By Nicole Walton
Marquette, MI – The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees approved several capital projects at its meeting on Friday.
A plan to modernize Jamrich Hall is included in NMU's Fiscal Year 2012 Capital Outlay Request. If the bill is signed by the governor, the state would pay for most of the $33.9 million price tag. Northern would chip in $8.5 million through deferred maintenance reserves, capital equipment replacement reserves, and a bond issue.
The board authorized NMU to proceed with the design phase of a cogeneration plant. If approved, the new plant would burn wood chips and other biomass and use natural gas as a backup. A steam turbine generator would contribute to the university's electrical supply.
Trustees also approved the school's five-year facilities master plan and a 4 percent raise for President Les Wong, whose base salary is $194,225. It's the second-lowest among the state's public university presidents.