ADVISORY COUNCIL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES

Minutes of Meeting

February 14, 2002

Marshall University Graduate College

South Charleston, West Virginia

The Advisory Council of Classified Employees met at 9:20 am, Thursday, February 14, 2002 in the Robert C. Byrd Academic and Technology Center, Marshall University Graduate College, South Charleston, WV.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

MEMBERS ABSENT

GUESTS:

Chancellor J. Michael Mullen and Margaret Buttrick, the Chancellors Liaison.

The Chair, Ms. Pitzer, called the meeting to order. Debi Cruse and Tammy Flanagan were introduced and welcomed as newly elected members of the ACCE representing Potomac State College and the WVU R. C. Byrd Health Science Charleston Division.

Higher Education Day and Legislative Matters: Ms. Pitzer opened the floor for comments concerning Higher Education Day, which was held February 5, 2002 at the WV State Capitol. Ms. Carney indicated the Chancellor had commented that it is anticipated that a pool of funds should be available for raises in the 2002-2003 fiscal year and that some employees may receive more than others and some institutions will be with fewer people.

Ms. Pitzer indicated Senator Lloyd Jackson is not seeking re-election for his position as Senator. In appreciation of his commitment to classified employees, she suggested and the advisory council agreed that a resolution from the ACCE thanking him for his support of classified employee issues is appropriate.

Mr. Martinelli indicated that it was unlikely that the ACCE would be able to secure a meeting with the Governor during the month of February. He will again contact the Governors office about a meeting with the Governor and the leadership of the House Education Committee and both the House and Senate Finance Committees.

Ms. Pitzer indicated SB115, if approved by the Legislature, would eliminate the twenty-year service cap on granting incremental salary increases to eligible state employees. Classified employees will not be covered under the bill as currently written. Ms. Fertig indicated that she spoke with Senators Jon Blair Hunter and Marie E. Redd concerning SB121 questioning the reasoning for capping educational incentives at the Associate Degree level. It was indicated that this might have been at the suggestion of some employees in Morgantown.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Mr. Martinelli and seconded by Ms. Fertig that the minutes of the January 17, 2002 ACCE meeting be accepted as presented. The motion was approved.

ACCE Calendar: Ms. Pitzer noted future meeting dates for the ACCE as follows:

March 14, 2002	-	Southern WV Community & Technical College
April 18, 2002	-	WVU Institute of Technology
May 16, 2002	-	Marshall University Graduate College
June 2002	-	To be determined
July 30-31, Aug. 1	-	Retreat - Location to be determined

Suggested locations for the annual retreat included Lewisburg, Snowshoe, Stonewall Jackson Lake, and Canaan Valley. Information will be gathered concerning the availability of space, costs, etc. for each location (Lewisburg - Ms. Barfield, Snowshoe - Mr. Martinelli, Stonewall Jackson Lake - Ms. Carney, and Canaan Valley - Ms. Cruz) with a report to be given at the March 14, 2002 ACCE meeting.

IBOG Delegation of Powers to Campus Presidents: Ms. Pitzer previously requested that each representative bring to the meeting a list of the powers that respective IBOGs have delegated to campus Presidents. Reports were submitted from Concord College, Glenville State College and Marshall University. Mr. Martinelli indicated he would fax to Ms. Neal the report from WVU. Concerns were expressed about the lack of uniformity.

Ms. Buttrick indicated each institution is to write a salary policy for submission to the HEPC and that thus far, none have been received. Mr. Gray reported the Classified Staff Council at Southern WVCTC has been requested by President Tomblin to develop an incentive program for classified employees and that comments are due back within a month.

Mr. Grimm questioned if LOCEA has to approve of any merit policies that might be developed. Mr. Wycherley indicated WV Northern Community College is looking at an evaluation system in anticipation of a merit policy. Ms. Fertig encouraged ACCE members to begin researching various merit and salary policy options and to share the information.

PEIA: A February 1, 2002 press release from the WV Public Employees Insurance Agency concerning a proposed change in insurance coverage for spouses of PEIA members was discussed. Ms. Buttrick suggested employees should write to PEIA expressing their concerns. It was questioned as to how the birthday rule would apply to this proposed change. Ms. Neuman suggested that the Benefits Committee contact PEIA Director Tom Susman about attending the ACCE retreat scheduled for July 30 - August 1, 2002. The ACCE agreed that this was an excellent idea. Mr. Grimm indicated that the Higher Education Awareness Committee had a meeting the evening before and agreed that PEIA was a No. 1 priority among state employees. Ms. Pitzer, Ms. Fertig and Ms. Neal will draft a letter to PEIA expressing the ACCEs position on the proposed spousal coverage changes.

Liaison Report:The Chancellors Liaison, Margaret Buttrick, indicated a revised recommendation to the Joint Committee on Pensions and Retirement regarding the various retirement programs for Higher Education was submitted January 29, 2002. The Retirement Committee is active and Ms. Buttrick requested the nomination of a classified employee to serve on the committee now that Patti Vingle has retired.

A revised copy of the ACCE membership was distributed.

Ms. Buttrick reported that PEIA would offer an open enrollment period from April 1 - May 3, 2002. Shoppers guides and forms are being mailed March 18. Benefits fairs will be held on various campuses. She encouraged each campus to become a Pathways to Wellness worksite.

The first draft of Series 8 - Personnel Administration has been completed. Ms. Buttrick indicated she would email the draft to Ms. Pitzer, Ms. Fertig and Ms. Neal as classified employee representatives on the 2002 Personnel and Legislative Issues Committee and that comments at this time should be referred to these representatives. A meeting of the committee has been scheduled for February 28, 2002. Ms. Buttrick said it is possible that Series 8 could be on the HEPC agenda for the March 15, 2002 meeting for informational purposes only and could possibly be completed and approved by June 2002. Ms. Pitzer will forward a copy of the document to all ACCE members once she receives it.

According to Ms. Buttrick, the information requested on salary increases did go forward to LOCEA along with October 1, 2001 salary implementation guidelines. She will email this document to all ACCE members.

Concerning the cost associated with removing the cap on the annual increment for classified employees, Ms. Buttrick said it would cost approximately $750,000 to fund the change. The Governor supposedly has a bill, which will cover classified employees. The Finance or Education Committee may make a move to make the code change if so inclined to do so.

Meetings of the Job Evaluation Committee have been scheduled for March 18 - 20, 2002 and April 8 - 10, 2002 for the purpose of continuing the review of the Physical Plant Job Family.

Presentation to the HEPC: The Policy Committee will be working on the annual presentation to the HEPC following the HEPC meeting today. All ACCE members were encouraged to help with the development of the presentation.

Chancellor Mullen: The Chancellor spoke to the ACCE with regard to issues concerning classified employees. Ms. Fertig requested that he comment on his position with respect to new hires and the zero step. The Chancellor commented that the HEPC gave guidance to the IBOGs. Institutions have up to four years to implement the zero step. His concern was this allowed the opportunity for potential grievances to be filed. Ms. Fertig then requested that the Chancellor comment on the 37.5-hour workweek. He indicated this issue would not go forward immediately. There is concern as to whether the market studies for the salary schedule were based on a 37.5-hour workweek or a 40-hour workweek. Ms. Buttrick indicated the current salary schedule is based on a 40-hour workweek and that it is adjusted 6% to cover benefits that classified employees are currently receiving.

Concerning a salary schedule, the Chancellor indicated he did not believe any changes would be made during the 2002 Legislative session. He said he might think about the possibility of replacing the current schedule with a square matrix schedule which has a cost of living component built into it and a merit policy. He indicated this would take some time to implement.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:33 p.m. in order to provide ACCE members the opportunity to attend the special HEPC meeting scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

STEPHANIE A. NEAL
SECRETARY

AMY PITZER
CHAIR