ATTENDANCE
Members in attendance:
Excused:
Guests:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Ms. Amy Pitzer from Concord University convened the meeting at 10.05 am. Ms. Pitzer recognized Mr. Sid Cooper, ACCE representative from West Virginia University Institute of Technology. Mr. Cooper introduced Dr. Galan "Lanny" Janeksela, Vice President for Academic Affairs and provost for West Virginia University and three members of the library staff at the institution. They were Ms. Jewel Rucker, Department Head, Periodicals, Ms. Joy Humphries, Cataloging, Reference Government Documents and Ms. Carol Bond, Cataloging.
Dr. Janeksela welcomed the ACCE members to the campus on behalf of Mr. Charles E. Bayless, President of West Virginia University Institute of Technology and Dr. Beverly Jo Harris, President of the Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. He expressed a concern over the lack of raises at the institution. He stated that it had been four or five years since faculty and staff had received a raise. He expressed hope that faculty and staff can reach peer equity through the commitment of the legislature to fund higher education.
INTRODUCTIONS
Ms.Pitzer asked the members present to introduce themselves and state for whom they represent for the benefit of Dr. Janeksela.
APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST MINUTES
Mr. Robert Long, Secretary, provided the draft minutes from the August 9, 2005 ACCE meeting held at Fairmont State University. Ms. Mary Alltop from Glenville State College noted several grammatical changes. Mr. Mike Dunn from Marshall University
made motion to accept minutes with any grammatical changes to be sent by members to the Secretary. Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
OLD BUSINESS
BY-LAWS Amendment Approval
Ms. Pitzer reported that Mr. Long, Secretary, had distributed another copy of the proposed changes to the BY-LAWS via e-mail. In accordance with Article XI, Section 2 of the BY-LAWS, Ms. Pitzer had notified the membership that a formal vote on the proposed changes would take place at the September 16, 2005 ACCE meeting. She established a deadline for voting to be September 21, 2005 at 4:00 pm.
Mr. Verne Britton from WVNET raised the issue of lack of attendance of ACCE representatives at monthly ACCE meetings. A discussion ensued relative to the appropriate term that should be used whenever a member fails to attend a meeting. The two options were absent or excused. Secondly, it was noted that regular attendance at ACCE meetings is beneficial in order for an ACCE representative to be most effective. Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University
made a motion to accept the term absent rather than excused and to direct the Chairperson to communicate to ACCE members who have missed at least three meetings over the past year of the importance of attending monthly ACCE meetings. Mr. Fred Hardee seconded the motion. After further discussion on both the term to be used and the need for notification on the importance of attending ACCE meetings on a regular basis, Mr. Harbaugh
amended his original motion to read: To use term "excused" for members who provide a notification for planned absences and the term "unexcused" for members who fail to provide such notification and to direct the ACCE Chairperson to correspond with both ACCE members and the Chairpersons of their Staff Councils relative to the importance of ACCE members to attend ACCE meetings. Mr. Fred Hardee seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
ACCE Meeting with Governor
Ms. Pitzer reported on the August 22, 2005 meeting of ACCE members with Governor Joe Manchin III, Jay Cole, Deputy Secretary and other staff. She indicated that the members stressed the importance of including higher education employees in any proposed salary increases that may be addressed during the September Special Session and the importance of placing any appropriated funds for classified employees into the classified employee salary schedule. ACCE members also encouraged the administration to delay the statutorily mandated increases in PEIA premiums that are scheduled to take place (the 80% to 20% contribution). Should the January timeline be followed, any salary increases could be offset by the premium increase. Another item of importance to ACCE members was the retention of the higher education personnel rule as a legislative rule. Finally, ACCE expressed a need to be involved in the meet and confer activity that was established by the Governor in view of the fact ACCE is the statutorily defined organization that represents classified employees. Ms. Pitzer reported a positive reaction on the part of the administration to the language that was developed by ACCE as it related to funding for classified employees. From the comments of Ms. Pitzer the meeting was successful in the effort of ACCE to educate the administration on classified employee concerns.
JEC Vacancy Filled
Ms. Pitzer reported that Barbara Neuman from West Liberty State College will become the new ACCE representative on the JEC. She also expressed her appreciation to each of the ACCE members who indicated an interest in the position.
Other Old Business
Ms. Pitzer requested that the minutes read that ACCE is extremely appreciative of the conscientious effort by Mike Dunn, ACCE member from Marshall University, and his other Marshall University colleagues during the September Special Session relative to the needs of classified employees.
Ms. Pitzer requested that the minutes read that ACCE is also extremely appreciative of the conscientious effort by Kenneth Harbaugh, ACCE member from Shepherd University, and his other Shepherd University colleagues during the September Special Session relative to the needs of classified employees.
Ms. Pitzer requested that the minutes read that ACCE is equally appreciative of the conscientious effort displayed by Paul R. Martinelli, ACCE member from West Virginia University, in regards to establishing the August meeting with the Governor.
Mr. Britton commented that the minutes should also include an appreciation to ACCE for the time and effort given by various ACCE representatives during the September Special Session for the benefit of classified employees statewide.
Ms. Pitzer requested that the minutes read that ACCE is equally appreciative of the work by Deborah Cruse in highlighting the accomplishments of ACCE.
Ms. Pitzer requested that the minutes read that ACCE wishes to express its utmost appreciation to Mr. Sid Cooper from West Virginia University Institute of Technology for his effort in hosting the September meeting of ACCE.
NEW BUSINESS
Report on September Special Session
Ms. Pitzer reported that the ACCE language was placed in SB 4019. Unfortunately, House Finance Chairperson Harold Michael and Delegate John Doyle had reservations about certain provisions in SB 4019. Thus, the ACCE language was removed from the final bill that was agreed upon by both chambers. Nothing in the approved bill prevents institutions from directing those allocated funds to purposes other than salary needs or from directing the funds to certain categories of employees. Ms. Pitzer reported that she has sent a letter to the Chancellor whereby she requested that the HEPC direct institutions to place funds in the salary schedule for salary increases.
Mr. Britton commented on the possible implications of the salary increase for classified employees of WVNET. Mr. Hardee commented that the Bluefield State College Board of Governors calculated the amount of the raises to be higher than $600. A lengthy discussion took place on the salary issue. It was pointed out that ACCE needs to maintain closer ties with the HEPC, CCTCE, House and Senate leadership members, House and Senate Finance and Education members and individual members within an ACCE member’s district.
Sub-Committee Report Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh, Chairperson
Mr. Harbaugh reported that it was difficult to obtain current numbers and dollars. He questioned the validity of some of the data produced by HEPC. Ms. Pitzer questioned the feasibility of modifying the previous PowerPoint presentation for use at this year’s meeting. The consensus of the group was that a different message was needed for the current presentation. Mr. Cooper presented a draft PowerPoint presentation relative to poverty and its relationship to classified employees for possible use in the script to be presented at the joint meeting of HEPC/CCTCE. The members settled on an outline that would entail the following:
The members divided up into several teams to brain storm on content, scope and style. After each group spent a period of time on their work assignments, the members reconvened so that each group could report to the full group. The members agreed that a sad story theme should be the focus of the presentation.
Approval of Amendments to BY-LAWS
Mr. Mike Dunn from Marshall University
made a motion to accept the amendments to the BY-LAWS. Mr. Robert A. "ZAC" Wycherley from West Virginia Northern Community College seconded the motion.
MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE THIRTEEN MEMBERS PRESENT
Needing a two-thirds vote of approval for passage, an additional four members will need to vote in the affirmative to ratify the changes.
Ms.Pitzer stated that she would notify those ACCE members who have not voted of the need to vote by the September 21, 2005, 4:00 pm deadline.
There being no further business, Ms. Laura McCullough from West Virginia State University
made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Meeting adjourned at 3:07 pm.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Robert E. Long, Secretary
APPROVED AMENDED MINUTES October 5, 2005