Advisory Council of Classified Employees

Minutes of ACCE Meeting

November 29, 2007

Glenville State College

Glenville, West Virginia

ATTENDANCE

Members in attendance:

Robert A “Zac” Wycherley, West Virginia Northern Community College

Robert E. Long, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

Fred Hardee, Bluefield State College

Ellen L. Moore, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Dennis Mitchell, Fairmont State University (proxy)

Mary Alltop, Glenville State College

Mike Dunn, Marshall University

Beverly Jones, Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University

Deborah Cruse, Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Mary Ann Edwards, West Liberty State College

Verne Britton, West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing (WVNET)

William Porterfield, West Virginia State University

Paul Martinelli, West Virginia University

Sid Cooper, West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Excused:

Amy Pitzer, Concord University

Larry Bloom, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Lisa Penix, Marshall Community and Technical College

Mary M. Igo, New River Community and Technical College

Kenneth Harbaugh, Shepherd University

J. Christopher Gray, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Evonne Masters, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Lee Ann Porterfield, West Virginia State Community and Technical College

Timothy Beardsley, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Johnna Beane, West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Charleston Division

Unexcused:

Cathy Stevenson, Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Janene Seacrist, Council for Community and Technical College Education

Guests:

Carla Conley, Glenville State College, Student Loan Officer

Bonnie Edwards, Glenville State College, Financial Aid Assistant II

Susan Persinger, Glenville State College, Financial Aid Assistant II

Dave Stalnaker, Glenville State College, Director of Human Resources

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson, Mr. Robert A. “Zac” Wycherley from West Virginia Northern Community College, convened the meeting at 9:18 am. Mr. Wycherley recognized the guests in the audience. He suggested ACCE members introduce themselves and started the activity by introducing himself. After introductions by ACCE members, the guests from Glenville State College introduced themselves.

APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES

Mr. Robert E. Long, Secretary from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, distributed copies of the draft minutes from the October meeting that was held at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. He reported that the draft minutes had initially been distributed via the ACCE LISTSERV on November 7th and the current draft reflected suggested changes that had been reported. Mr. Paul Martinelli from West Virginia University made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College seconded the motion.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CAMPUS CONCERNS

Mr. Dave Stalnaker, Director of Human Resources at Glenville State College reported to the members that at a recent meeting Ms. Margaret Buttrick, Human Resources Administrator at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, had encouraged those state employees who were directly affected by the lost computer tape to request credit reports. The tape, lost in shipment, contained personal information on past and current members of PEIA, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and AccessWV, the state’s high risk insurance pool.

Mr. Long reported on the public hearing that was held in Charleston by the PEIA Board on proposed changes in PEIA coverage for next year. He indicated that he spoke on behalf of classified employees on the issue of cashing in sick leave for health care benefits. He informed the Board that many classified employees have expressed concern that such benefit (serve as a supplemental policy) may be of limited to no value once an employee reaches age 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare benefits. One Board member responded by stating the issue was raised at the last meeting and that the Board would be interested in working with employee groups and organizations to address possible solutions. A staff person by the name of Mr. Jason Haught, CPA Chief Financial Officer at PEIA, came by and provided his business card. Major disappointment was expressed by Medicare eligible retirees over the decision by this administration to convert their health care plan from the Medicare Part A and B, supplemented by PEIA, to the private fee-for-service Medicare Advantage/Prescription Drug (MAPD Plan). The state contracted with Coventry Health Care to provide health benefits to Medicare eligible retired employees through the Coventry Advantra Freedom Private Fee for Service Plan. Many seniors reported increases in deductibles and co-pays plus reduced service as many out-of-state vendors will not accept the new coverage. The rationale given by Board members was the conversion was necessary for cost saving purposes. Mr. Martinelli reported similar reaction from retirees at the meeting in Morgantown. Retirees emphasized the cost increases combined with the difficulty in securing acceptance of the new plan by out-of-state vendors.

Mr. Hardee informed members of the need to initiate employee bumping rights on his campus as a result of a reduction in force action. He reported that the institution followed the approved bumping policy whereby the furloughed employee had to bump the least senior employee in her/his pay grade. Mr. Stalnaker reported that it was his understanding that a sub-committee will be established as part of the Personnel Study to address reduction in force issues.

Mr. Hardee reported on a request from students to Staff Council to implement a four day class schedule to address the increased costs associated with commuting to college. Staff Council met with the President to discuss the feasibility of implementing such request. It was ultimately discarded as a result of faculty opposition. A modified version was approved that allowed flexible work schedules for staff.

Another ACCE member brought up the issue of being financially compensated for electing a private insurance plan rather than the state PEIA insurance plan. The net effect is that it saves the state money.

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Wycherley reported that the Grievance Board meets next week. He reported the filing of a grievance several months ago without any action currently being taken.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Long mentioned the lack of acknowledgement of classified employees as well as the on-going Personnel Study in the HEPC Master Plan. Similar concerns were expressed by Ms. Amy Pitzer from Concord University at last month’s ACCE meeting. Mr. Hardee reported that the college approved a second round of salary increases to take affect on December 1, 2007.

2008 MEETING SCHEDULE

Mr. Wycherley informed members of the balance of the 2007- 2008 meeting schedule. It is as follows:

December 18, 2007 Marshall University Graduate College

January 10, 2008 West Virginia State University

February 12, 2008 WV Higher Education Policy Commission

March 7, 2008 Capitol Complex (to be announced)

April 11, 2008 West Virginia University Institute of Technology

May 22, 2008 Concord University

June 13, 2008 Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

COMMITTEES

Ms. Deborah Cruse from Potomac State College of West Virginia University reported for the Legislative Committee as Chairperson, Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University was unable to attend. She stated that Mr. Harbaugh wanted to encourage ACCE members to contact their legislative delegation for the purpose of establishing meeting dates to address ACCE issues. Ms. Cruse reported that it appears unlikely the legislative brochure will require major modifications as similar priorities have been approved for 2008 and she encouraged members to review the current brochure and share any thoughts for improvement. Members were in agreement that a laminated book marker with the major legislative items would be advantageous in communicating the message. Efforts are underway to accomplish this task. While advocating for “full funding” of the salary schedule, members realized such success will reward certain institutions who failed to comply with the timelines in meeting the “zero step” and salary schedule at the expense of those institutions who were successful in complying with the mandate within the required time period.

Mr. Long presented draft language relating to the right of higher education employees to serve in the legislature. The members discussed the draft with certain changes being made.

Ms. Beverly Jones from Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University and Chairperson of the Retreat Conference Committee discussed potential dates for the 2008 ACCE Annual Retreat. The preferred date of members was July 13, 14 and 15. Ms. Jones stated her committee would begin considering sites to be presented to the members.

WORK SESSION FOR HEPC PRESENTATION

ACCE members began the process of reviewing and updating the material to be presented on the next day to the HEPC Board. There being no further business to come before the members, Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Sid Cooper from West Virginia University Institute of Technology seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 am. While the formal part of the meeting concluded, members returned after lunch to continue work on the ACCE presentation to be presented to the HEPC Board.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

Robert E. Long, Secretary

APPROVED MINUTES ON JANUARY 10, 2008