Minutes of ACCE Meeting
January 10, 2008
West Virginia State Community and Technical College
Institute, 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
Adrian Lawson, Marshall University (proxy)
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
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
Johnna Beane, West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Charleston Division
Excused:
Ellen L. Moore, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Cathy Stevenson, Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Mary Alltop, Glenville State College
Lisa Penix, Marshall Community and Technical College
Mary M. Igo, New River Community and Technical College
Unexcused:
Janene Seacrist, Council for Community and Technical College
Larry Bloom, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Vacancy, Fairmont State University
J. Christopher Gray, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Evonne Masters, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Timothy Beardsley, West Virginia University at Parkersburg
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 9:38 am. He immediately moved to the presentation of the November and December minutes.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MINUTES
Mr. Wycherley moved for a formal motion to approve the November minutes. The minutes had to be carried forward from the December meeting as those minutes could not be formally approved last month due to the lack of a quorum. Mr. Paul Martinelli from West Virginia University made a motion to approve the November minutes. Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Mr. Robert E. Long, Secretary from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, distributed copies of the draft minutes from the December meeting that was held at the Marshall University Graduate College. He reported that the draft minutes had been earlier distributed via the ACCE LISTSERV on January 2, 2008. As a result of input from the membership, the current draft reflects the suggested changes that were submitted. Mr. Martinelli from West Virginia University made a motion for approval of the minutes. Ms. Lee Ann Porterfield from West Virginia State Community and Technical College seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
DISCUSSION OF THE GOVERNOR’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND PROPOSED HIGHER EDUCATION INITIATIVES
Mr. Wycherley initiated a discussion of the Governor’s State of the State Address as it related to higher education. The following issues were mentioned by the Governor.
LIAISON REPORT FROM MS. MARGARET BUTTRICK, HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION
Mr. Wycherley introduced Ms. Buttrick to the members. She reported that HEPC has received a copy of the Governor’s Proposed FY 2009 Budget for Higher Education and the document does include a 3 percent salary increase for employees. However, the budget does not provide funds to cover salary increases for those employees paid from tuition and fee dollars or from non-appropriated accounts. She stated that language in the budget bill will likely address the method for distributing the salary increases-across the board raises or placed in classified salary schedule with decision rendered by boards based on approved salary policies.
Ms. Buttrick advised the members that the Comprehensive Salary Report remains incomplete. She assured the members that she would distribute an electronic report once it is finalized. Ms. Beverly Jones from Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University advised Ms. Buttrick that the reported figures for Fairmont State University on Faculty, Classified Staff and Non-Classified Staff Salary Increases By Institution for Fiscal Year 2008 report that was distributed at the December ACCE meeting were incorrect. Ms. Jones indicated that her current salary brings her to the 92 percent level and that there is no way the reported 97 percent average was possible. Ms. Buttrick indicated the reported data were supplied by the institution and suggested Ms. Jones report the findings to the appropriate campus official.
Ms Buttrick informed the members that the Classified Salary Report is still not ready to be presented to the Legislature. Ms. Amy Pitzer from Concord University requested a current cost estimate on the Retirement Equity Contribution. Ms. Buttrick agreed to such request and will report the results to ACCE.
Ms. Buttrick stated that Mr. Bruce Walker, General Counsel at HEPC, will once again generate a weekly report on legislative bills and that she would forward the weekly report to ACCE representatives. She advised members that two interns will be working at the agency during the legislative session. They are Mr. Shane Miller, a graduate student at West Virginia University, who will cover the Senate and Mr. Josh Miller, a student at West Virginia State University, who will cover the House of Delegates. Ms. Buttrick highlighted the major issues of the Governor’s State of the State Address as it related to higher education. Her items were identical to the items that the members had mentioned during an earlier discussion on the subject. She also reported that HEPC is expected to appear before the House and Senate budget committees over the next several weeks to present its budget request.
Ms. Buttrick advised members of the recent notification that was sent relative to the Job Evaluation Plan Document that involved revisions to the Point Factor Methodology. Such review is part of the Personnel Study. She encouraged members to review the revisions and submit their comments to Ms. Nichelle Perkins, Coordinator, Personnel Study. She also reported that the Market Study RFP has not as yet been released and corrected the ACCE reported information from last month relative to chairs of several new committees. Ms. Nichelle Perkins is chair of the Outsourcing Committee not Chancellor Brian Noland and Ms Buttrick is chair of the Best Practices Committee. She stated that the Best Practices Committee will be reviewing the data elements for the Board Report. Ms. Pitzer raised concerns about Human Resources Administrators having to report to Chief Fiscal Officers in higher education and suggested the Best Practices Committee consider the reporting responsibilities of Human Resources personnel. Ms. Pitzer also suggested incorporating a best practice of conducting exit interviews of employees when leaving to determine the reason(s) for leaving. Ms. Buttrick reported that Marshall University will be releasing an RFP for comprehensive background checks and it is her understanding that the university will permit other institutions to participate. She also indicated that Ms. Nancy Taylor from HEPC is still working on the Personnel Study web page-Eight Steps. Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University made a motion requesting the chair of ACCE to draft a letter for the purpose of obtaining an interpretation from the Higher Education Policy Commission as to whether higher education employees have the right to serve in the Legislature. Mr. Paul Martinelli from West Virginia University seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Ms. Buttrick advised the members that clean-up language in the grievance procedures may be addressed in the 2008 legislative session. Mr. Harbaugh suggested that ACCE support the concept of Human Resources Administrators’ placement for reporting purposes be under the Administration rather than under Chief Fiscal Officers.
The issue of the proposed 3 percent salary increase for employees was raised and ACCE’s position on that issue. Ms. Pitzer suggested that the funds be placed in the Classified Salary Schedule and distributed accordingly. A question was raised as to what happens at those institutions that have already fully funded the schedule. Another commenter suggested encouraging the Governor to insert language in the budget bill that mandates raises become effective on July 1.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
BROCHURE
Mr. Sid Cooper from West Virginia University Institute of Technology reported that ACCE’s current year legislative priorities are consistent with last year and thus, similar language can be used. Based on his comparison of the priorities listed in the legislative brochure produced by West Virginia University with that of ACCE, there are similarities which would allow ACCE to support such priorities.
On the issue of the Retirement Equity Contribution there was consensus among members that the employer contribution should be raised from 6 percent to 7.5 percent.
On the issue of Equal Citizenship there was consensus that a letter should be transmitted to HEPC requesting an interpretation as to whether higher education employees can serve in the Legislature. Mr. Long reminded the members of the approved language changes that occurred at the December meeting.
On full funding of the Classified Salary Schedule there was consensus that funding the schedule be met by July 1, 2009 and salary increases take effect on July 1.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND UPDATES
Ms. Beverly Jones from Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University reported on the Annual Planning Retreat. She reported that the committee continues to assess cost figures from the potential facilities as well as working on agenda and invitees. She indicated the committee plans to present numbers, figures, draft agenda and potential invitees at the next meeting. One member suggested that the committee contact HEPC on the issue of assisting in covering the Retreat costs. Suggested invitees were gubernatorial candidates, House and Senate Education Chairs and House and Senate Finance Chairs.
OLD BUSINESS
PERSONNEL STUDY UPDATE
Ms. Pitzer encouraged members to review the Job Evaluation Plan Document-Point Factor Methodology and submit comments to Ms. Nichelle Perkins, Coordinator, Personnel Study. She also suggested that members submit those modifications to her as well. Mr. Long commented that he had reviewed the document and was pleased with the added clarification and the inclusion of .5 point.
GRIEVANCE SYSTEM ISSUES
In view of Ms Buttrick’s statement that clean-up language in the grievance statute is anticipated during the upcoming legislative session a discussion on areas of improvement was addressed. The discovery phase was reported as a major concern as only the employee is required to provide documentation at initial filing. Other concerns focused on representation, a private sector person representing public higher education employees, location of hearings in that they will no longer take place within the local area, backlog of unresolved cases and time limit placed on employee but not on institution.
NEW BUSINESS
CAMPUS ISSUES AND CONCERNS
Mr. Harbaugh raised an issue within the Personnel Study dealing with regular part-time employees. His concern is for those regular part- time employees who continuously work a full twelve month calendar year and are only granted a .53 FTE for years of service. In his mind those employees are very valuable to the institution and should be granted one year of service for such work.
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. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 3:02 pm.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Robert E. Long, Secretary
APPROVED MINUTES ON FEBRUARY 12, 2008