Chair Boey entertained a motion to approve the tuition waiver amendment as corrected. Trustee Myles so moved, seconded by Trustee Moser. The motion was approved.
Agenda Item 9.b. – Amendment to Board Regulations II.D.6. and III.C.2. (Accumulative Sick Leave)
Board Regulations II.D.6. and III.C.2, accumulative sick leave, were amended due to changes in Public Act 90-65, which eliminates the payment of unused compensable sick leave days at half their value upon termination for service after December 31, 1997. The unused accumulative sick leave days may be used for additional service credit in the State Universities Retirement System. There being no discussion, Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the amendment to Sections II.D.6. and III.C.2. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Raymond. The motion was approved.
Agenda Item 9.c. – Executive Session Minutes Release
Appropriate portions of Board of Trustees Executive Session Minutes were released from the December 11, 1996, January 23, 1997 and September 25, 1997 meetings. Chair Boey called for a motion to approve the release of these executive session minutes. Trustee Myles so moved, seconded by Trustee Sanchez. The motion was approved.
OTHER MATTERS
Approval of Negotiated Salary Reopener for the University
Professionals of Illinois NIU Instructors Unit, Local #4100
Representatives of the Board of Trustees and the University Professionals of Illinois, NIU Instructors Unit, Local #4100, negotiated for a salary reopener settlement for temporary instructors. Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the negotiated tentative agreement, subject to ratification by the unit. Trustee Moser so moved, seconded by Trustee Sanchez. The motion was approved.
Property Acquisition
Discussion was held on the following resolution to authorize acquisition of 32 acres in furtherance of the Board's intention to develop the West Campus.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of Illinois has enacted Public Act 89-4 authorizing, through Article 30 thereof, the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University to acquire such real property as it shall deem appropriate by purchase, eminent domain or otherwise; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University has considered the existing facilities and the extensions necessary to be made in order that he same may adequately serve the current and/or future needs of Northern Illinois University; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University hereby authorizes the President of Northern Illinois University to communicate and negotiate terms and conditions for acquiring certain real property at a price not to exceed the fair market value of such property based on reference to current real estate tax assessment values or reports of appropriate independent appraisers retained to determine fair market value, along with any related escrow agreements; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University hereby authorizes the President of Northern Illinois University or designee to accept as a gift on behalf of the Board any part of such real property, or of any of its value that may exceed the amount to actually be paid for such property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University that it is necessary and for the best interests of Northern Illinois University that a parcel of real property ("Rosenow-Franzene property"), consisting of approximately 32 acres more or less (summarized legal description reflected in Attachment A below and incorporated herein by reference), lying west of the campus in DeKalb, Illinois, and north of State Highway 38, be acquired for educational purposes of Northern Illinois University at a purchase price not to exceed Four Hundred Fourteen Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($414,700), exclusive of interest costs not to exceed 6% on the unpaid balance, acquisition and closing expenses pursuant to a contract with terms and conditions suitable to the University President and the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University with advice of legal counsel.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that appropriate officers of the Board are authorized and directed to execute such documents as are necessary to accomplish this acquisition.
Attachment A
Property Owner: Thomas Rosenow and David M. Franzene
Related Permanent Real Estate Index Numbers: 08-20-200-014, 08-20-200-015
Legal Description: To be more specifically described pursuant to a land survey to be provided to Board of Trustees representatives prior to closing: Two parcels totaling 32 acres more or less lying North of State Highway 38 in the East ½ of the Northeast ¼ of Section 20, all in Township 40 North, Range 4, East of the Third Principal Meridian, all situated in DeKalb Township, DeKalb County, Illinois.
President La Tourette told the Board that he was approached by the owner of this property proposing a sale to the university at a very good price. This is a critical piece of land because it fills in the area adjacent to Lincoln High (State Highway 38) and would give the university frontage that will be essential for the long-term development of the university. Dr. La Tourette said that the purchase of this final parcel of approximately 32 acres of land would contribute to the West Campus development. He then asked the Board to approve this action. There being no discussion, Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the proposed land acquisition. Trustee Grans so moved, seconded by Trustee Moser. The motion was approved. Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Sycamore for Lease of Real Property
Another property matter considered by the Board in Executive Session was an agreement with the City of Sycamore for a multi-year lease, with appropriate options, of 11.19 acres (more or less) of the approximately 34.65 acres in the Northern Illinois University Sycamore site (formerly the College of Engineering) at a reasonable rate to be approved by the University President with appropriate safeguards for the Board of Trustees and the State of Illinois. Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the lease. Trustee Raymond so moved, seconded by Trustee Sanchez. The motion was approved.
Trustee Sanchez said that he wanted to compliment Mr. Cunningham and the efforts on both sides to resolve the labor negotiations with Instructors. Given the kind of publicity that was generated then, he said he was very pleased to learn, as a Trustee, that the contract had been resolved. The second item Trustee Sanchez brought up for future consideration was, given all the attention publicized about a new arena, he thought the Board of Trustees should begin to take up that subject officially. Trustee Myles also congratulated Steve Cunningham for bringing the negotiations from a near impasse to an amicable settlement between NIU and the Instructors. Chair Boey also thanked Steve Cunningham and said he spoke for the Board of Trustees in saying that it was important not just to the Board of Trustees but to the overall university campus and its environment that he and the instructors were able to amicably settle and come to an agreement.
Trustee Raymond said that he wanted to add his congratulations to the President and staff and Kathy Swanson and others who were instrumental in getting the legislature to finally approve the capital appropriations for the renovation of Altgeld Hall.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 1998.
Chair Boey wished everyone happy holidays and asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Myles. The motion was approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Mimms
Recording Secretary
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