WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors

February 16, 2004

Conference Rooms 2536-2538

 

The meeting was called to order by Joe Campbell, Chair.  Those present were; Joseph Badgley, Interim President WVU Parkersburg; James Hayhurst, Executive Vice President United Bankshares, Inc.; Joe Campbell, Vice President WesBanco; William Niday, Superintendent Wood County Schools;  Tony Playtis, Environmental Health Coordinator E. I. Dupont; Greg Smith, President and CEO Mountain State Blue Cross & Blue Shield; Linda Dickirson, Jackson County Representative; Joyce Okes, Program Director Workforce Investment Board; Michael Hastings, General Manager Benson International; George Kellenberger, Chamber of Commerce; President, Cindy Kelley, Faculty Representative; Violet Mosser, Staff Representative; and Patsy Bee, Executive Secretary to the President.   Absent were: Jim Mylott, Executive Director Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council; Trudy Seita Consultant/Trainer; Robert D'Avria, Executive Director Parkersburg YMCA; and Chris Mowry, Student Representative.

 

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Board meeting on November 17 were approved upon a motion by Mr. Smith and second by Mr. Hayhurst.

 

Report from the President/Academic Dean:

• Received grant in the amount of $36,000 from West Virginia University to partner with Potomac State College to create an online program in Criminal Justice.  Within the next two years students will be able to complete the entire program online
• Received grant in the amount of $129,000 from the West Virginia Department of Education to develop a Professional Development Partnership Model through our Education Division.
• The NCA Accreditation visit is scheduled for April 19 – April 21.  The President asked Board members to place these dates on their calendars for possible meetings and/or conference calls.  An itinerary will be prepared and Board members will be notified in advance of meetings scheduled with NCA Team members. 
• A timeline for the NCA Self Study process was provided for Board members to review. 
• The President reviewed with Board members the proposal to terminate the AAS degree in Manufacturing Technology.  He noted that plastics manufacturing in our area has been in a depressed state since the program first began.  After several discussions with leadership in the plastics industry, and because of consistently low enrollment in the program and only a few graduates it is recommended that the program be terminated.  It was pointed out that the faculty member affected will be reassigned to teach in another area.
• The Civil Rights Audit was recently completed on campus and WVU Parkersburg is in compliance.
• Enrollment is up from this time last year. The current FTE is up 5% and Headcount is up 2%.
• Copies of the President’s Report to the WVU Board of Governors was prepared and distributed for the Board members to review.  The President reported that the presentation went well, and it gave him an opportunity to educate WVU Board of Governors about our campus.
• The President reported on the status of the budget.  Prior to the Governor’s State of the State address everyone thought higher education would be cut 9% and were very pleased when it was announced that only a 2 ½ % budget cut was being proposed.  However, the additional capital bond money that was added to reduce the budget cut only applies to this year, and higher education will still face at least a 7% budget cut over the next two years. 
• There is a Community College Bill that has been introduced in the Legislature that would develop a Community College System.  Currently the bill includes WVU Parkersburg and contains language that would separate our college from West Virginia University.  Because WVUP is the only community college in the State that also offers baccalaureate programs, it separates us from the other community colleges and we have been assured that language in the bill will be changed to restore our mission with West Virginia University.
• An update was provided on the north stair tower subsidence.  West Virginia University has hired an architect to review the structure to determine if it would be better to repair or replace the structure.  Regardless of the final determination and cost, the Chancellor has given his assurance that the cost will be included in the bond call.
• Dr. Badgley announced that after careful consideration he has decided not to become a candidate for Campus President of WVU Parkersburg.  He believes that WVU Parkersburg needs someone that can provide a sense of renewal that would inspire creativity, and he feels he can best serve the institution by assisting the new President.
• Student Government Representative, Chris Mowry, has been hired by a firm in North Carolina and will be resigning from his position on the Board.  Mike Howerton, current Student Body Vice President, will take his place on the Board and on the Presidential Search Committee.

 

Report from President’s Cabinet Members:

 

Student Services Update

Dr. Dotty Muir, Dean of Students reported on the following:

• New program entitled MOVE AHEAD that provides assistance with resume writing and job interviews.  Five workshops have been developed and are open to students and the community.  The first workshop was held last Tuesday evening and a total of 45 people were in attendance.   Workshops will also be conducted for Work Force Development and Waterford High School Seniors majoring in business.
• Gear Up for Success program is doing well and making a difference in the lives of students that would not otherwise have attended college.
• Social Justice Committee is planning a field trip to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.  They have also invited the Reverend Samuel “Billy” Kyles to speak to the campus on Wednesday, February 18 at 2pm in the Activities Center on campus.  Dr. Kyle was with Dr. Martin Luther King when he was assassinated.   The Social Justice Committee is also sponsoring several events for Women’s History Month in March. 

 

Business, Industry & Development Services Update

Dr. David Bell, Dean reported on the following:

• ACT Testing Center has been upgraded to meet the standards of the Automotive Service Excellence and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  To date 76 TSA individuals have been tested.  This allows them to test locally and not have to travel to Columbus or Charleston.
• The ACT Training curriculum has been accepted into the Simonton Corporate University.  They will likely have employees access the curriculum from their various sites.  They have a specific interest in English as a second language for their west coast facilities.
• Woodcraft has started issuing CEU’s.  In the last quarter they issued some 340 CEU certificates.  They have 61 modules in the curriculum and last quarter education events totaled 2,640 sessions and they produced $750,000 in revenue to the stores.  There is some interest in credit offerings and some large organizations are considering doing tuition reimbursement for the education.
• At the Work Force Development Institution held in New Orleans, the Department of Labor and Education and Training Administration presented the “High Growth Industry Focus.”  These industries were determined by the Business Relations Group and included Health Care and Information Technology Retailing (that we currently offer).  Also, included high tech manufacturing, biotechnology, geospatial, automotive, construction,  and transportation.

 

WVU at Parkersburg Foundation Update

Mr. Paul Daugherty, Executive Director reported on the following:

• Vandale Estate has been finalized with a total donation to the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation of $950,000.  This donation will be used for unrestricted scholarships and will make a lasting impact on the lives of many students.
• Harrisville Lyons Club has created two scholarships.  One through the Ritchie County Community Foundation and one through WVU Parkersburg.
• A part-time staff member has been hired for the Alumni Development Office. The individual hired is shared with the President’s Office where she provides clerical assistance as a work study student. Board members will be receiving information soon on an Alumni Fundraising dinner scheduled in conjunction with the Masters of Mexican Music presentation scheduled for March 20.
• Jim Denova from the Benedum Foundation recently visited campus.  The Benedum Foundation provided a three-year grant for the very successful Gear Up for Success program, and is now interested in looking at other funding possibilities such as multi-task technician.

 

Action Items:

 

Approval of Partnership Agreement with Wood County Schools

Cindy Kelly reported on the renewal of the partnership agreement between WVU Parkersburg and Wood County Schools that was originally made in 1991.  The agreement allows for WVUP education students to gain field experience at schools throughout Wood County.  The program began with one school and has expanded to five.   The principals of these schools met in November of last year to sign a formal agreement to participate in the program.  The President of WVUP and Superintendent of Wood County Schools has signed the renewal agreement and is recommending that final approval be given by the Wood County Board of Education and WVU Parkersburg Board of Advisors.  Mr. Niday added that the program provides a great opportunity for students pursuing a teaching degree.  Mr. Hayhurst made a motion that the renewal agreement be approved.  Mr. Kellenberger seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Recommendation to Terminate AAS Degree Program in Manufacturing Processes

Next on the agenda, was a proposal to terminate the AAS degree in Manufacturing Technology.  Dr. Badgley noted that if demand for the program becomes evident in the future that it can be easily put back into place.  Mr. Smith made a motion to approve the recommendation that the AAS in Manufacturing Technology be eliminated.  Mr. Hayhurst seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  The proposal will now be sent to the WVU Board of Governors for final approval.

 

Other Business and General Discussion:

 

NCA Self Study Report – Governance Section

Dr. Badgley asked Board members to review a section of the Self Study dealing with Governance and how the Board of Advisors works with the WVU Board of Governors and President.  The Self Study Report will be sent to the printer some time this week and Board members will receive a copy of the final document.

 

Update on Presidential Search

Chairman Campbell reported on the Presidential Search Process.  He expressed disappointment that Dr. Badgley will not be applying for the position, but does understand his position.  He reported that the committee has met for the first time.  Committee members include:  Board members: Violet Mosser, Cindy Kelley, Mike Howerton, William Niday, and Michael Hastings.  Additional faculty representatives are Vijay Shah and Ragina Copeland.  Co-chairs are C. B. Wilson, Associate Provost at WVU Morgantown and Chairman Campbell.  Luanne Moore from WVU Human Resources will serve as the Social Justice representative.

 

The position has been advertised in the Chronicle of Higher Education and the American Association of Community Colleges, and recruitment letters went out on Friday to peer institutions.  Deadline for applications is March 5.  The Search Committee will meet again the second week of March to review the applications and begin the next step of selecting applicants to be interviewed.  The entire Board will be included in the interview process.  Three to five names will be submitted to President Hardesty at WVU, and he will make the final decision.  It is hoped that the new Campus President will be in place by July 1 of this year.  Questions regarding the process can be directed to Joe Campbell or C. B. Wilson.

 

Partnership between Business Community and WVUP

George Kellenberger announced a new partnership between the Business Community and WVU Parkersburg to provide speakers.  He would like to applaud Sy Sarkarat and the Business Department for making that happen.

 

Next Meeting:

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 17 at 8:00 a.m. and will be a joint meeting with the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation Board of Directors. 

 

Adjournment:

With no further business to be discussed, Mrs. Dickirson made a motion that the meeting be adjourned Mr. Kellenberger seconded the motion the motion passed. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                           

 

                                                                  Patsy Bee

                                                                  Executive Secretary to the President

 

______________________________

Joe Campbell, Chairman