WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors addresses HB 3215 concerns

March 11, 2009

WVU Board of Governors addresses HB 3215 concerns; approves 8.6% tuition increase.
CONTACT: WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage, 304-424-8200.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At its regular meeting Wednesday (March 11), the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors addressed the need to move forward regarding agreements with West Virginia University mandated by recent state legislation. The board also approved an 8.6% increase in tuition.

Following an executive session, the board unanimously approved a motion by board member Keith Burdette to send a letter to the president of West Virginia University regarding the directives of HB 3215, which created a statewide network of community colleges and severed the governance relationship between WVU Parkersburg and WVU.

The legislation, enacted last spring by the WV Legislature, directs that agreements be developed between impacted institutions. Burdette noted that no memorandum of understanding has been developed with WVU despite multiple requests by WVU Parkersburg to initiate such action. Board of Governors Chairman Joe Campbell was asked to convey the board’s concern and frustration to WVU in a letter to be sent by March 13 and to request a response within two weeks.

WVU Parkersburg has served as a regional campus of WVU since 1989.

In other action, the board by unanimous vote approved an annual increase of $165 for full-time enrollment in two-year programs and an increase of $225 per year for full-time baccalaureate students. WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage noted that current economic conditions, including no expected increase in state appropriations, were factors necessitating the increase.

The increase would generate approximately $458,000 to be used to fully fund the college’s classified staff salary schedule; increase student support services, including academic support and student activities; upgrade the college’s technology infrastructure, and fund software licensing for the institution.

The community college tuition increase request will be forwarded to the WV Council for Community and Technical Education for consideration with the baccalaureate tuition request to be sent to the state's Higher Education Policy Commission for approval. The increases would be effective for the fall 2009 semester.

In other business, the board heard a Faculty Senate presentation from Lew Rutherford, professor of speech.

cd03/12/09

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)

WVU Parkersburg News Archive

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