Advisory Council of Classified Employees

Minutes of ACCE Meeting

December 18, 2007

Marshall University Graduate College

South Charleston, 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

Mary M. Igo, New River Community and Technical College

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

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

Lee Ann Porterfield, West Virginia State Community and Technical College

William Porterfield, West Virginia State University

Paul Martinelli, West Virginia University

Sid Cooper, West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Excused:

Amy Pitzer, Concord University

Ellen L. 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

Harmony Hutchinson, Fairmont State University

Mary Alltop, Glenville State College

Lisa Penix, Marshall Community and Technical 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

Kenneth Harbaugh, Shepherd University

Mary Ann Edwards, West Liberty State College

Evonne Masters, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Timothy Beardsley, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

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

Unexcused:

Janene Seacrist, Council for Community and Technical College Education

Guest:

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 9:13 am. He immediately moved to the presentation of the November minutes.

APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES

Mr. Robert E. Long, Secretary from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, distributed copies of the draft minutes from the November meeting that was held at Glenville State College. He reported that the draft minutes had been distributed via the ACCE LISTSERV on the previous day. One typographical error was reported at the meeting. Since a quorum was lacking, the approval of the minutes had to be deferred until the January meeting.

LIAISON REPORT FROM MS MARGARET BUTTRICK, HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION

Mr. Wycherley introduced Ms. Buttrick who opened her presentation by distributing a revised copy of the spreadsheet on Faculty, Classified Staff and Non-Classified Staff Salary Increases By Institution for Fiscal Year 2008. It replaced the version that was distributed by Chancellor Brian Noland at the November HEPC Commission meeting at Glenville State College. Ms. Buttrick stated the current version reflected the updated figures that were submitted by New River Community and Technical College.

From the fall HEPC Commission report Ms. Buttrick reported that West Virginia University and all of its affiliates remain the only public institutions with classified employees below the “Zero Step.” While other public institutions were reported as being in a similar condition, Ms. Buttrick reported such situation did not exist and that data error was the cause. She stated such data errors will be corrected with a revised report issued in January. The revised report should show the amount needed by each institution for full funding of the classified salary schedule. Ms. Buttick indicated that she would transmit the data to ACCE representatives in both a PDF and Excel file format.

Ms. Buttrick reported that HEPC Commission member Mr. David K. Hendrickson had requested meeting schedules for faculty, classified employees and students. She advised the members that Mr. Hendrickson will Chair the HEPC Master Plan Committee and may be interested in attending meetings of the above groups in order to seek input as it relates to the Master Plan.

In connection with the grievance process Ms. Buttrick reported the Grievance Board implemented the Grievance Rule. She informed members that approximately 500 grievances are in abeyance and hearings will be scheduled on those grievances.

Other items of interest that were reported by Ms. Buttrick included the announcement that various HEPC Commission reports are scheduled for presentation at the legislative interim committee meetings on January 6, 7, and 8th, Save the Day Card-Women’s Day at the Legislature on February 6th and Higher Education Day at the Legislature on February 28th. In addition, the CCTCE Board is to meet on the morning of January 25th at the Marriott in Charleston with the HEPC Commission meeting that afternoon at the Cultural Center Auditorium at the Capitol.

On the issue of the Personnel Study she reported the issuance of the Market Study Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected in January and that three new committees have been created, Reduction in Force Committee chaired by Mr. Bruce Walker, General Counsel at the HEPC, the Outsourcing Committee chaired by Ms. Nichelle Perkins and the Best Practices in Human Resources Committee chaired by Ms. Buttrick.

ANNUAL RETREAT UPDATE

A discussion ensued on the issues of agenda, invitees etc. The preferred date that was approved at the November meeting was July 13, 14, and 15.

NEW BUSINESS

PRESENTATION TO LOCEA

With ACCE to present at the January meeting of LOCEA a discussion occurred as to items to be addressed. Mr. William Porterfield from West Virginia State University suggested the full funding of the current classified schedule as well as concerns related to the new Grievance process-discovery, inequities between claimant and defendant and timelines placed on claimant. Members reviewed the presentation given by ACCE to the HEPC Commission. Modifications were incorporated with final responsibility assigned to Chairperson, Mr. Wycherley to review the revised product and make any needed changes.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

BROCHURE

Mr. Wycherley initiated a discussion relative to the items to be placed in ACCE Legislative brochure. Mr. Long reported on the three items that ACCE had approved at the meeting in Lewisburg. The items consisted of increased funding for higher education with a companion issue of 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, retirement contribution-equalization of contribution with other state employees and right to serve in legislature. Mr. Paul Martinelli from West Virginia University distributed a copy of the West Virginia University Classified Employees 2008 Legislative Brochure. Members reviewed the brochure and the consensus of members was that ACCE could support the WVU agenda items as they were consistent with the issues approved by ACCE.

Mr. Sid Cooper from West Virginia University Institute of Technology raised the issue of the ACCE bookmark. He reported no responses had been received to his recent e-mail notice on the issue. A discussion took place as it related to the proposed items that Mr. Cooper had listed on the bookmark. Those items were (1) Provide Retirement Contribution Equity, (2) Curtail “cost-shifting” on Health Care Legacy Costs and (3) Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Institutional Accountability. After a lengthy discussion Mr. Paul Martinelli from West Virginia University made a motion to accept the Primary Legislative Priorities for the ACCE bookmark that Mr. Cooper had proposed. Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College seconded the motion and the motion was approved. Members approved the go ahead for Mr. Cooper to handle the process of printing and distributing the bookmarks.

OLD BUSINESS

An issue was raised as to the requirement of advertising for non-classified positions. It was stated that no rule exists that requires an institution to advertise for non-classified positions.

There being no further business to come before the members, Mr. Robert E. Long from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 12:20 pm.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

Robert E. Long, Secretary

APPROVED MINUTES ON JANUARY 10, 2008