Advisory Council of Classified Employees

Meeting Minutes

January 23, 2001

Marshall University Graduate College

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS ABSENT

GUESTS:

JoAnn Backus, WVU@P Staff Council Chair

MINUTES

It was moved, seconded and passed to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2000, meeting as written.

Mr. Martinelli distributed copies of the 2001 Legislative Calendar (attached) and information about the candidates for the position of Chancellor.

Ms. Pitzer passed around a copy of the agenda for the Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) meeting on January 24, 2001, as an information item.

REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF ENHANCEMENT LEGISLATION DRAFT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Ms. Pitzer distributed copies of the documents received from Chancellor's Liaison Margaret Buttrick the previous week. There was discussion of the following items of concern to Classified Staff. A copy of the Executive Summary is attached as a reference to the items discussed below. Ms. Pitzer will communicate our concerns to the Legislative leadership.

Governance

#2 Information is not included about the specific rules to which this applies. Ms. Pitzer will send the list of the ACCE's position on code items developed earlier in the term.

#8 This is something the ACCE desires. There was discussion about whether each independently accredited community/technical college should have an individual representative to the ACCE. The decision was that they should.

#12 It is unclear what this means in relation to term limits for the ACCE, particularly in light of the possibility of a campus having two separate representatives to their Institutional Board of Governors (IBG) and the ACCE. The ACCE's position continues to be removal of all term limits.

Personnel

#1 This is a crucial issue. The ACCE's position continues to be to keep whatever salary schedule is adopted in code. It is not clear what type of salary schedule the HEPC might adopt and what the time line would be for implementation. Guidelines for salary minimums are not specified.

#2 The ACCE's position is to keep the Grievance Procedure higher education is currently using. However, the grievance procedure is not part of SB 653, and therefore not part of enhancement legislation.

#4 The WVU Staff Council has taken a strong position against removal of this requirement and will take their own stand with Legislators, even if it differs from the ACCE's. There is concern that comparison with peer salaries could be risky with respect to the salary schedule. The ACCE Executive Committee will arrange a conference call with the WVU Staff Council Chair to discuss this further.

#5 The ACCE's position is that all Classified Staff salaries should be at market level before merit is considered. Other questions concerned guidelines and input from staff at the campus level. Hard feelings and related morale problems are concerns. Classified staff should have input into writing of merit policies.

#7 The ACCE's position is that current employees should be "grandfathered" into their current retirement plan if any changes are made. This summary item is felt to be very vague.

All ACCE members were charged with reviewing the entire Enhancement Legislation document to see what items might be clarified in the text and what other issues might emerge, and share input the following week.

There was a general discussion about the importance of all campuses being in agreement on Classified Staff issues and ACCE positions.

LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION BROCHURE 2001

In an intense work session the current draft of the brochure, created by Mr. Martinelli, was reviewed and all members' suggestions incorporated. Ms. Broudy will complete the editing based on the discussion. Ms. Fertig will arrange printing.

GREETINGS

Ms. Pitzer conveyed greetings from Bluefield State College Representative Ron Holt. He reports that his health is improved and some major responsibilities are keeping him on campus. He anticipates returning to ACCE meetings soon.

MARCH MEETING WITH SENATOR JACKSON

Staff Council Chairs can be invited to join our meeting with Senator Jackson on March 20, 2001, with the understanding that they not bring any personal or campus specific agendas. They must have approval from their presidents to attend, or use annual leave.

NEXT MEETING

The next ACCE meeting will be on Thursday, February 22, 2001, at MUGC. We will meet there at 9:30 AM then go to the Capitol.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved, seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting.

AMY PITZER
PRESIDENT

ELLEN BROUDY
RECORDER