ADVISORY COUNCIL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES

Minutes of Meeting

July 30-31, 2002

Heritage Farm and Musuem

Huntington, WV

The Advisory Council of Classified Employees met beginning at 1:20 p.m., Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at Heritage Farm and Museum, Huntington, WV

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

MEMBERS ABSENT

GUESTS:

Margaret V. Buttrick, the Chancellor’s Liaison (July 31, 2002).

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2002:

With a quorum being present, the Chair, Ms. Pitzer, called the meeting to order.

Goal Setting: A discussion was held to determine items to be accomplished at the retreat. Topics included:

• Setting goals and objectives for 2002-2003
• Determining Salary/Compensation Policy to be supported by the ACCE
• Annual Increment Cap – strategy for having this removed for Classified Employees
• PEIA
• Legislative Matters

Legislative Goals: Due to the projected budget shortfall, the 2003 Legislative Session will most likely be a very challenging one. Classified employees should be encouraged to “think outside the box” in suggesting additional sources of revenue.

The Legislative Committee should meet to develop an agenda for ACCE approval. The unified message will need to be conveyed to all classified employees and IBOG’s prior to the 2003 legislative session. Items for discussion by the Legislative Committee should include, but not be limited to: Series 8, removal of the annual increment cap, compensation guidelines including merit, PEIA, etc.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2002:

The Chair, Ms. Pitzer, called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

Liaison Report:

1. Salary Schedules: Ms. Buttrick led a discussion concerning the various models of salary schedules as listed below:
   1. Inverted Pyramid (Model currently being used for WV Higher Education Classified Employees.)
   2. Equalized Step Schedule (Model currently being used for WV State Government – at one time was the preferred model in general but no longer so.)
   3. Broad Banding (Using this model, policy is written for defining how to move between the bands, or areas. The model gives great latitude to supervisors and requires rules for governing. The entire schedule provides flexibility to move for a cost-of-living increase.)
   4. Quadrant Method (Model provides for movement within four quadrants—both hard to use and explain. Ms. Buttrick doesn’t know of any organizations that use this model.)
   Ms. Buttrick indicated that she has not been asked by anyone to look at other salary schedule models for classified employees.
2. Classification Program Market Study Information: Ms. Buttrick distributed a document entitled “Classified Program Market Study Information” which contained 1) the process for the 1994 salary schedule development, 2) the process for the 1999 schedule review and 3) the 1999 survey points from William M. Mercer, Inc.
3. WVHEPC Retirement Feasibility Project Update: Ms. Buttrick distributed a document entitled “West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Retirement Feasibility Project Updated” which contained the project timetable and a list of the proposals received.
4. ACCE List: Ms. Buttrick distributed an updated list of the Advisory Council of Classified Employees representatives effective July 29, 2002.
5. JEC Update: Ms. Buttrick indicated the JEC met last week and performed a factor by factor review of the Physical Plant job family. Peggy Stamper, whose last day of work at the HEPC is August 1, 2002, is completing a review document to forward to the JEC for a final review of the Physical Plant job family and vote on the proposed changes. It may possibly be late August 2002 before a conference call can take place to complete the review. Once a final decision is made by the JEC, the decision will be forwarded to the Chancellor.
6. Merit/Performance Evaluations: Ms. Buttrick indicated HRA’s (Human Resource Administrators) would like to see a standard evaluation for classified employees. She expressed concerns seen in reviewing the various evaluations, provided to her by the ACCE, that are currently being used statewide. She also indicated she will continue to review the evaluation forms and will send her comments to the Chancellor, along with a copy of the review to Ms. Pitzer.
7. Series 8: Ms. Buttrick indicated there is no new information concerning the revision of Series 8. The Chancellor has not provided any direction concerning Series 8 at this time.

Committee Appointments: Volunteers and nominations for the following Standing and Ad Hoc Committees for 2002-2003 were accepted as follows:

Benefits Committee:
Valeria Barfield
Betsy Crouch
John C. (Chris) Gray
Fred Hardee
Evie McPherson

Governmental Liaison Committee:
Amy Pitzer
A. Jenny Fertig
Stephanie A. Neal
Chair, Benefits Committee (to be appointed)
Chair, Legislative Committee (to be appointed)

Legislative Committee:
A. Jenny Fertig
Paul R. Martinelli
Barbara Neuman
Robert A. “Zac” Wycherley

Policy Committee:
Sandy Crist
Evie McPherson
Violet G. Mosser
Sandra Shriver
Joseph R. Taylor

Web Page Committee:
Debi Cruse
Tim Haines
Lisa A. Reel

By-Laws Committee (Ad Hoc):
Betsy Crouch
Stephanie A. Neal
Sandra Shriver

Higher Education Awareness Committee (Ad Hoc):
Tim Haines
Joseph R. Taylor
Robert A. “Zac” Wycherley

Ms. Pitzer requested that each committee meet as soon as possible to appoint a chair and to determine a list of responsibilities for each committee.

Announcements:

The ACCE’s First Annual Video-Conference will be held August 1, 2002 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Marshall University.

A tentative date for the ACCE’s Second Annual Video-Conference has been set for August 1, 2003.

The ACCE meeting originally scheduled to be held on September 12, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. has been changed to September 13, 2002 at 9:00 a.m.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

STEPHANIE A. NEAL
SECRETARY


AMY PITZER
CHAIR