Minutes of ACCE Meeting
September 28, 2007
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Lewisburg, West Virginia
ATTENDANCE
Members in attendance:
Robert A. “Zac” Wycherley, West Virginia Northern Community College
Amy Pitzer, Concord University
Robert E. Long, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Fred Hardee, Bluefield State College
Ellen Moore, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Cathy Stevenson, Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Larry Bloom, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Mary Alltop, Glenville State College
Lisa Penix, Marshall Community and Technical College
Mike Dunn, Marshall University
Mary M. Igo, New River Community and Technical College
Beverly Jones, Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University
Kenneth Harbaugh, Shepherd University
Mary Ann Edwards, West Liberty State College
Verne Britton, West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing (WVNET)
Evonne Masters, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
William Porterfield, West Virginia State University
Paul Martinelli, West Virginia University
Timothy Beardsley, West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Sid Cooper, West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Excused:
Harmony Hutchinson, Fairmont State University
Deborah Cruse, Potomac State College of West Virginia University
J. Christopher Gray, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Lee Ann Porterfield, West Virginia State Community and Technical College
Johnna Beane, West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Charleston Division
Unexcused:
Janene Seacrist, Council for Community and Technical College Education
Guests:
Margaret Buttrick, Human Resources Administrator, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Mr. Robert A. “Zac” Wycherley from West Virginia Northern Community College convened the meeting at 9:06 am. Mr. Wycherley recognized Mr. Larry Bloom, new representative from Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College. Mr. Bloom reported that he had been at the college for approximately one year. ACCE members introduced themselves to Mr. Bloom.
APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST MINUTES
Mr. Robert E. Long, Secretary from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, distributed copies of the draft minutes from the August meeting that was held at Marshall University Graduate College. He reported that the draft minutes had initially been distributed via the ACCE LISTSERV on September 27th. Mr. Timothy Beardsley from West Virginia University at Parkersburg requested that his status be changed to excused from unexcused as he had earlier reported his unavailability for the meeting. Mr. Long reported the need for ACCE members to submit such notices via the ACCE LISTSERV so that he can record such absences. Mr. Mike Dunn from Marshall University made a motion to accept the minutes with the addition of the change in status for Mr. Beardsley. Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
LIAISON REPORT FROM MS. MARGARET BUTTRICK, HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION
Mr. Wycherley introduced Ms. Buttrick to the new ACCE member, Mr. Larry Bloom from Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College. Ms. Buttrick opened her presentation by distributing copies of Senate Bill 2005, passed during the Special Session held in August. The significance of the legislation for classified employees was the inclusion of language under §18B-9-(c) that enables classified employees to receive a salary in excess of the salary established by the salary schedule for her/his pay grade and years of experience providing all such employees at the institution are receiving at least the minimum salary for their pay grade and years of experience as established for them by the salary schedule; provided that any salary increase must be provided in a manner that is consistent with the uniform classification system and the institution’s salary policy.
Per the request of ACCE Ms. Buttrick reported that she had communicated with Human Resource offices as it related to the distribution of the benchmark material to campus-wide personnel. She was happy to report that the institutions had complied with the request. Per another request of ACCE Ms. Buttrick indicated that she had reported the concerns of ACCE relative to Senior Faculty Status to Chancellor Brian Noland and Dr. Bruce Flack, Director of Academic Affairs, who are reviewing the issue. Ms. Amy Pitzer from Concord University reported on the Presidential salary/compensation packages that were approved by the Higher Education Policy Commission.
Ms. Buttrick moved to the next topic on her list which was the Personnel Studies. She stated that Ms. Nichelle Perkins, Coordinator, Personnel Study, sends her appreciation to classified employees for the responses that classified employees submitted on the benchmark data and a reminder for classified employees to be alert for upcoming e-mails on additional Personnel Study issues for which review and responses will be needed. Ms. Buttrick reported that the recent Human Resource training provided to higher education employees will be highlighted in a featured article in next month’s World @ Work magazine. She also distributed copies of the revised ACCE membership list.
Ms. Buttrick reported that on the previous day she had addressed the issue of the new West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Procedure combined with training on the Position Information Questionnaire (PIQ) via power point presentations to the employees of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. She subsequently presented the identical presentation on the grievance procedure to ACCE. She distributed copies of her presentation along with the Grievance Timelines under West Virginia Code §6C-2-1 et seq. Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University encouraged ACCE representatives to take the PIQ training presentation back to their respective campuses and promote such training be conducted on individual campuses.
Both Ms. Buttrick and Ms. Amy Pitzer from Concord University expressed disappointment over the new grievance rule. They stated that the old rule was utilized to develop the new rule which resulted in numerous areas of confusion. Under the new grievance procedure the grievance must be submitted to the President of the institution unless the President selects a designee. An issue was raised in relation to the appointment of a designee by the President. Does the action of the designee become final or does the President have authority to override such decision? In instances where the President assigns a designee, it is essential that all staff be notified of the designee who will handle grievances. Several strengths of the new process include a reduction in the number of levels within the grievance process and the ability to monitor the number of actual grievances. Several weaknesses include numerous ambiguities relative to the process and the need for training of new Administrative Law Judges (ALJS). Finally, the West Virginia Education and State Employees Grievance Board was replaced by the West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Board on July 1 with the web site changing from www.state.wv.us/admin/grievanc to www.pegboard.state.wv.us
CLASSIFIED STAFF SALARY UPDATE
Mr. Paul Martinelli from West Virginia University updated the members on the salary plan presented by the Staff Council. The proposed 9-4-2 plan would have provided classified employees with a 9 percent salary pool increase, the faculty with a 4 percent salary pool increase and the non-classified employees with a 2 percent salary pool increase. Had the plan been approved it would have brought the institution to within $3 million of fully funding the salary schedule. However, the Board of Governors approved the administration plan of a 5 percent pool of funds for each of the three categories of employees. The funding pool of which $4.5 million was the classified employee share enabled employees to receive 44.5 percent of the difference from where they were on the salary schedule and where they should be. The salary increases averaged around $1500 per classified employee and brought the level to 94.46 percent of full funding. He reported that Potomac State College of West Virginia University received a similar 5 percent pool of funds for each of the three categories of employees. However, the satellite campuses at West Virginia University Institute of Technology and West Virginia University at Parkersburg were limited to a 3.5 percent pool of funds. The failure to meet enrollment and revenue goals were factors in establishing the lower percentage. The salary increases brought WVUIT to 92.93 percent of full funding with classified employees receiving 49.31 of the difference. At WVU at Parkersburg the 3.5 percent pool of funds brought the level to 91.94 percent of full funding with classified employees receiving 27.83 percent of difference. Average raises for classified employees at the satellite campuses were $1500.
Mr. Wycherley from West Virginia Northern Community College reported that raises of 2.5 percent were given on October 15 to the employees who failed to receive raises in July.
Ms Evonne Masters from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine reported a 5 percent pool of funds were available for salary increases.
Mr. J. Christopher Gray from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College reported via correspondence that raises were given on July 1 with classified employees receiving 23 percent of difference from where they were and where they should be on the salary schedule.
Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University reported the salary schedule was fully funded with the 2007 salary increases.
Ms. Beverly Jones from Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University reported a 3 percent pool of funds with the increases bringing the level up to 95.5 to 97 of full funding.
FINANCIAL AID UPDATE
Mr. Long raised the issue with members as to any feed back on the Grant Program issues from their respective Staff Councils. He reported that Mr. Martinelli had invited him to address the issue before the WVU Staff Council in October. Discussion on the issue ensued with Mr. Verne Britton from West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing (WVNET) raising a number of issues related to the impact that ACCE could have on altering the outcome. One member suggested the soliciting of student feedback on the issue as the student group would be a vital support group. Mr. Long indicated that he would seek the name of the Chair of the Advisory Council of Students and communicate with that individual relative to the issue. Mr. Sid Cooper from West Virginia University Institute of Technology asked whether the proposed change was an improvement or a regression over the current awarding policy. Mr. Long responded by stating it was his opinion that the current policy is a fairer and more equitable system.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CAMPUS CONCERNS
Mr. Timothy Beardsley from West Virginia University at Parkersburg distributed information on lodging, directions etc. for the October ACCE meeting to be held at the college.
Mr. Harbaugh reported that his institution has agreed to provide mandatory training for supervisors.
Ms. Kathy Stevenson from the Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology volunteered to become a member of the Retreat Conference Committee.
Ms. Harmony Hutchinson communicated her intent to resign as ACCE representative from Fairmont State University.
Legislative Agenda
Mr. Wycherley initiated a discussion on the priority items that ACCE would pursue during the forthcoming legislative session. Mr. Mike Dunn from Marshall University listed four items. Mr. Harbaugh added two more items. Following is the complete list that was presented by the members:
1. Overall increase of funding for higher education
1A. Mandating full funding of the existing classified salary schedule as of July 1, 2008 with the expectation that new funds be earmarked for salary increases
2. Retirement Contribution-Equalization of contribution with other state employees
3. Right to serve in the Legislature
4. Increase in increment pay from $50 to $75
5. Seat on HEPC/CCTCE
6. Commitment to Personnel Studies
7. Authority for authorizing pay raises HEPC/CCTCE or local Governing Boards
8. PEIA issues
9. 9 months equal 12 month issue
10. Issue of HEPC/CCTCE authority
Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University made a motion that numbers 1, 1A, 2 and 3 be the priority items of ACCE for the 2008 legislative session. Mr. Timothy Beardsley from West Virginia University at Parkersburg seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION, WORK SESSION
Mr. Larry Bloom, new ACCE representative from Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College volunteered to become a member of the Benefits Committee. Mr. Harbaugh, Chair of the Legislative Committee, asked those members of the committee who were present to remain for a period after the meeting for a discussion of legislative issues.
WORK SESSION FOR CCTCE PRESENTATION
Mr. Wycherley reminded members of the forthcoming ACCE presentation that is to the given to the CCTCE at their October meeting at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. With ACCE meeting the day before, a draft of the presentation needs to be available for discussion at the meeting with finalization taking place after the meeting. The Presentation Committee will be working on that project.
Mr. Wycherley wishes to express on behalf of ACCE its appreciation specifically to Ms. Evonne Masters, ACCE representative, as well as to other members of the staff at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine who were involved in providing such excellent facilities and amenities.
There being no further business to come before the members Mr. William Porterfield from West Virginia State University made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Timothy Beardsley from West Virginia University at Parkersburg seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 4:10 pm.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Robert E. Long, Secretary
APPROVED MINUTES ON OCTOBER 25, 2007