WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors
November 14, 2005
Conference Rooms 2536-2538
8:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Board of Advisors Chairperson, Joe Campbell. Those present were: Joe Campbell, Senior Vice President Wes Banco; Tony Playtis, Environmental Health Coordinator E.I. Dupont; Gregory Smith, President Blue Cross/Blue Shield; James Hayhurst, Jr. Executive Vice President United National Bank; Joyce Okes, Program Coordinator Workforce Investment; Jim Mylott, Executive Director Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council; Cindy Kelley, Faculty Representative; Violet Mosser, Staff Representative; David Cumberledge, Student Representative; Marie Foster Gnage, President WVU Parkersburg, and Patsy Bee Executive Secretary to the President.
Absent were: Robert D’Avria, Consultant YMCA of the USA; Linda Dickirson, Jackson County Representative; George Kellenberger, Chamber of Commerce President; Curtis Miller, President Curtis Miller Insurance Agency, Inc.; William Niday, Superintendent Wood County Schools; and Trudy Seita, Consultant/Trainer, Motivation & Volunteerism.
Call to Order
Mr. Campbell called the meeting to order and introduced special guests James Skidmore, Chancellor for Community and Technical College System of West Virginia (CTCS), and Greg Smith, council member for the WV Council for Community and Technical Colleges.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Board meeting held on August 8, 2005 was approved upon a motion by Mr. Hayhurst and second by Mr. Mylott.
WV Council for Community and Technical College Education
Chancellor Skidmore provided Board members copies of the CTCS Legislative Budget Agenda and Initiatives for 2006-2007 in its efforts to move West Virginia forward through high-quality community and technical college education. He noted that the first priority on this year’s agenda is peer equity funding. The CTCS proposes an increase in Peer Equity funding for community and technical college education by $3,000,000. This increased funding would enhance delivery of comprehensive community and technical college education; increase access entry points into higher education; increase ability to delivery high-cost career-technical programs; sustain program delivery; and provide incentives for enrollment growth. Additional information was presented that showed the estimated impact of peer equity allocations on CTC base budgets with a five year funding plan from 2007 – 2011 at $3 million per year.
The second priority on the agenda is $2,000,000 to upgrade science and technology laboratories to assist in keeping labs current to provide academic support courses for allied health and technology programs; assist in meeting demand of “equipment” intensive” technical programs; and expand capacity to deliver high-cost, high demand programs that advance the State’s economy. Laboratory/Equipment upgrades for WVU Parkersburg would be $151,700.
The third priority is workforce development initiative in the amount of $1,000,000 to enhance the capacity of community and technical colleges to deliver programs meeting employer needs; provide start-up funding for programs; and connect community and technical colleges and economic development.
The fourth priority would be for tuition reduction in the amount of $1,500,000 which would increase access to higher education by making community and technical college education more affordable; reduce tuition gap between administratively-linked and freestanding community and technical colleges; and move administratively-linked community and technical colleges closer to national average tuition rates for community and technical colleges. He explained that since WVUP is not an administratively-linked community college it would not be affected by the tuition reduction.
The CTCS is also proposing $2,400,000 in staff and salary increases for next year to retain quality faculty and staff; provide merit for deserving faculty; and address classified staff salary schedule. He noted this is based on $2,000 per FTE employee and includes faculty experience increment.
A question/answer session followed with comments regarding the escalating costs of the Promise Scholarships. Chancellor Skidmore reported that there have been discussions on increasing eligibility requirements and possibly capping the award. There was considerable discussion regarding the great need for WVU Parkersburg to increase tuition in order to meet the educational needs of the students. It was noted that WVU Parkersburg has the second lowest tuition rate in the state. It was also noted that the cost to repair the classroom tower came in $400,000 over bid and now WVUP will now have to borrow the money to pay the extra cost or go back to the HEPC and request additional funding. Several Board members expressed concern that WVU Parkersburg was not able to receive a 2% tuition increase last year. After some discussion Ms. Okes made a motion not to support Priority Number 4 on the CTC Legislative Budget Agenda for 2006-2007 for tuition reduction for administratively-linked community and technical colleges in the amount of $1,500,000 if WVU Parkersburg cannot increase tuition. Mr. Mylott seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Chancellor Skidmore thanked Board members for their time and interest in higher education, and requested they contact local legislators for their support.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Campbell congratulated Mr. Smith on his recent appointment to the WV Council for Community and Technical College Education. He also thanked Dr. David Bell, Dean for Corporate and Community Education for his leadership and support of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and Pam Braden for her many years of service to WVUP and serving as Director of the Jackson County Center.
President’s Report
President Gnage provided her report to the Board noting many accomplishments for Fall 2005 with increased enrollment with 2.3% increase in FTE and 1.3% increase in Headcount; She reported on visits to the campus from First Lady Gayle Manchin and Secretary of State Betty Ireland. She also noted that the campus hosted Appalachian Heritage Day; student held events and activities such as “Support the Troops” week; and the Performing Arts series. CIT faculty and students participated in hurricane relief efforts in New Orleans; one of WVUP’s nursing students was crowned Miss West Virginia USA; and another student had an article published in Wonderful West Virginia. President Gnage reported that faculty and staff continue to work towards achieving the vision and mission for the institution as the Strategic Plan is implemented. She reported on the Strategic Plan Goals in the areas of Recruitment and Retention, Enrollment Management, Technology, Environment and Resource Development (See President’s Report).
President Gnage thanked Dr. Bell for his service to WVU Parkersburg. She invited Board members to several activities being held on campus in the next few weeks, and a special invitation to attend a dinner tomorrow evening held in honor of His Excellency Mahamoud Adam Bechir, Ambassador to the United States, Candad and Mexico from Chad Africa.
Wayne Riley provided a facilities projects update noting that the Bid opening was held in October for the classroom tower and the bid came in significantly higher than expected. The project is generally on time with construction of fences to be installed in mid-December. Bid was awarded for the cooling tower and it is scheduled to be delivered on December 1 and will be installed during Christmas break. Bids on the Theatre HVAC are scheduled for December. Roofing upgrades are also scheduled for bid in December for WVUP main campus and JCC.
Committee Reports
Education Programs and Services. Dr. Badgley reported on behalf of the Education Programs and Service Committee that Pam Braden, Director of the Jackson County Center would be leaving her position at the end of this semester to return to faculty position. There will be two programs for the Board to approve at their meeting in February. One will be the certificate program for Emergency Response that will be added to the high school program for certification in fire/hazardous material/emergency medical technology. The second program will be the Bachelors in Applied Science Degree in Business Technology.
Resource Development. Mr. Simpkin reported that the committee has not met.
Campus Improvement and Development. President Gnage reported that the committee met at noon on October 28. Many of the issues discussed were reported in her report to the Board. The committee also reviewed where the college is with the Facilities Master Plan. It is hoped that the plan will be completed by early next year. Mr. White noted that many of the projects that were reported and managed by Mr. Riley saved the college nearly $50,000.
Other Business and General Discussion
Mr. Campbell asked Board members to think about a Board Retreat for the member to meet for an afternoon sometime between the middle of December and middle of January. Some dates will be sent to the group for consideration.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors is scheduled for Monday, February 13, 2006 at 8:00 a.m.
Adjournment
With no further business to be discussed, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Patsy J. Bee
Executive Secretary to the President
____________________________
Joe Campbell, Chair
Board of Advisors