WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors

August 8, 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; Linda Dickirson, Jackson County Representative; Tony Playtis, Environmental Health Coordinator E.I. Dupont; Curtis Miller, President Curtis Miller Insurance Agency, Inc.; James Hayhurst, Jr. Executive Vice President United National Bank; Jim Mylott, Executive Director Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council; Robert D’Avria, Consultant YMCA of the USA; 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: George Kellenberger, Chamber of Commerce President; Gregory Smith, President Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Joyce Okes, Program Coordinator Workforce Investment; William Niday, Superintendent Wood County Schools; and Trudy Seita, Consultant/Trainer, Motivation & Volunteerism.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Board meeting held on May 9, 2005 was approved upon a motion by Mr. Hayhurst and second by Mr. Mylott.

Chairman’s Report

Chairman Campbell introduced new Board members Curtis Miller, President of Curtis Miller Insurance Agency, Inc., and David Cumberledge, Student Representative.  He noted that they would be assigned to committees.  Mr. Campbell welcomed the new members to the Board and informed them that they would be assigned to a Board committee.

President’s Report

President Gnage provided her report to the Board noting that she celebrated her first year anniversary at WVU Parkersburg on July 1, and noted that her goal is still the same: “to provide the leadership to make a great institution greater.”

President Gnage also reported on progress on the Strategic Plan goals that were presented to Board members last year:

Recruitment and Retention of Faculty and Staff

• We recruited and hired faculty in the following areas:
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Electronics
  • Theatre/Speech
  • Criminal Justice
  • Social Sciences
  • Developmental Education
  • Nursing
  • Accounting
  • Education
• Careful attention is being given to meeting or exceeding goals in our Affirmative Action Plan (paying attention to diversity).  Debbie Richards will now serve as Social Justice Officer tying together both education about diversity and goals.
• A workshop will be held for adjunct faculty on the use of Groupwise.  A reception will precede the workshop.
• Some of the faculty offices are being given “makeover”—paint, carpet, furniture, blinds, with plans to do others next summer if not earlier.
• A special session on salaries will determine how we address faculty and staff salary increases.
• Some staff positions have been/will be upgraded to reflect changes in/acknowledgement of responsibilities.
• The Assistant Director for Facilities and Grounds position was filled:  President Gnage introduced David White who has taken on responsibilities for that area.  David Cunningham will be assigned special projects until his retirement on October 14^th.

Enrollment Management

• The Reciprocity Agreement with Washington State Community College was approved by the Board of Governors, the Community and Technical College Council, the Higher Education Policy Commission, and the Ohio Board of Regents.  The Agreement provides marketing opportunities in that more Ohio counties will have the opportunity to take advantage of the agreement.  Recruitment personnel have been recruiting strongly in Ohio.
• The class schedule will offer more flexibility than last year but we will need to continue to address scheduling to meet the needs of working adults.
• Student Development will be placing greater emphasis on the “First Year” via advising and special programs.
• A Development Education Coordinator was hired this summer.  She will be focusing on encouraging completion of remediation and partnerships with ABE and high schools to decrease the number of students needing remediation.
• Pam Braden’s position description has been revised to focus her time and talent on increasing enrollment at JCC.  She is now Director/Associate Dean for Academic and Student Services.
• The Deans will provide the leadership for the development of an Enrollment Management Plan.  We have a goal of 2% increase each year:  we are working hard to maintain level enrollment this fall.
• The academic dean will develop an Academic Plan that looks at new program possibilities for the next five to ten years.

Technology

• Online registration should be fully implemented in Fall 2005.  Some students had the opportunity to register online for the Fall 2005 semester.
• We continue to look forward to obtaining a system that will allow communication with all of our students.  We are awaiting WVU’s purchase of a system.
• We will be purchasing and installing Web for Faculty which will allow faculty to receive class rosters, submit grade reports, etc., electronically.
• Adjuncts will receive training on Groupwise.
• Telecommunications is now the responsibility of the IT division.
• The Technology Plan is almost complete.

Environment

Campus beautification/improvement has been a particular emphasis this summer.  We will offer a brief tour at the end of the meeting.

• Student Lounge/Activities area has new paint, new carpet, some refurbished furniture—some new furniture should be installed before students return to class.  Maintenance staff, especially Bob Cooper, is to be commended for work on the furniture.  Certainly, we thank and commend the entire maintenance staff and Dave White for their work throughout the college this summer.
• Some faculty offices have been “upgraded.”
• The Industrial Maintenance Lab and the Welding Lab have been upgraded.
• The Learning Center has been moved to first floor and is now a wonderful tutoring and study space.
• A Journalism Lab, a classroom and two offices now occupy some of the area old cafeteria area.
• The college has new flag poles, newly installed.
• Work is being completed on the canopy over the entrance to the Multi-Purpose Center.
• Lockers that “graced” one of the hallways are no more.
• The cooling tower that failed has been repaired; a chiller also needed work.
• Jackson County Center has experienced some painting, renovations, and furniture reupholstering.  Plans are being made for some roof work.
• The Classroom Tower rehab is on schedule.  Wayne Riley will provide an update.
• We continue to work on the Facilities Master Plan and a Safety Plan.

Resource Development

Plans are just plans unless there is funding to support them.  We continue to talk with legislators, the HEPC and the CTCC about the need for an increase in state appropriations.  At the same time, it is important for us to look at grants and partnerships as resource development.  We are planning some development activities and we continue to look for a grant writer.  

President Gnage provided Board members with a chart showing the re-organizational changes regarding areas of responsibility.  She reminded Board members that the college continues to need their support, and asked that they continue to be college’s representatives/liaisons in the community and state, and to use their connections to help WVUP.  She invited Board members to visit the campus often, and she also acknowledged and thanked Mr. Curtis Miller, for demonstrating his commitment to the college by joining the Board. 

Review of Campus Beautification Projects:

David White, Assistant Director of Facilities and Grounds to provided a report to the Board on some costs associated with campus beautification.  These included:

New flag pole and concrete pads                $  2,500

New Ceiling in Canopy outside

Activities Center                                             6,500

Faculty offices, paint, carpet, furniture          31,000

Journalism Lab                                             20,510

Welding Shop                                               65,000

Student Lounge                                            44,000

Learning Center                                            37,350

End of Hall – lockers                                      2,300

President Gnage noted that special coffers, Perkins funding and other grants assisted in covering the cost of many projects.

Update on Classroom Tower Project:

Wayne Riley, Director of Purchasing, presented an update on the classroom tower to Board members noting that the project is still on schedule.  The project is proceeding as follows:

• Design development documents have been received, and they will be reviewing the construction documents. 
• They have selected the color for tile, carpet, paint and stain. 
• The landscaping design has been approved. 
• Bid documents will be sent out later this month or early September to award construction. 
• Initial construction will probably begin in December. 
• There will not be any classroom disruption until the Spring semester. 
• Some additional shifting of the building has occurred because of the dry weather, and Burgess and Niple are monitoring this frequently.

Mr. Riley also reported that the Higher Education Policy Commission funds provided $600,000 for HVAC and roofing upgrades.  Some of this will be used to upgrade the HVAC system in the theatre to take care of mold.    They are reviewing specifications to replace the large cooling tower.   The Jackson County Center will be first priority for roof repairs.  The remaining funds will be used to repair the roof of the faculty wing and the two story section of the college.

Other Business and General Discussion

Board members agreed to the following meeting schedule for the Spring Semester:

                        Monday, February 13, 2006 8:00 a.m.

                        Monday, May 8, 2006 8:00 a.m.

President Gnage noted that our Board of Advisors meetings now have to be announced and agenda registered with the Secretary of State two weeks prior to each meeting. 

Chairman Campbell requested that Public Forum be added as an item to the Agenda.

Campus Tour – Campus Improvements:

President Gnage announced that following the meeting a tour would be available for Board members to visit the areas where campus beautification/improvements have taken place during the summer.

Adjournment

With no further business to be discussed Mr. Hayhurst made a motion to adjourn, Mr. Playtis seconded the motion.  The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m. The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 8:00 a.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Patsy J. Bee

                                                                        Executive Secretary to the President

____________________________

Joe Campbell, Chair

Board of Advisors