WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors

February 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; William Niday, Superintendent Wood County Schools, Tony Playtis, Environmental Health Coordinator E.I. Dupont; Linda Dickirson, Jackson County Representative; Michael Hastings, General Manager Benson International; Joyce Okes, Program Coordinator Workforce Investment; Greg Smith, President Blue Cross/Blue Shield; James Hayhurst, Jr. Executive Vice President United National Bank; Trudy Seita, Consultant/Trainer, Motivation & Volunteerism; Jim Mylott, Executive Director Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council; George Kellenberger, Chamber of Commerce President;  Cindy Kelley, Faculty Representative; Violet Mosser, Staff Representative; Marie Foster Gnage, President WVU Parkersburg, and Patsy Bee Executive Secretary to the President.

Those absent were: Robert D’Avria, Consultant YMCA of the USA; and Kelli Barton, Student Representative. 

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Board meeting held on November 15, 2004 was approved upon a motion by Mr. Kellenberger and second by Mrs. Dickirson.

President’s Report

Presentations:

The Impact of West Virginia University at Parkersburg on Local Economy.  Sy Sarkarat, Chairperson of the Business and Economics Division provided a power point presentation on his study showing the total economic impact of WVU Parkersburg on the local economy is in excess of $68 million.  Chairman Campbell thanked Dr. Sarkarat for his presentation and requested that copies of the report be made available to our state officials.  President Gnage noted that the report has been shared with Education Committee members Senator Boley and Senator Plymale, but that it would also be shared with other local legislators.

Update on Classroom Tower.  Wayne Riley, Director of Purchasing and liaison with West Virginia University on the repairs to the classroom tower, provided an update and explained that the entire visual of our building will be changed with the three story tower refaced with a smoked glass front.  He noted that repairs should begin in September of 2005, and should be completed by September of 2006.  Other changes to the front of the building include the removal of the canopy between the two entrances, and landscaping will be incorporated.  Mr. Riley presented Board members with the architects first rendering showing the new visual appearance for the front of the building.  President Gnage added the building would receive the necessary stabilization plus a nice appearance, and there would be no additional cost to the college.

Report to WVU Board of Governors.  President Gnage provided Board members with a copy of her presentation to the WVU Board of Governors this past week and highlighted the following:

• The Elements of Distinction in the report show that WVUP is WVU’s largest regional campus and the sixth largest state public higher education institution in enrollment.
• WVUP is the only community college in West Virginia accredited to offer baccalaureate programs, and WVUP is one of 15 public institutions nationwide classified as a Baccalaureate/Associate College by the Carnegie Foundation.
• WVUP celebrated its 15^th year as a regional campus of WVU.
• WVUP recorded its largest fall enrollment headcount in 11 years and its largest fall full-time equivalency (FTE) rate in the last 29 years.
• WVUP’s greatest accomplishment this year has been the Strategic Plan, and it was praised by the WVU Board of Governors for being brief and concise.   The vision statement was revised to indicate that WVUP will be the regional college of choice as a student-center, accessible learning community, dedicated to excellence in teaching and service, guided by shared values and principles, and committed to exceeding student and workforce development expectations.
• Values let students know our expectations which include integrity, respect, inclusiveness, partnerships and creativity and innovation.
• Reviewed the process for developing the strategic plan and the strategic plan goals.
• Reviewed Presidential goals for 2004-05 and Challenges/Opportunities for WVUP Parkersburg.

WVUP Presidential Inauguration.  Connie Dziagwa, Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations reported that an entire week of pre-inaugural events have been scheduled beginning on March 28 with a presentation on the “Birth and Development of the College and its Impact on the Mid-Ohio Valley,” by Dr. Bernard Allen, WVU Parkersburg Professor Emeritus of History.  This event will take place at the Parkersburg Art Center.  On Tuesday, there will be a College Open House.  On Wednesday, the Humanities Division is sponsoring “Chicken Soup for the College President’s Soul,” and the Jackson County Center will hold a reception in her honor. On Thursday the students will sponsor a Luau providing lunch and music.  On Friday, the Foundation will sponsor a reception at the Blennerhassett Hotel.  The inauguration will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception.  There will be an Inauguration Gala with Wine and Cheese Reception and Dinner Dance held that evening at the Caperton Center beginning at 7:00 p.m.  President Gnage asked Board members for their assistance in helping the college find sponsors for each of these events noting that the inauguration is an important event for the college and the community.

Committee Reports

Education Program and Services Committee.  Dr. Badgley reported the following on behalf of the Education Programs and Services Committee:

• Compacts will need to be submitted by March 15.  He explained that the reporting of goals for the Compacts that are submitted each year began several years ago with the passage of legislation under SB653, and goals were to be completed by 2006.  Of the 13 specific goals required, WVUP had completed 10 by last year.  With new legislation developed last year under HB2224 a new Compact will need to be submitted with goals through 2010.  There is also a new Compact that needed to be developed and submitted next month for the Mid-Ohio Valley Community and Technical College Consortium.
• Collaboration with PRT Center in St. Marys.  The PRT is expanding its welding program through WVUP, and we may also be able to revitalize our automotive technology program though the PRT as well.  We currently have a reciprocity agreement for this program with Washington State Community College.
• Multi-Craft Technician Program that Board members will vote on today is a program to meet the workforce development needs of the geographic area serviced by WVUP.  It is designed for the first two years of a collegiate educational process that culminates in an associate in applied science degree.  This program is designed as a 2+2 degree in which high school students may transfer skill based courses into the program.
• WVUP is looking at the Wood County Schools Emergency Seminar on First Responses Program as a possible certificate program.
• In the recent NCA report, an area of concern addressed the coming “brain drain” with senior faculty beginning to retire.  This week ads were placed for seven positions due to the retirement of long time faculty members.  Mr. Campbell asked if any problems were anticipated in replacing the positions.  Dr. Badgley noted that a national search will be conducted and we should receive several qualified applications.

Resource Development Committee.  Connie Dzigwa reported in the absence of facilitator and Chief Financial Officer, Jack Simpkin.  Ms. Dziagwa reported that the committee met last week and reviewed the current finance status.  She noted that last year colleges received a 5.91% decrease in state funding.  Even though WVUP received 4.75 increase in tuition, the college is still experiencing a loss unless funds are replaced.

Campus Improvement Committee.  President Gnage serves as facilitator for this group and reported that an interior designer and planner from WVU have visited our campus to review the types of improvements we can make with carpet and furniture in our student activity area, hallways, classrooms and faculty offices.  The college can expect some remodeling through the end of this year.  WVUP will also be working with the landscape architects from WVU on recommendations for improving the landscaping around the college.

Information Items

Honorary Degree.  Major General Allen E. Tackett was recommended by the Honorary Degree Committee, and approved by the WVU Board of Governor to receive an honorary degree from WVU Parkersburg.

RBA – Intent to Plan.  Dr. Badgley explained that this is an adult degree program that has been offered by WVU since 1997.  The delivery of the program and all the portfolio work has been done on our campus, and there have been 301 graduates from this program.  President Gnage and Provost Lang discussed the possibility of WVUP delivering the Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree as our own program, and it was recommended that WVUP submit a proposal.  (See Intent to Plan Proposal.)

Action Items

Multi-Craft Technology Associate in Applied Science.  After some discussion and additional information provided by Dr. Badgley regarding this program, a motion was made by Mr. Mylott to approve the new program.  Mr. Hayhurst seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Meeting Schedule.  Board members reviewed proposed schedule for remainder of this year.  Mr. Kellenberger proposed that meetings begin at 7:30 a.m. rather than 8:00 a.m.   Chairman Campbell asked Board members to email their preference of meeting times to Patsy Bee and the majority of members responding will determine the time for meetings to begin.

Other Business and General Discussion

• WVU Board of Governors approved the suspension of the Paramedic Science program.
• There was discussion regarding the possibility of a Teller Certificate.  David Bell, Jim Hayhurst and George Kellenberger will meet with Business Division Chair Sy Sarkarat to discuss the possibility.

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