Feb.11, 2010

WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors approves new bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

CONTACT:  WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage, 304-424-8200.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors approved a new bachelor's degree in criminal justice at its Wednesday (Feb. 10) meeting.

To be offered in the fall, the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice provides the opportunity for students to complete a career ladder in criminal justice.  Currently, WVU Parkersburg offers an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice.  Students will be able to pursue the bachelor's degree in two tracks:  administration of justice and crime scene investigations. 

A request to add the criminal justice major to the institution's degree inventory will be advanced to the WV Higher Education Policy Commission.  Dr. Rhonda Richards, senior vice president for academic affairs, noted that the new BASCJ degree is the seventh baccalaureate being offered by WVU Parkersburg.

"This issue of creating career ladders and increasing our baccalaureate degrees is important ... and can change our destiny as an institution," BOG member Keith Burdette noted.

Also approved was the adoption of the Employee and Family Tuition Waiver Program policy which will provide undergraduate tuition waiver benefits for full-time benefits' eligible employees and their qualified spouses or dependants.  The program is effective with the Fall 2010 semester. 

In other matters, the board approved a roof replacement project presented by Dave White, director of facilities and grounds.  Bids for the project may exceed $250,000 so the project required board approval.  The project involves the replacement of the 23-year old roof over the student lounge section of the main building and the 27-year old roof over the three-story classroom tower.  Funding for the project will come from stimulus "backfill" funds.  The project is expected to begin in April.

White also apprised the board of a $250,000 project to update the 10-year old heating, ventilation and air condition system in the Caperton Center for Applied Technology.  The project is scheduled to begin in June.  Federal stimulus funds will fund the project.  Also, White noted the college will upgrade all its elevator controls in the campus administrative building.  Estimated cost is $70,000 and will be funded by institutional capital repair and alteration funds.

The board tabled approval of the institution's comprehensive facilities master plan until the next meeting so members have an opportunity to review it more fully.

Rodney Parker, president of Staff Council, gave a presentation to the board regarding the college's classified staff employees and their contributions to the institution.

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