WVU at Parkersburg
Board of Advisors
November 18, 2002 - 8:00 a.m.
Conference Rooms 2536-2538
The meeting was called to order by Jim Mylott, Chair. Those present were; Jim Mylott, Executive Director Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council and Board of Advisors; Erik Bitterbaum, President WVU Parkersburg; Robert D'Avria, Executive Director Parkersburg YMCA; James Hayhurst, Executive Vice President United Bankshares, Inc.; Joe Campbell, Vice President WesBanco; Trudy Seita Consultant/Trainer; Dan Curry, Superintendent Wood County Schools; George Kellenberger, President Chamber of Commerce; Tony Playtis, Environmental Health Coordinator E. I. Dupont; Linda Dickirson, Jackson County Representative; Chris Mowry, Student Representative; and Patsy Bee, Administrative Assistant to the President. Absent were: Joyce Okes, Program Director Workforce Investment Board; JoAnn Backus, Staff Representative; Cindy Kelley, Faculty Representative; and
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Board meeting on September 30, 2002 were approved upon a motion by Dr. Curry and second by Mr. Kellenberger.
Election of Vice Chair
Chairman Mylott nominated Joe Campbell to serve as Vice Chair for the WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors for the 2002-2003 term. Mr. Hayhurst made a motion to accept the nomination. Mr. D’Avria seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Action Items
Board members reviewed a revised copy of the WVU Parkersburg Mission Statement. Connie Dziagwa, Director of Communications and Public Relations explained the necessity for the Mission Statement to be more adaptable to what we are and what we have become. She noted that the Mission statement has been condensed to make is more readable and accessible. After some discussion Mr. Hayhurst made a motion to accept the revised Mission Statement. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Next President Bitterbaum informed Board members of the updated WVU Parkersburg Compact and Master Plan that needed to be reviewed for approval. He explained that once the update is approved on our campus, it will be submitted to WVU Board of Governors for approval and then forwarded to the Higher Education Policy Commission for final approval. After some discussion, Ms. Seita made a motion to accept the updated changes to the WVU Parkersburg Compact. Ms. Dickirson seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Joe Badgley, Dean of Academic Affairs, provided information on two degree programs that needed the Board’s approval for elimination. The first program is the AS in Engineering that was designed as a transfer degree. Dr. Badgley explained that there have been very few graduates in the program and no students have graduated since 2000. Some of the courses will be moved to another program, and there will be no elimination of faculty and staff. Elimination of this program will allow for gained efficiencies. Dr. Badgley reported on the second program being considered for elimination. It is the AAS in Environmental Technology that was developed for business and industry but hasn’t worked out because area businesses are no longer hiring environmental technologists. Courses that support other programs will not be eliminated, and there will be no elimination of faculty or staff. After some discussion, Mr. Playtis made a motion that the AS in Engineering and the AAS in Environmental Technology be eliminated. Mr. Kellenberger seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report from the President
President Bitterbaum reported on the following:
Judy Higgs, Dean of Students will be retiring in January.
Since WVU Parkersburg is enrollment-driven, our Enrollment Management Council recently developed a survey that was sent to students enrolled in the Spring semester of 2002, that did not return in the Fall semester. There has been good response to the survey. Finances appear to be the main reason that students do not return. We will use the information from the survey to develop a system for assisting and encouraging students to return.
The Business and Economics Division recently published results from a survey that shows that WVU Parkersburg has a $52 million dollar impact on the economy of this area. The Business Division will also develop an advisory group of community business leaders that will meet for the first time on December 6 to review curriculum offered and make suggestions for the future.
The Health Sciences division will benefit from a joint effort with four area hospitals that will provide contributions of $15,000 each to be matched by the state government.
The Social Science Division is now offering a bachelors degree through West Virginia State College in the area of Criminal Justice. There is also the potential for a degree in Social Work. WV State College will offer two courses on our campus this fall to test the interest in this program.
The Humanities Division will be receiving a Fulbright Scholar next semester from Malaysia.
The Natural Science and Mathematics Division is working on several grants as is the Technology Division. The Technology Division is also working with local union representatives regarding our program in occupational technology.
The Education Division has received a Benedum implementation grant in the amount of $105,000 for partnerships with area schools. Only two colleges in the state received the implementation grants.
Business, Industry and Development Services has been very active in working with corporate unions through our ACT Center.
Report from President’s Cabinet Members
Joe Badgley, Dean of Academic Affairs reported on the following:
Benedum grant to support professional development partnership with five area elementary schools.
Received approval to offer the AAS in Early Childhood Education.
WV State College will offer two courses in Social Work on our campus next semester. These courses will be used as a measure to hopefully bring the program to WVU Parkersburg.
The Regional Jail Authority is interested in WVUP providing criminal justice training on site to their employees. If it is successful, it may be a program that can be offered state-wide.
Program developed to provide courses in business and speech to residents of St. Mary’s Correctional Center.
David Bell, Dean of Business, Industry and Development Services reported on the following:
Received Verizon Digital Bridge grant. It is a three-year program to provide program development, computer-based learning, and how to use ACT courses in Business and Industry.
Norma Hoppie, Coordinator for the Graduate Realtors Institute will be retiring after 20 years of service to the college. Search committee has been developed to review applicants for replacement.
Workkeys in Business Writing has been developed to write answers to business problems without the assistance of a computer or dictionary.
On the horizon, BIDS is considering the licensure process for appraisal to develop associates degree program. This will be a joint effort with the Business and Economics Division. The program will probably be offered state-wide.
Preparing certificates in four or five courses to meet entrepreneurial needs which help continue economic development in our state.
Beth McNally, Executive Director of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation reported on the following:
130 Scholarships have been provided to students this year.
Provided assistance for students to attend conferences.
Assisted 60 faculty and staff with continuing education.
Donor appreciation lunch held this week. Donors were very moved by presentations from students.
State tax credits for scholarships are still available.
Reminder that the greatest service the Board of Advisors can give to WVU Parkersburg is to open doors for our college by spreading the word about the good things that are offered.
David Cunningham, Director of Facilities and Services reported on four projects:
Landscaping for the entry sign has been completed.
The subsidence of the north stair tower has required remedial measures for stabilization and a team of architects are revising/updating information to estimate cause and cost. There has been interest expressed by the Board of Risk Management through the assistance of Delegate Jerry Mezzatesta to make them aware of the situation.
Currently in negotiations with architects to renovate the facility adjacent to the Jackson County Center in Ripley. The project should be completed by June 30, 2003.
Campus Facilities Master Plan which provides a ten year outline for the campus is being revised and will need to be submitted to the Higher Education Policy Commission by December of next year.
Mr. Mylott noted that Mr. Mezzatesta who chairs the Workforce Investment Board for the Mid-Ohio Valley reported at the last meeting that out of 232 students, 114 were sent to WVU Parkersburg. Mr. Mezzatesta singled out WVU Parkersburg as a model for the state in assisting business and industry. Mr. Mylott also added that Mr. Mezzatesta is the chair of the WV House Education Committee.
George Kellenberger reported that Greg Hill, WVUP Small Business Development Director is conducting a survey of small businesses in the area, and they are hoping for a 25 – 30% return.
With no further business to be discussed, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for February 10.
Respectfully submitted,
Patsy J. Bee
Administrative Assistant to the President
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Jim Mylott, Chair