NMU Board Approves Room/Board Rates, New Programs

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has approved room and board rates for the 2026-2027 academic year, along with seven new degree programs that will go into effect this fall.

The cost of a standard double room with the base required meal plan and comprehensive fee will be $6,684 per semester, an increase of $249. The full rate schedule for all housing options will be available at nmu.edu/housing/rates. Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Gavin Leach said residence halls and campus apartments are projected to remain near full capacity.

"Some of the factors driving up housing and dining costs include rising utility rates, an anticipated 4% increase in food prices, and our practice of annual upgrades and maintenance," Leach explained. "This rate structure will allow us to remain among the highest-quality housing facilities and related services in the Midwest, and continue to offer excellent meal plans with flexible options to our students."

The board approved the following new degree programs: accelerated master of science in sustainability; bachelor of science in rehabilitation science; bachelor of science in applied exercise physiology and kinesiology; associate of applied science in cannabis agriculture and plant-based wellness operations; associate of applied science in cannabis agriculture and operations; associate of applied science in mechanical technology; and associate of applied science in integrated career and technical sciences.

In other action at today's meeting, the board:

- Agreed to continue general fund, auxiliary operations, housing and residence life, general fund and designated fund budgets at the same level as 2025-2026, until state appropriations are determined and new budgets are approved. The only exception to each will be increases required by existing or newly negotiated union contracts.

-Approved the resolution of the Public Media Bridge Fund Grant Agreement between Northern Michigan University WNMU-TV and Public Media Company, in the amount of $576,532, to sustain critical local public media services during the transition period following the elimination of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding.

-Authorized changing the name of Career Services to "Career Services and High-Impact Learning," effective immediately.

-Approved a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the NMU Board of Trustees and the NMU Foundation Board, which replaces the Dec. 15, 2023 MOU, along with the appointment of Nicole Blemberg as chief advancement officer for NMU and executive director of the NMU Foundation.

-Approved these additional appointments: Aaron Chesler, assistant professor in the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department; Meredith Suhr, assistant professor in the Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences Department; and Susy Ziegler, dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

-Granted tenure and promotion recommendations for faculty, effective June 30. The following will be promoted to the rank of professor: Yan Ciupak, Sociology; Taimus Cleary, Art and Design; Ann Crandell-Williams, Social Work; Randy Klitzke, Technology and Occupational Sciences; Weronika Kusek, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences; Jim Marquardson, Business; Monica McFawn, English; Gabrielle McNally, Art and Design; Patrick "Rick" Mengyan, Physics; Seth Norberg, Engineering and Technology; David Pierce, Theatre and Dance; Joshua Sharp, Biology; Joshua Thompson, Mathematics and Computer Science; and Anna Zimmer, Languages, Literature and International Studies.

-Promoted the following to the rank of associate professor: Jaeseung Baek, Business; Robin Bond, Chemistry; Casey Hopper, Nursing; Kaycee Jacobson, Nursing; Kathryn Johnson, History; Lynne Lambdin, Lydia Olson Library; Murong Miao, Business; and Forrest Togel, Psychological Sciences.

-Agreed to grant tenure to and promote the following faculty to associate professor: Majid Asadi, College of Business; Theresa Camilli, Music; Steven Edelson, Business; Laura Kennedy, Education; Amber LaCrosse, Psychological Sciences; Adam Naito, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences; Heejung Park, Business; Evan Pratt, Chemistry; Ryan Stock, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences; and Katie Taylor, Nursing.

-Approved tenure for the following: Lin Fang, Psychological Sciences; Ryan Hines, Health and Human Performance; Lukas Klawitter, Health and Human Performance; Vikash Kumar, Social Work; Danny LeBert, Biology; Seth Norberg, Engineering Technology; Emily Romeo, History; and Kel Sassi, English.

-Granted Marcus Robyns the status of University Archivist Emeritus, effective immediately.

-Approved the academic calendars for 2028-2029, 2029-2030 and 2030-2031.

-Confirmed the upcoming academic year's Technology, Learning, and Communication (TLC) notebook program's annual purchase of Lenovo ThinkPad T14, Gen6 (to include warranty, engineering services, software imaging, and shipping costs). Apple MacBook Pro units will also be ordered.

-Approved 2005 alumna Sabina Carlson's donation of a speech-generating device and two mounts to the School of Clinical Sciences for the Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. The donation is valued at nearly $16,000.

-Authorized a continued rental agreement between NMU and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget for two suites in the Northern Center for the Department of Attorney General from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.

-Agreed to issue a contract addendum to expand JKL Bahweting Public School Academy from K-8 to K-12, starting in fall 2027.

-Agreed to reauthorize (renew) both Burton Glen Public School Academy and Walton Public School Academy for a five-year term beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2031.

-Approved the appointments of Carol Magness to the Burton Glen Public School Academy board and Kelly Podrasky to the Walton Public School Academy Board. Both terms expire June 30, 2029.