WVU at Parkersburg

Board of Advisors

November 12, 2007

The meeting was called to order by Board of Advisors Chairperson, Linda Dickirson. Those present were: Linda Dickirson, Jackson County Representative; James Hayhurst, Jr. Executive Vice President United National Bank; Joe Campbell, Senior Vice President Wes Banco; Tony Playtis, Environmental Health Coordinator E.I. Dupont; Curtis Miller, President Curtis Miller Insurance, Joyce Okes, Program Coordinator Workforce Investment;  Robert D’Avria, Consultant; Ed Crisp, Faculty Representative; Violet Mosser, Staff Representative; Jennifer Hitt, Student Representative; Marie Foster Gnage, President WVU Parkersburg, and Patsy Bee Executive Assistant to the President. 

Absent were: Jim Mylott, Executive Director Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council, William Niday, Superintendent Wood County Schools; Gregory Smith, President Blue Cross/Blue Shield; George Kellenberger, Chamber of Commerce President; and Gerard ElChaar. Sr. Vice President of Operations, Coldwater Creek.

Call to Order

Mrs. Dickirson called the meeting to order and presented the agenda.   Mrs. Dickirson announced that Gerard ElChaar, Sr. Vice President of Operations at Coldwater Creek has been appointed as a new Board member to the WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors.  She also welcomed the new Interim Dean of Students, Dr. Danita Brown, and the new Chief Financial Officer, Elizabeth Baker.  Mrs. Dickirson recognized President Gnage and her administrative staff for all the programs and projects they have undertaken, and she noted that the college is fortunate to have such a strong team. 

Mrs. Dickirson distributed a small index card to each Board member and asked them to write down their response to two questions: “What about WVU Parkersburg are they most proud?” and “What they, as Board members, can do to assist the college?”  Board members may hand in their responses at the end of the meeting, and responses will be discussed at the next meeting.

Mrs. Dickirson announced that a Board orientation for new Board members would be scheduled after the holidays, and all Board members are invited to attend. A date for the orientation will be announced.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Board meeting held on August 13, 2007 was approved upon a motion by Mr. Hayhurst and second by Mr. Miller.

President’s Report

November 12, 2007

--From Marie Foster Gnage, President

Thank you for your support of this college—the faculty, staff and students.  Your support is important to the “good health” of this institution.  I am pleased that the Board of Governors has approved the service of Gerard El Chaar, Senior Vice President of Operations for Coldwater Creek, as our newest member of the Board of Advisors.  

The Executive Staff team for the college now includes four new team members:  Dr. Rhonda Richards, Executive Dean; Dr. Danita Brown, Interim Dean of Students; Elizabeth Baker, CFO; and Mary Beth Busch, Interim Dean for Corporate and Community Education.  Connie Dziagwa, Executive Director for Institutional Advancement, is the senior member of the team.  I think that we will not only be noted as an all female executive team, but we will be known as an effective team.

My report today will include presentations by Dr. Cindy Kelley (the Child Development Center) and Dr. Paul Milhoan (the Advanced Technology Center).  Please listen carefully to the projects being planned as your support is very necessary.  Some of you have been active with us in informing the legislature of both the Community and Technical College (CTC) System/Council and our agenda for the upcoming legislative session.  I have attached the CTC Council agenda which you will note does not include the Child Development Center or the Jackson County Center expansion.  We have held two breakfast meetings with our legislative delegation; one more is scheduled.  Our goal is to ensure that our delegation is knowledgeable enough about us and our needs to advocate effectively.

I want to provide some brief notes/updates on the goals in our strategic plan.

Recruitment and Retention of Faculty and Staff

• The adjunct faculty office is open and ready for use.
• Renovations of office space and classrooms continue.
• An online course on teaching will be offered for new adjunct faculty.
• Academic Affairs and Human Resources held a successful Adjunct Open House.
• A new CFO was hired upon the retirement of Jack Simpkin.

Enrollment Management

• Fall enrollment was not equal to enrollment goal; staff researched reasons.
  • Financial aid technology issues
  • Technology used for registration failed on last day to register for classes.
  • Recruitment in Ohio—more aggressive recruitment needed
  • Changes in Nursing program enrollment
• Recruitment and retention plans are being fine tuned.
• Schedule was “overhauled” for Spring 2008.
• Noncredit offerings/enrollment will be reviewed and strategies identified.

Technology

• WVU Office of Information Technology oversees computer technology.
• We continue to look for ways to communicate more effectively.  Television monitors are located throughout the buildings and are managed by Institutional Advancement (Connie Dziagwa and Dennis Bell).
• We learned that computer technology can fail and we must have a plan to continue operations during those times.

Environment

• Renovations continue:  Academic and Student Services have newly renovated office areas.  The hallway adjacent to the offices is getting an overhaul.
• Thanks to Parkersburg Office Supply’s donation of furniture, the Leadership Center will be a reality.  It is located in the Library.
• The Cabinet continues to do tabletop exercises with emphasis on safety and to fine tune the college’s Safety Plan.
• The college is adhering to recommendations by WVU campus police in it campus police structure and level of coverage.
• WVUP is benefiting from WVU’s contract with Siemens, a company that evaluates energy efficiency, and makes changes to facilities (structural, equipment, etc.) to effect energy savings that are then used to pay for the changes.

Resources

• Successful grants have been written by the Education Division and by the Academic Dean.
• A grant proposal for a health professional career ladder was submitted to the Department of Labor.
• CCE has received a Workforce Advance grant from the CTC to support a safety training program for contractors with chemical companies.

We look forward to your participation on the committees to which you are assigned.  Your input into planning and strategies for funding is invaluable. 

 Dr. Cindy Kelley, Chair of the Education Division, provided an update on the new Child Development Center noting that it will be a model for the state and country.  The WVU Parkersburg Child Development Center will be one-of-a-kind incorporating arts, literacy, music and wellness into programs that will make it a very unique place for children, parents and college students to learn.  The total cost for the Center will be approximately 3.5 million.  President Gnage encourage Board members to support the fund raising efforts for the new Center.

Dr. Paul Milhoan, Chair of Technology Division provided a report on the proposed new Technology Center for WVU Parkersburg.  He explained that the new Center would allow for new growth in the technology area.  The total cost of the project will be about $9 million.  The Legislature is considering providing funding for new technology buildings at each of the community colleges.  A concept paper for the new Center will be sent to Board members for their review.  Board members will also be sent copies of the list of LOCEA members, and the members of the WV Council for Community and Technical Colleges.  President Gnage noted that their support is very important in WVU Parkersburg receiving the funds needed to complete the new facility.

Reports

 

Committees were assigned as follows:

Education Programs and Services Committee:

Board members appointed were: Joyce Okes, Ed Crisp, Bill Niday, Gerard El Chaar, and Jim Hayhurst.  Cabinet support includes: Mary Beth Busch, John Gorrell, Danita Brown, and Rhonda Richards who will serve as facilitator for the committee.

Resource Development Committee:

Board members appointed were: Jim Mylott, Tony Playtis, George Kellenberger, Bob D’Avria, and Violet Mosser.  Cabinet support includes: Connie Dziagwa, Jenny Keup and Elizabeth Baker who will serve as facilitator for the committee.

Campus Improvement and Development Committee:

Board members appointed were: Jennifer Hitt, Greg Smith, Linda Dickirson, Curtis Miller and Joe Campbell.  Cabinet support includes Elizabeth Baker, Dave White and President Marie Foster Gnage who will serve as facilitator for the committee.

Legislative Committee:

Board members appointed were: Linda Dickirson, Joe Campbell, Jim Mylott and George Kellenberger.  Cabinet support includes Rhonda Richards, Connie Dziagwa and President Gnage will serve as facilitator for the committee.

Action Items

The following resolution was presented to the Board for approval:

Resolution to Acknowledge Service to the

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Board of Advisors

November 12, 2007

Whereas Trudy Seita was appointed to the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Advisors in 2000, AND

Whereas Trudy has faithfully served as a member of the Board of Advisors since its

establishment by the West Virginia Legislature, AND

Whereas Trudy’s experience as a nationally-recognized trainer, facilitator and consultant has provided the Board with valuable advice and expertise, AND

Whereas Trudy’s knowledge of and contacts in the Mid-Ohio Valley has contributed to the Board’s ability to create closer connections between higher education and the community, AND

Whereas Trudy has lent her leadership and strategic planning skills to the Board of Advisors.

Be It Resolved that the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Advisors

expresses its appreciation to Trudy for her seven years of dedicated service to the Board, AND

Be It Further Resolved that the WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors commends Trudy for her life-long commitment to community service.

Marie Foster Gnage, Ph.D.                                                    Linda Dickirson

President                                                                                 Chair, WVU Parkersburg

WVU Parkersburg                                                                  Board of  Advisors

Mr. Hayhurst moved to approve the resolution.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion.  The motion was approved. 

General Updates

Executive Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Richards reported that the academic area is finalizing online programs that will be available in the fall of 2008.  They have also been very active in submitting grants this semester.  Grants totaling over $150,000 have been received, and another $4 million in grants have been submitted. 

Student Government President, Jennifer Hitt reported on Student Government Activities and noted they are working with the Jackson County Center to create an advisory council on the JCC campus.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Jenny Keup reported that they have received $60,000 in tax credits and there is about $15,000 left.   The Foundation facilitated student travel this semester for several student trips.  A “Heroes for Children” gala will be scheduled to help raise funds for the Child Development Center.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the WVU at Parkersburg Board of Advisors will be held on Monday, February 11, 2008 in the Community Room at WVU Parkersburg.

Adjournment

With no further business to be discussed, the meeting was adjourned. 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Patsy J. Bee

                                                                        Executive Assistant to the President

________________________________

Linda Dickirson, Chair