ADVISORY COUNCIL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES

Minutes of Meeting

December 12, 2002

West Virginia State College

Institute, WV

The Advisory Council of Classified Employees met beginning at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2002 on the campus of the West Virginia State College, Institute, WV.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

MEMBERS ABSENT

GUESTS:

Dr. Hazo W. Carter, President of WV State College, and Margaret Buttrick, HEPC Liaison.

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

Welcome – President Carter:Ms. Fertig introduced the President of WV State College, Dr. Hazo W. Carter. President Carter welcomed everyone to WV State College and gave brief remarks concerning higher education issues throughout the state and the importance of the role that classified employees hold.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the November 14, 2002 ACCE meeting were unavailable but will be considered for approval at the next regularly scheduled ACCE meeting.

Liaison Report: HEPC Liaison, Margaret Buttrick, distributed a number of handouts providing comments on each and allowing opportunities for discussion:

1. Governor’s Memo to All State Employees: WV Governor Bob Wise sent a memo dated December 10, 2002 to all state employees declaring an additional one-half day off on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 for all state employees.
2. Chancellor’s Press Release of November 27, 2002 on Higher Education Reaction to Governor’s Budget Cuts: In this press release, Chancellor Mullen confirmed that financial aid will be exempt from the 3.4 percent budget cut announced recently by WV Governor Bob Wise.
3. WVECN Frequently Asked Questions: The handout lists questions frequently asked, and answered, by WV Governor Bob Wise.
4. Review of Physical Plant Job Family:The JEC has completed its review of the Physical Plant job family and a recommendation for approval of the review to be effective July 1, 2003 will be on the HEPC Agenda for approval December 13, 2002. Any changes in salaries as a result of the review shall be determined by the institutional salary policies approved by the Institutional Board of Governors consistent with the guidance provided by Series 8. Ms. Buttrick added that the JEC still needs to review the Office Support job family but the current situation doesn’t provide the opportunity for that to occur at this time.
5. Legislative Interims December 15 – 17, 2002:LOCEA will be meeting Sunday, December 15 from 5 – 7 p.m. The report on non-classified salaries is still not available. The SREB does not perform this type of salary survey so CUPA data is being used.

Concerning personnel policies, Ms. Buttrick indicated campuses are working on such policies. With regards to bumping, campuses are being advised to bump the least senior person within the paygrade. The HEPC has guidelines to offer if the campuses ask for them.

Ms. Fertig asked for an update on Series 8. Ms. Buttrick indicated that no action is being taken at this point.

Ms. Buttrick commented on ACCE meeting schedules and noted that individual campuses do have the right to limit travel. Ms. Pitzer asked how technology issues will be worked out for the ACCE to meet by video or teleconference if travel is limited. Ms. Buttrick responded that various techniques and the costs associated with them are under consideration.

Request for Meeting with Governor Wise: Mr. Martinelli distributed a copy of a facsimile sent to the Governor’s Office requesting a meeting with the Governor and the ACCE’s Governmental Liaison Committee to review our legislative goals for 2003. Various dates in January 2003 were offered for the Governor’s consideration.

Town Hall Meetings: The Governor held an interactive Town Hall Meeting for state employees December 10, 2002 at various locations throughout the state. Ms. Pitzer attended the meeting on behalf of the ACCE. There is a form on the Governor’s web-site which provides the opportunity for input into the current financial situation of the state. The ACCE developed the following list of items for consideration in sending to the Governor:

1. Delay the 80/20 implementation of PEIA premium increases.
2. All state agencies should be included in any budget cuts.
3. Stress the need for uniformity in personnel policies, rules and procedures.
4. Elimination of Mountaineer State Professorships.
5. Change in FTE for classified employees.
6. Comment on better use of existing technology.
7. Develop exigency plan for higher education and the state.
8. Restructuring of higher education at the institutional levels.
9. Consider additional revenue sources.
10. Have students pay for all credit hours.
11. Create a payroll tax on non-residents who work in West Virginia.

A motion was made by Mr. Martinelli and seconded by Ms. Neuman “that the Chair send these recommendations to the Governor,” on behalf of the ACCE. The motion was approved.

ACCE Travel: A discussion occurred concerning travel to ACCE meetings. State code currently states that ACCE representatives shall be reimbursed for expenses necessary to attend meetings.

Update on Future Meeting Dates:

February 4, 2003	Higher Education Day at the Legislature
February 20, 2003	ACCE – Location: MUGC, South Charleston, WV
February 21, 2003	HEPC – Location: Charleston, WV
March 7, 2003	ACCE – Location: Charleston, WV (exact location to be determined)
April 23, 2003	ACCE – Location: MUGC, South Charleston, WV
April 24, 2003	HEPC – Location: Charleston, WV
May 2003	ACCE – possibly eliminate this meeting
June 13, 2003	HEPC - Location: WVU - Parkersburg
July 16 – 17, 2003	ACCE Annual Retreat (First Option) – Location: possibly Heritage Farm & Museum, Huntington, WV
July 30 – 31, 2003	ACCE Annual Retreat (Second Option) – Location: possibly Heritage Farm & Museum, Huntington, WV
August 22, 2003	HEPC – Location: Charleston, WV
November 10, 2003	ACCE – Location: Charleston, WV
December 4, 2003	ACCE – Location: WV School of Osteopathic Medicine
December 5, 2003	HEPC – Location: WV School of Osteopathic Medicine

Revision of the ACCE Legislative Agenda: Ms. Pitzer noted that prior to the ACCE meeting, Ms. Cruse called seeking direction on the design of the ACCE’s legislative brochure. She was advised to keep the B&W design simple so ACCE members can make copies for their campuses. Possible agenda items include:

1. Series 8 (take back as a legislative rule rather than a procedural rule)
2. Merit/Compensation guidelines and inequities. Discuss schedule issues.
3. Possible delay of the 80-20 implementation for PEIA premium increases.
4. Right to serve in the legislature/public office.
5. Seat on the HEPC.
6. Fairness in all agencies suffering equally in the budget/financial situation.

Ms. Pitzer will put the suggested legislative agenda items on the list-serve for a formal vote and will then forward the approved list to Ms. Cruse for layout and design of the legislative brochure.

Expression of Sympathy:Ms. Pitzer requested that the minutes reflect that the ACCE’s thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Patti Vingle, former ACCE representative from Fairmont State College, on the recent loss of her granddaughter.

Informational Item:It was suggested to Ms. Pitzer by an institutional president that three students and three presidents be added to the Advisory Council’s Higher Education Awareness Committee. Due to the lack of a quorum, Ms. Pitzer noted this item will be considered at the next ACCE meeting.

Adjournment:The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

STEPHANIE A. NEAL
SECRETARY

AMY PITZER
CHAIR
(Approved 05/08/03)