ADVISORY COUNCIL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES
Minutes of Meeting
December 12, 2001
Marshall University Graduate College
South Charleston, West Virginia
The Advisory Council of Classified Employees met at 10:25 am, Wednesday, December 12, 2001 in Room 213 of the Robert C. Byrd Academic and Technology Center, Marshall University Graduate College, South Charleston, WV.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
| Concord College | Amy Pitzer |
| Fairmont State College | Sandra Shriver |
| Marshall University | Stephanie A. Neal |
| MU Graduate College | Joseph R. Taylor |
| Shepherd College | Racquel Yerbury |
| West Virginia University | Paul R. Martinelli (proxy) |
| WV Network for Educational Telecomputing | Harper Grimm |
| WV Northern Community College | Robert A. "Zac" Wycherley |
| WV School of Osteopathic Medicine | Valeria Barfield |
| WV State College | A. Jenny Fertig |
MEMBERS ABSENT
| Bluefield State College | Ron Holt |
| Eastern WV Community & Tech College | Lisa A. Reel |
| Glenville State College | Linda Carney |
| Higher Education Policy Commission Office | Betsy Crouch |
| Potomac State College | Vacant |
| Southern WV Community & Tech College | John C. (Chris) Gray |
| West Liberty State College | Patty Hendershot |
| WVU -- Institute of Technology | Sandy Crist |
| WVU -- Parkersburg | Violet G. Mosser |
| WVU R. C. Byrd Health Science Charleston Div. | Vacant |
GUESTS:
Margaret Buttrick, WV HEPC Chancellors Liaison.
The Chair, Ms. Pitzer, called the meeting to order.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the November 15, 2001 meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Mr. Taylor and seconded by Mr. Grimm that the minutes be approved with the two following amendments: 1) Special Recognition of Ms. Vingle -change years of service from 15 to 12 and 2) Liaison Report - Concerning sick leave for non-classified employees, Ms. Buttrick indicated that each institution uses its own discretion in determining the amount of sick leave for non-classified employees. The motion was approved.
Legislative Agenda: The legislative agenda needs to be finalized as soon as possible so work can begin on the preparation of a brochure for distribution at the beginning of the legislative session. Ideas for the brochure should be sent via the ACCE list-serve as soon as possible. The brochure will be distributed to members of the Legislature and all ACCE members will be given extra copies. The goal is to have the brochure available for the January 17, 2002 ACCE meeting.
Grievance Procedures: Ms. Pitzer, Mr. Wycherley and Mr. Grimm will continue to work on the grievance document for submission to Senator Unger.
Proposed 3% Budget Reduction: The Governor has requested that each higher education institution submit a report on the potential impact of a 3% budget reduction beginning with the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Each ACCE member was requested to submit his or her individual campus plan if available for review. Most plans included no raises for faculty and staff, above average tuition increases and the elimination of programs and/or services.
Liaison Report: The Chancellors Liaison, Margaret Buttrick, indicated that a document summarizing October 1, 2001 salary increases for higher education employees is currently being compiled by the central office and when finalized, will be presented to the WV Higher Education Policy Commission. It is anticipated that the document may be presented at the WVHEPC meeting later today.
Ms. Pitzer had requested data for use in preparing the ACCEs annual report to the WVHEPC. Ms. Buttrick indicated she is diligently working on compiling the information and may email it to the ACCE over the upcoming holiday break if possible.
Concerning legislative issues, Ms. Buttrick reported: 1) the legislative committee studying a 40-hour work week is focusing only on the private sector and 2) Finance Subcommittee A is discussing the conversion of sick leave upon retirement and problems associated with this.
The Chancellor has appointed a 2002 Legislative Enhancement and Personnel Committee, which will meet for the first time on Thursday, December 13, 2001. Ms. Pitzer, Ms. Fertig and Ms. Neal will represent classified employees on the committee. Thursdays meeting will focus on issues relating to state code. Revisions to Series 8 will be considered at a later date.
The JEC meetings scheduled for November and December 2001 were cancelled. It is anticipated that a January 2002 meeting will be scheduled to continue the review of the Physical Plant job family.
New Business: Mr. Martinelli has researched the definition of the workweek. A 37.5-hour workweek went into effect July 1, 1985. Ms. Buttrick indicated this is documented in an old Classified Employees Handbook and that she does not foresee higher education going to a 40-hour workweek any way soon.
Mr. Martinelli indicated he has contacted the Governors office about a potential meeting with the Governor in January or February 2002 to coincide with scheduled ACCE and WVHEPC meetings if possible. Mr. Martinelli will notify ACCE members via the list-serve when a date for the meeting is finalized. Ms. Pitzer asked that Mr. Martinelli request a meeting with Delegates Mezzatesta and Doyle and representatives from the Senate Finance Committee.
Mr. Grimm suggested that if handouts are available at the WVHEPC meetings that they are made available to all ACCE members. Ms. Neal will obtain copies of handouts either at the WVHEPC meetings or from Ms. Buttrick and then mail the handouts to ACCE members.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:39 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHANIE A. NEAL
SECRETARY
AMY PITZER
CHAIR