WVU at Parkersburg
Board of Advisors
May 13, 2002
8:00 a.m.
Conference Rooms 2536-2538
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert D’Avria. Those present were; Erik Bitterbaum, President WVU Parkersburg; Mr. Skip Hackworth, Executive Director Jobs for Graduates; Robert D'Avria, Executive Director Parkersburg YMCA; Jim Mylott, Executive Director Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council; James Hayhurst, Executive Vice President United Bankshares, Inc.; George Kellenberger, President Chamber of Commerce; Joe Campbell, Vice President WesBanco; Tony Playtis, Environmental Health Coordinator E. I. Dupont; JoAnn Backus, Staff Representative; Cindy Kelley, Faculty Representative; Chris Mowry, Student Representative; and Patsy Bee, Administrative Assistant to the President. Those absent were: Trudy Seita Consultant/Trainer, Joyce Okes, Program Director Workforce Investment Board, and Dan Curry, Superintendent Wood County Schools.
The minutes of the Board meeting on March 4, 2002 were approved upon a motion by Mr. Mylott and second by Mr. Hackworth.
Election of Officers:
Mr. D’Avria nominated Jim Mylott on behalf of the nominating committee to serve as Chair of the WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors for 2002-2003. Mr. Kellenberger made motion that nominations be closed. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion carried and Mr. Mylott was elected Chairman by unanimous vote. Nominations for Vice Chair will be presented at the next meeting.
President's Report:
Dr. Bitterbaum introduced new Board member Linda Dickirson from Jackson County. He noted that Mrs. Dickirson serves on the State Board for the Special Olympics. He also introduced new student representative, Chris Mowry, and new staff representative, JoAnn Backus.
Dr. Bitterbaum announced that Senator Oshel Craigo has set aside $500,000 in the Budget Digest for the purchase and renovation of the new building adjacent to the Jackson County Center.
Other announcements included:
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McDonough contribution to fund Development Assistant position for the Alumni Associationo
Two Fulbright Grants received. One in the amount of $62,000 for 14 of our faculty to travel to Bulgaria to the University of Rousse. The second Fulbirght award will be to fund our first Fulbright Scholar – a journalist from Malaysia.o
Possibility of dorm-like structures being built near our campus by a Mr. McWilliams who is a local developer. There would be no financial obligation to the college. Mr. McWilliams just requests that we have brochures about the complex available to give to students in need of housing. This will allow us to attract more students from other parts of West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvaniao
Trudy Seita, one of our Board members, will be conducting a Strategic Planning session on our campus on June 6 for a group of faculty and staff. This will help us in preparing for our North Central visit.o
Commencement is scheduled this week. We will be awarding two honorary degrees: One to Madame Shao Fang Sheng and the other to Dr. David Moses, a former student that went on to graduate from Carnegie Mellon University.o
The future economic outlook for the State of West Virginia appears that there will be a 100 million dollar shortfall which may cause a mid-year rescission and require the college to take a 3% cut this coming fall.Dr. Bitterbaum noted that Board members would be called upon to assist the college as we prepare for the North Central accreditation review. He asked Board members for their suggestions on including them more in college activities. Suggestions included:
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Continue communications through newsletters, minutes, etc.o
Committee meetings with administrators as done during the first year.o
Have Board members more involved in spreading the word about the college.o
Provide input about issues and receive feedback.Next, on the agenda Dr. Joe Badgley, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Coordinator of the North Central Steering Committee, provided an overview of WVU at Parkersburg’s upcoming North Central Accreditation visit in 2003-2004. He informed Board members that they would be contacted to participate in the onsite visit on April 19 – 21, 2004 and will be kept informed of the self-study process leading up to the visit.
Dr. David Bell provided Board members with an overview of the new ACT Center that is now operational. He distributed copies to Board members of the Workforce Development Community and Technical College Work Force Centers outlining the four components and multiple activities for customized employer services. Dr. Bell requested Board members assistance in reviewing definitions and provide any suggestions to him before a finalized draft will be sent to the Community College Advisory Council in July.
Mrs. Beth McNally, Executive Director of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation announced an Estate Planning Seminar which has been scheduled for May 23.
Dr. Bitterbaum called attention to the meeting schedule for next year and asked Board members to contact his office if there were conflicts.
With no further business to be discussed, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
Patsy J. Bee
Administrative Assistant to the President
Robert D’Avria
Administrative Assistant to the President