NEW STATE CODE GOVERNING CLASSIFIED STAFF COUNCIL

Below is the new state code that dictates how classified staff council will be run.  There are still some areas that may need work (there are bugs).  As you get the time please read through the policy.  When you have done so, please get in touch with your current area representatives with any questions and concerns. 

§18B-6-4b. Institutional classified employee council.
(a) For the purposes of this section the following words have the specified meanings unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) "Council" or "staff council" means the advisory group of classified employees formed on each campus of state institutions of higher education pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of this section; and
(2) "State institutions of higher education" means all institutions as defined in section two, article one of this chapter and, additionally, Potomac state college of West Virginia university, West Virginia university at Parkersburg, West Virginia university institute of technology, Robert C. Byrd health sciences Charleston division of West Virginia university, the Marshall university graduate college, new river community and technical college, the higher education policy commission and the West Virginia network for educational telecomputing.
(b) Effective the first day of April, two thousand three, there is established at each state institution of higher education an institutional classified employees advisory council to be known as the staff council. Current members of staff councils and their officers who have been duly elected shall continue to serve with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities prescribed by this section until the time that members elected as set forth in subsection (1) of this section assume office.
(1) During the month of April of each odd-numbered year, beginning in the year two thousand three, each president or other administrative head of a state institution of higher education, at the direction of the council, and in accordance with procedures established by the council, shall convene a meeting or otherwise institute a balloting process to elect members of the staff council as follows:
(A) Two classified employees from the administrative/managerial sector;
(B) Two classified employees from the professional/non- teaching sector;
(C) Two classified employees from the paraprofessional sector;
(D) Two classified employees from the secretarial/clerical sector;
(E) Two classified employees from the physical plant/maintenance sector; and
(F) The member who is elected to serve on the advisory council of classified employees pursuant to section four-a of this article. This person shall serve as an ex officio, voting member of the staff council and shall report to the council on meetings of the advisory council and the board of governors.
(2) Classified employees at Marshall university and West Virginia university may elect five classified employees from each of the five sectors to serve on the staff council.
(3) Members shall serve a term of two years which term shall begin on the first day of July of each odd-numbered year. Members of the council are eligible to succeed themselves.
(4) Classified employees shall select one of their members to serve as chair. All classified employees at the institution are eligible to vote for the chair by any method approved by a majority of their members. The chair is eligible to succeed himself or herself.
(5) The staff council shall meet at least monthly or at the call of the chair. With appropriate notification to the institutional president, the chair may convene staff council meetings for the purpose of sharing information and discussing issues affecting the classified employees or the efficient and effective operations of the institution.
(6) The president of the institution shall meet at least quarterly with the staff council to discuss matters affecting classified employees.
(7) The governing board shall meet at least annually with the staff council to discuss matters affecting classified employees and the effective and efficient management of the institution.