May 19, 2009

WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors approves Memorandum of Understanding agreement with WVU.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors approved a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with West Virginia University at a special meeting Monday (May 18).

Following an executive session, board member Greg Smith motioned that the board accept the MOU agreement which WVU's Board of Governors approved April 23. 

Smith's motion also included a provision directing WVU Parkersburg Board Chair Joe Campbell to send a letter to WVU's board indicating that if the termination language in a proposed Trademark Licensing agreement regarding the college name and related indicia is changed to mirror the MOU language, the Parkersburg board "will be inclined to accept that agreement as well."  The motion was approved unanimously.

The MOU agreement establishes a formal relationship between WVU and WVU Parkersburg.  It recognizes WVU Parkersburg as the exclusive platform for WVU graduate programs in the Mid-Ohio Valley and designates the Parkersburg college as an affiliated institution of WVU. 

Prior to the executive session, constituent members of the board provided summaries of the campus forums which were held to gather input regarding a possible change to the college's name.  Results from an on-line survey were also discussed with the board.  More than 800 surveys were completed.  Eighty-one percent indicated they did not support a name change.

Board Chair Campbell noted that a Services Agreement between the two institutions is still being developed.

In her report to the board, WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage said that college administrators are working with WVU officials regarding the cost of services to be provided as part of the Services Agreement.   While WVU Parkersburg was allocated $500,000 to cover transitional costs related to being separated administratively from WVU, it is not enough to cover all expenses being incurred, she noted.

WVU Parkersburg's Board of Governor's next regularly scheduled meeting is June 10.

cd05/19/09