Planning Council

Community Room

February 26, 2008 – 1:00 p.m.

Those present were: Marie Foster Gnage, Connie Dziagwa, Mary Beth Busch, John Gorrell, Dave White, Danita Brown, Denise McClung, Rhonda Richards, Jenny Keup, Janice McCue, Curt Fulmer, Elizabeth Baker, and Patsy Bee.  Absent were:  Jennifer Hitt, Jason Stark, Jan Miller, and Charles Almond.

Update:

Elizabeth Baker reported that she is working on budget principles that explains how our budget process works.  It should be available by April 1.  The Business Office is also looking at a new process for Financial Aid disbursement that should be marketed to students and implemented during the summer and will be fully in place by the fall semester.

Denise McClung reported that recycling can be added into the Strategic Plan for the college.  She also reported that early admission classes will be expanded with the high schools.  A coordinator for the Criminal Justice program will be hired on a temporary basis to revitalize the Criminal Justice program.

Curt Fulmer reported that Sassy surveys are in, and the Adult Learner Inventory will be done by the end of this month.  There is a 13% return rate.

John Gorrell updated the Planning Council on progress with Compact Initiatives that were presented at the last meeting.

Rhonda Richards reported that there are four online programs that will be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission.  We will have an onsite visit the Monday and Tuesday of May 5 and 6.  Dave White inquired about Veteran recruitment.  President Gnage noted that there needs to be a strategic plan in place for veterans.  Dr. Richards noted that some classes are being scheduled with the National Guard.  She also reported that Faculty Senate is preparing a publication showcasing their professional development activities for 2008-2009.

Jenny Keup – There is a House Bill that is reauthorizing tax credits for next year with a $500,000 increase.

President Gnage reported on bills that are currently in the Senate and House that would affect WVU Parkersburg.  One that may cause some concern is HB 3215.  The bill would require governing boards at all community and technical colleges and it would be effective July 1.  There is also a bond bill – SB 6   that will provide 80 million dollars to be used for Capital Projects for all community colleges.  WVU Parkersburg would receive six million.  Some of these funds would go towards our Child Development Center and some would go towards an Applied Technology Building.

Compact Initiatives Strategies.  President Gnage asked if all the strategies discussed at the last meeting are the strategies that Dr. Richards will need to completed the update for the Compact Strategies for next year.

Code of Ethics  President Gnage asked Council members to review the Code of Conduct document that had previously been handed out.  This will be the number one agenda item for the next meeting.  Copies of the draft Code of Ethics will be sent out to Planning Council members again to review and develop something or disregard it all together.  It could be called a Community Commitment Statement perhaps printed on a card that could be sent out.

Planning Strategies for the Next Strategic Plan.  President Gnage asked Planning Council how we would development a Strategic Plan that would proceed on from 2009.  After some discussion, it was suggested that a town hall be held with different areas of the community to ask what they like or do not like, and what is working and what is not working.  It was also suggested that there be a campus community retreat with the President providing an overview.  President Gnage noted that she would like to use this as an opportunity to get people involved – to make connections.  The following was suggested as possible contacts for participation and feedback:

·         Board members

·         Community leaders in the 7-county area.

·         Business/Industry

·         Medical Personnel (hospitals, doctors)

·         College Advisory Committees

·         External Boards

Ask all groups the following questions:

Question 1:      What about WVUP makes you most proud?

Question 2:      On what should we work to make this great institution even greater?

Other suggestions included:

Reunion of alumni

Charette

Project for the Leadership Academy

Council agreed to ask the Leadership Academy to develop a plan to receive input from the entire campus and the community.  A timeline will be as follows:

·         Leadership Academy will organize a town meeting

·         Advisory Council Groups needs to meet by the end of the Spring Semester

·         Focus groups with Business/Industry need to meet by last two weeks of September

·         Compile information during summer months.

·         Put out for review after September

Questions will be sent out to all groups and will be given to students applying for graduation – questions need to be added to graduation application.

Visioning Exercise.

How do we want to look when students come back next fall?

What can you do to improve engagement hours?

What can we do to better encourage engagement hours?

President Gnage asked Council member to think of strategies and specific projects to engage students and let them know that we are “student centered.”  

Other

President Gnage announced that the college will have seven new seats on our Board of Advisors next year and requested recommendations be sent to her.

Dave White suggested the possibility of Student ID badges with bar codes that could be used for a variety of campus activities.  He also noted that there needs the Facilities Task Force need a new faculty member since the faculty representative resigned from the position.

Submitted by Patsy Bee

Executive Assistant to the President