Minutes of ACCE Meeting
February 12, 2008
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Charleston, 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
Dennis Mitchell, Fairmont State University
Mary Alltop, Glenville State 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
Deborah Cruse, Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Kenneth Harbaugh, Shepherd University
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
Johnna Beane, West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Charleston Division
Excused:
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
Lisa Penix, Marshall Community and Technical College
Mary Ann Edwards, West Liberty State College
Timothy Beardsley, West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Sid Cooper, West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Unexcused:
Janene Seacrist, Council for Community and Technical College Education
J. Christopher Gray, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Lee Ann Porterfield, West Virginia State Community and Technical College
Guests:
Dennis Taylor, Vice Chancellor for Administration at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Council for Community and Technical College Education
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 9:15 am. Mr. Wycherley welcomed Mr. Dennis Mitchell, the new ACCE representative from Fairmont State University. He proceeded to the first order of business on the agenda, the approval of the minutes from the January meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY MINUTES
Mr. Robert E. Long, Secretary from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, distributed copies of the draft minutes from the January meeting that was held at West Virginia State Community and Technical College. He reported that an earlier draft of the minutes had been distributed via the ACCE LISTSERV on February 6, 2008. As a result of input from the membership, the current draft reflects the suggested changes that were submitted. Mr. Paul Martinelli from West Virginia University made a motion for approval of the minutes. Mr. Fred Hardee from Bluefield State College seconded the motion.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
REPORT FROM MR. DENNIS TAYLOR, VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ADMINISTRATION AT HEPC/CCTCE
Mr. Wycherley introduced Mr. Taylor who began his report by distributing the following:
Mr. Taylor indicated three bills of significance to higher education needed to be closely followed by ACCE members. One bill is sponsored by Senator Robert Plymale, Chairman, Senate Education Committee and two bills are sponsored by the Governor. Mr. Taylor addressed the key components of the three bills.
Senate Bill 595 Vision 2020. Bill creates an Education Blueprint for the year 2020 by establishing goals and objectives for K-12 and higher education with emphasis on accountability. HEPC and CCTCE are to propose rules to address accountability. New strategy for capital funding and issue of retention are to be addressed. Other provisions consist of:
House Bill 4130 and Senate Bill 287 Establishing West Virginia Research Trust Fund-"Bucks for Jobs." $50 million of one-time funds allocated between West Virginia University and Marshall University. The former would receive 70 percent and the latter 30 percent. Each institution would be required to raise matching funds dollar for dollar. Funds would be used for targeted research projects and faculty that will attract venture capital for future jobs in emerging high-tech, high-wage industries.
Mr. Taylor indicated the likelihood of the submission of a Community and Technical College Bonding Bill. The proposed bill is awaiting an assigned bill number. The bonding level is expected to be in the range of 75 to 80 million. An additional 30 million is incorporated in the Governor's budget for the creation of several state-of-the-art advanced technical centers. He indicated another bill may be introduced that would provide total independency to the community and technical colleges along with independent governing boards.
House Bill 4375 and Senate Bill 564 Tuition and Fee Waiver. Bill enables institutions to award fee waivers for staff, spouses, faculty and dependents without impacting the 5 percent cap.
House Bill 3215 Removing Administrative Link between Shepherd University and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Bill will enable Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to become a free-standing institution. Bill has passed House and currently is in Senate Education Committee.
Promise Rule Bill has passed House and is now on Governor's desk.
Three bills moved out of House Education Committee and are now in House Finance Committee.
House Bill 4033 and Senate Bill 213 Requiring Promise Scholarship Repayments under Certain Conditions. Bill requires Promise Board to develop rule for repayment of Promise award should recipients work outside of state after graduation. PS: Governor has withdrawn bills and instead has created a committee to be headed by HEPC Chancellor, Brian Noland, to study the issue.
House Bill 4159 and Senate Bill 199 Rescinding Student Aid for Certain Alcohol Violations. Bill cancels state financial aid for recipients who receive two or more citations for illegal possession or consumption of alcohol.
House Bill 4034 and Senate Bill 476 Allowing Certain State Employees Payment for Unused Sick Leave Days. Bill permits state employees to cash in accrued sick leave days or lump sum payment for unused annual days.
House Bill 2995 and Senate Bill 69 Increasing the Annual Increment Pay for State Employees. Bill increases annual increment pay from $50 to $75 or $100.
Mr. Wycherley asked about clean-up provisions on the Grievance Statute as he had received a notice that clean-up language was being developed. Mr. Taylor reported that no language had as yet been presented.
Senate Joint Resolution 1 Fair and Equal Citizenship Amendment. Bill amends State Constitution to permit most state employees to serve in Legislature. Mr. Taylor indicated that he continues to consider the issue to be constitutional rather than legislative. He also advised members to closely monitor the progress of legislation to permit teachers to return to the old Defined Retirement Plan, and should it be approved, any allocated resources directed to the plan. Such committed funding is likely to reduce funding for higher education projects.
Mr. Long asked Mr. Taylor about the status of the proposed changes in the awarding criteria for the state need-based grant program that he had earlier reported. Mr. Taylor stated that unless a significant funding increase occurred that the current position was to maintain the current awarding criteria for 2008-2009. Those students who are Pell eligible would see no change whereas the possibility exists of implementing a tiered award system for students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) above the Pell award scale.
LIAISON REPORT FROM MS. MARGARET BUTTRICK, HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION
Mr. Wycherley introduced Ms. Buttrick to the members. He advised Ms. Buttrick of the attendance of the new ACCE member, Mr. Dennis Mitchell from Fairmont State University. Ms. Buttrick opened her session by distributing copies of the Classified Salary Report that was generated from fall data. She indicated that she would distribute an electronic version via the ACCE LISTSERV and that the total salary figure is obtained by adding base salary to the increment amount. Employees must be classified a .53 FTE or higher to be reported.
Ms. Buttrick also reported on the fiscal note that was provided on the issue of increasing the retirement contribution from 6 percent to 7.5 percent. Another report that she addressed was the Salary Funding By Category Of Employee and Funding Source requested by Delegate Brady Paxton. The final piece of material that Ms. Buttrick distributed was the revised listing of the ACCE membership.
Ms. Buttrick moved to the next topic which was the Personnel Study. She reported that a number of committees had met over the past several weeks. On the issue of the Market Study (RFP) she stated the RFP had still not been released. She indicated that Mr. Rich Donovan, Interim Co-Director of Finance and Facilities at HEPC, was currently reviewing the document and once he completed his review the document would be released. Questions were raised by members as to the consequences of the delay. Ms. Pitzer indicated that she would contact Ms. Nichelle Perkins, Coordinator, Personnel Study, relative to the delay in its issuance as the only remaining task was of an administrative nature. On a related issue Ms. Buttrick reported that the Eight Steps to Change Web Page has been released and can be accessed at www.wveightsteps.org. She reported that Ms. Nancy Taylor from HEPC was responsible for the Web Page activity. Finally, she stated that an additional committee, technology, will be created.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
BROCHURE
Mr. Kenneth Harbaugh from Shepherd University reported on the items in the ACCE legislative brochure. He mentioned the proposed increment pay bills that would increase the amount from $50 to $75 or $100. (House Bill 2995 and Senate Bill 69) He mentioned Senate Bill 595 Vision 2020 that creates an Education Blueprint for K-12 and higher education. Another important item for ACCE that he discussed was tuition waivers for staff and faculty. (House bill 4375 and Senate Bill 564)
Mr. Harbaugh encouraged members to follow House Bill 3215 that removes the administrative link between Shepherd University and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Passage of bill will make the latter an independent community and technical college. He surmises that such bill could be amended in the waning hours to incorporate other administratively linked community and technical colleges. With proposed changes to Chapter 18B Higher Education he recommended a similar following by members. With the distribution of the report on the cost of increasing the retirement contribution from 6 percent to 7.5 percent and the bills increasing the increment pay he once again brought up the issue of the major funding priority of ACCE. Three funding items were discussed:
The consensus of the membership was to support full funding of the salary schedule.
Mr. Harbaugh encouraged members to be present on Thursday, February 28th for higher education day at the capitol. He reminded members of the importance of scheduling meetings with their elected representatives. Finally, he complimented the staff at West Virginia State University for their work in scheduling the recent meeting on campus with their local representatives.
Ms. Amy Pitzer from Concord University reported on a couple of items. She reported that she will soon be distributing the ACCE Legislative Brochure and will be distributing the ACCE book marks to the capitol for distribution to legislators this afternoon.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND UPDATES
Ms Beverly Jones from Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University and Ms. Mary Alltop from Glenville State College reported on the 2008 Annual Planning Retreat. Ms. Jones reported that the committee has contacted Blennerhassett Hotel and several other facilities. She stated that the committee would present a report on the variable costs of each facility at the next meeting. She also reported on contacting the Governor's Office and Delegate Mary Poling, Chairperson, House Education Committee on their availability to attend.
NEW BUSINESS
It was reported that the House Government Organizational Committee would be reviewing the grievance legislation for possible modifications. There being no further business to come before the members, Ms Deborah Cruse from Potomac State College of West Virginia University made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Mary M. Igo from New River Community and Technical College seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 12:15 pm.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Robert E. Long, Secretary
APPROVED MINUTES ON MARCH 7, 2008