West Virginia Northern Community College 

Minutes:                                                                                                                                                                                                                            April 6, 2007

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Present: S. Beck, R. Berry, D. Cresap, C. Dale, T. Danford, M. Davis, F. DeCaria (Presiding),  D. Farrell, D. Folger, K. Freeman, D. Goeddel, M. Goldstein, D. Hans, C. Harbert, K. Herrington, S. Hupp, L. Ingram, C. Kefauver, N. Krupinski, A. Kuca, R. Lucki, R. Malek, M. O’Brien, T. Ramsey, C. Riter, C. Rogerson,  P. Sharma, L. Shelek, B. Sisarcik,  V. Slider, S. Rychlicki, C. Teaff, J. Tully, A. Vavra, M. Watson, G. Winland, D.Yadrick

 Excused:  C. Cornforth, J. Keyser, J. Remias, D. Ryan, V. Slider, Charleen Stokes, Jean VanFossen

 Absent:  K. Atkins, D. Bartley, F. Binkley, T. Craig,  S. Gress, M. Grubor, S. Huggins, D. Poffenberger,

Guests: Martin Olshinsky, Larry Bandi, Pat Stroud

The meeting was called to order by President Frank Decaria at 2:00 pm in the Telecom Rooms on three campuses.

Minutes of the March meeting were approved as posted on the Senate web page.(K. Herrington/M. Watson)

Dr. Olshinksy and Larry Bandi provided new information regarding merit and salary issues.  Raises have been approved by state.  Chancellor’s office is still undecided about the whether distribution of funds will be decided by state or decided by college.  Governor’s office is indicating that the increase will not be implemented until October 1, 2007.  Further information will be sent to F. Decaria. 

 

Dr. Olshinsky also indicated that he and Larry Bandi were in agreement that the faculty plan for raises presented at their meeting made sense.  Merit still needs to be decided.  Another meeting will be held April 13, 2007 with faculty to discuss the plan.

 

Dr. Olshinsky also addressed the issue of thefts in the Education Center.  A piece of technology worth $20,000 was stolen from a classroom as well as laptops and other technology.  Faculty suggested solutions such as keypads by doors and locks on podiums. 

 

The position of Vice President is still unfilled and Mike Koon will continue fulfilling those duties. 

 

Pat Stroud requested that faculty complete a survey to find out what faculty want from the LRC.

 

Salary/Equity: T. Vavra reported that the president did see merit in the plan presented.  The pay increases will be placed in base salary.  If the plan was approved, money would come from merit funds; therefore, no funds for merit would be available.  President can currently find $4,000, but double is needed for merit. 

Special thanks to Connie Dale and Denny Roth for their work on the salary/equity plan.

3.5% raises from state: M. Davis reported that state government has verbally promised a 3.5% pay raise across the board, and ACF and AFT are lobbying government for this.  T. Vavra noted that the 3.5% was only valid up to $1200.

Merit: C. Kefauver reported on item 29 in the merit guidelines: CEU classes need preapproval beginning after this year.  Professional development does count as preapproval.  Also, conference attended can no longer be verified through a copy of an agenda, proof of participation form must be signed.  The committee will finish by deadline.

Committee Reports

Committee

Report

ACF

M. Davis reported that they met 3/30.  They are lobbying government for 3.5% raise across the board.  Also, a new grievance law has been passed and he recommended that 2 people look over it and report to faculty.  New representative elected: Mark Goldstein nominated by M. David.  K. Herrington seconded.  Approved.  Thanks to M. Davis for good work as representative.

BOG

T. Ingram reported for T. Danford.  3/29 was the annual meeting which allowed students to attend.  Business was routine.

Assessment

L. Shelek reported that a spreadsheet for division chairs was created and will meet to further review reports.  Goal is to look at trends and create and online spreadsheet that will be hyperlinked to reports.  NCA visit will take place in November.

Curriculum

No meeting.  K. Herrington reported that they approved by email the administrative withdraw policy which J. Fike also approved: Instructors can administratively withdraw and students may drop until the eleventh week or until 60% of the course is complete. 

General Education

No report.

Enrollments Management

M. Watson reported that withdraw policy confirmed.  New focus is on retention.  56% of those admitted did enroll.  Looking to keep students from beginning by increased communication such as letters of acceptance and letters from president and dean welcoming them.

Budget

 

Professional Development

No meeting.

LRC

K. Freeman reported that the thefts have affected the LRC.  Also, poetry contest may not be continued due to lack of interest.

Institutional Technology

R. Malek reported that Red Square has had meeting with faculty, staff, and administration.  Will not be updating to VISTA operating system, will maintain 2003 servers. 

Distance Ed: P. Sharma reported that student evaluation of distance ed. courses is available online for instructors and they will analyze responses.

Writing Across the Curriculum

K. Freeman reported that APA formatting should be addressed by English department. 

Merit

 

FERC

C. Harbert reported that they are still working on changes.  M. Davis recommended that merit and the annual faculty evaluation and review be combined.

 

New Business

  • Personnel Files: concern reported over the maintenance of files. F. Decaria suggested a creation of a committee to investigate.  Several faculty reported problems with individual files missing items.

Motion: Request that the president have an audit conducted.  During discussion, K. Herrington recommended an amendment as follows: F. Decaria should contact Dr. Olshinsky and ask that an external audit be conducted on personnel files located in Human Resources. (M. Davis/T. Vavra).

Motion: Assembly ask Human Resources for the procedure for handling personnel files.  If none exists, ask that one be developed, written clearly and defined, and shared with faculty.  Request improved security for personnel files regarding who may or may not access them. (K Herrington/ S. Rychlicki)

  • Grievance Process: change in legislature needs to be investigated and when it’s published it should be distributed to all faculty.
  • Civil War Memorial: C. Rogerson raised concerns about the project.
  • Insurance Policies: M. Goldstein reported that dependents covered under hospitalizations/PEIA will be covered until 25 years old even without attending college – passed in this session and will take effect 7/1/07.

 

Motion for adjournment by C. Rogerson, seconded by M.Watson.

Respectfully submitted,

Crystal Harbert

Faculty Assembly Secretary