MINUTES OF ACCE MEETING
October 5, 2005
Marshall University Graduate College
South Charleston, West Virginia
ATTENDANCE
Members in attendance:
Excused:
Unexcused:
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chairperson, Mr. Robert A. "Zac" Wycherley from West Virginia Northern Community College convened the meeting at 10:12 am due to the absence of Chairperson Amy Pitzer from Concord University who was serving on jury duty.
APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER MINUTES
Mr. Wycherley reported that the minutes of the September meeting at West Virginia Institute of Technology had been distributed via the ACCE listserv on the previous day by Mr. Robert Long, Secretary. He asked members to read the minutes for corrections. Mr. Long passed out copies to those members who had not brought their copy. Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh reported a change on page 4 under Sub-Committee report in the first line. The word accurate should be changed to current. Mr. Sid Cooper reported an error on page 2 under Call to Order. He stated that Jewel Bond needed to be changed to Jewel Rucker. Mr. Long pointed out that he failed to acknowledge the efforts of Mr. Sid Cooper as it related to the hosting of the September meeting as requested by the Chairperson.
Mr. Sid Cooper from West Virginia University Institute of Technology
made a motion to accept the minutes with the noted changes. Mr. Paul R. Martinelli from West Virginia University seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
NEW BUSINESS
Report on Institutional Plans for Salary Increases
A discussion ensued on the issue of salary increases. A number of the ACCE representatives that were present reported on the action taken by their respective institutions as it related to salary increases. A chart was distributed which showed the FY06 budgeted full-time equivalency (FTE) positions by institution by category. Following are the individual institutional reports:
WVU and Potomac State College of WVU 2,700 staff, 5,000 faculty and 30 redlined average of $1,001 increase. The distribution was 13 percent from state appropriations and 87 percent from WVU.
Fairmont State University and Fairmont State Community and Technical College reported 3.8 percent increase. Staff moved up $900 or 88.7 percent of full funding whichever is higher. The distribution was 20 percent state appropriations and 80 percent from institutional funds. There were 14 individuals who did not receive a raise. The institution will be 92.58 percent of full funding.
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College will be funding 23 percent of the difference to full funding.
The staff at Glenville State College will receive 12.7 percent of the difference and $160 cost of living increase. Uncertain if the $160 is part of the 12.7 percent.
Shepherd University will be funding 36.73 percent of the difference which will bring the institution to 95.41 percent of full funding.
WVNET will provide $600 across the board raises. Made reference to 21 percent of difference. Uncertain if the $600 is included within the 21 percent.
WVHEPC set aside comparable pools of funds for classified and non-classified employees. Classified employees will receive $500 across the board raises plus some unknown percent of the difference. Non-classified will receive $900 across the board excluding the Chancellors. The remaining non-classified funds will be awarded on the basis of merit with a December target date. There was discussion that some senior classified employees will go beyond the 15 years-of-service maximum with the across the board raise and probationary employees will not receive an immediate raise but will receive the raise on their anniversary date.
West Virginia University Institute of Technology will be funding 14.5 percent of the difference.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg will be funding 18.5 percent of the difference.
Marshall University will be funding 21.8 percent of the difference which brings the institution to 90.2 percent of full funding.
Marshall Community and Technical College will be funding 21.8 percent of the difference.
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine will be at full funding on July 1, 2006.
West Virginia Northern Community and Technical College will not be giving additional raises but adding the supplemental appropriation to the pool to pay the July 1, 2005 raises that have already been given.
As was noted by several ACCE members diversity prevailed in allocating the raises. Members were encouraged to provide the salary information via the ACCE listserv so that a compilation can take place. It was also emphasized that information on faculty and non-classified raises should be provided. The compilation may be used in the ACCE presentation to the joint meeting of the HEPC and CCTCE.
Presentation by Ms. Margaret Buttrick, Human Resources Administrator at HEPC
Ms. Buttrick distributed a handout of the current Classified Employee Representatives on the BOG/BOA and a handout of the current Classified Employee representatives on ACCE. She was advised that Mr. Bob MacPhail resigned as ACCE representative at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College.
Ms. Buttrick reported that the salary surveys were distributed to the institutions by Mr. Dennis Taylor, Vice Chancellor for Administration at WVHEPC and that Mr. Taylor will be presenting a report at the next HEPC/CCTCE. She also reported that institutions must follow their respective policies.
Ms. Buttrick reported on the "will and pleasure" phrase in the certification section of the on-line application for Fairmont State University. The institution stated that the requirement had been on the application for years and that it was not a recent change. Ms. Buttrick advised them that it was contrary to code and recommended that the institution remove the statement from the form for classified employee positions. However, the statement was permissible for non-classified positions as those positions are "will and pleasure."
Ms. Buttrick reported on a recent Supreme Court case filed by a public employee regarding the accumulation of leave benefits while on worker’s compensation: Canfield versus Division of Corrections. Since it was a worker’s compensation case, it affected higher education employees. Essentially, the employee was on Temporary Total Disability under worker’s compensation. The employee contended leave benefits should continue to accumulate during the period of Temporary Total Disability. The court ruled annual leave and seniority for the purposes of years of service continued to accrue during TTD but sick leave could not be accrued nor can pay be received for holidays.
Ms. Buttrick notified the group that she had acted on the various data requests that she had recently received from ACCE. She reported that Mr. Bruce Walker, General Counsel at HEPC, was working on updating the list of rules which BOGs/BOAs are supposed to have approved and reported to HEPC/CCTCE.
Ms. Buttrick advised that the agency is monitoring the status of institutional policies. The results of the assessment may be included in the October agenda.
Another item related to the change in the holiday schedule that was incorporated in HB 406. Starting this year employees will receive the Friday after Thanksgiving off (Governors have traditionally given state employees this day off) but the holiday in February for Lincoln’s birthday has been eliminated. In essence, employees will be loosing a holiday.
Ms. Buttrick reported that Shepherd University was the only institution to officially submit any comments on the Series 8 revision. When asked about another meeting, Ms. Buttrick reported that a notice should be released soon about another meeting of the Series 8 Committee.
Mr. Harbaugh mentioned an issue that was of concern at Shepherd University and probably many of the other state-supported colleges and universities in the state. The issue involved the proliferation of distance learning or virtual education degrees (diploma mills) and their impact on traditional institutions to attract students as well as their use in obtaining positions at institutions. Ms. Buttrick stated that HEPC does a background check on applicants for positions and academic credentials are one of the checks. She suggested that Mr. Harbaugh send his concerns to Dr. Mark Stotler, Interim Director of Academic Affairs.
Ms. Buttrick reported that several of the personnel studies will be presented at the November interims and that the date for Higher Education Day at the Legislature has not been established. Lastly, Ms. Buttrick reported that HEPC will be conducting a search for the replacement of the Chancellor. Mr. Verne Britton from WVNET shared with the group the timeline for the process that had been presented at the recent HEPC meeting.
Finalize Legislative Agenda Items and Brochure Printing
Mr. Long reported on the items that were identified during the brain storming session at the July retreat. Each item was presented and discussed by the members. Following are the five items that were agreed upon and in no particular order:
Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University
made a motion
that the five items be the focus of ACCE during the 2006 legislative session. Ms. Mary Alltop from Glenville State College seconded the motion
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Ms. Mary Alltop from Glenville State College reported that President Robert Freeman had submitted his resignation.
Ms. Johnna Beane from WVU School of Medicine Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center/Charleston Division reported that Dr. Michael Mullen, recent Chancellor at HEPC, is housed at her facility and his office is located next to her office.
Mr. Paul R. Martinelli from West Virginia University showed a video that he recently presented to his BOG. The video showed several classified staff from WVU and the other campuses. Mr. Sid Cooper from West Virginia University Institute of Technology was featured in the presentation. Each individual commented on issues of interest to classified employees and the institution.
OLD BUSINESS
Reconvening of the Two Work Groups to Continue Drafting Presentation
The two work groups spent the balance of the meeting on their assigned tasks and by the end of the day progress had been made on both fronts. Work continues by both committees and its members.
There being no further business, Ms. Mary Alltop from Glenville State
College
made a motion to adjourn. Mr. John C. "Chris" Gray from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Meeting adjourned at 4:06 pm.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Robert E. Long, Secretary
APPROVED REVISED MINUTES November 15, 2005