West Virginia Northern Community College 

Minutes:                                                                                                                                                                                                                            February February 1, 2007

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Present: D. Bartley, S. Beck, R. Berry, D. Cresap, T. Danford, F. DeCaria (presiding), C. Eastham, D. Folger, D. Goeddel, M. Goldstein,  R. Guy,  K. Herrington, S. Hupp, L. Ingram, A., J. Keyser, Kuca, R. Lucki, R. Malek, M. Marlin, C. Morris, B. Peterman, D. Poffenberger, C. Riter, C. Rogerson,  S. Rychlicki, V. Slider, C. Teaff, J. Tully, T. Vavra, M. Watson, G. Winland, D. Yadrick

 

Excused:  C. Dale, M. Davis, E. Evans, C. Kefauver, L. Miller, T. Ramsey, J. Remias, D. Roth, D. Ryan, C. Tyska, J. Van Fossen

 

Absent: K. Atkins, S. Baricska, C. Cornforth, D. Ferrell, S. Gress, M. Grubor, D. Hans, L. Miller, R. Pusz, P. Sharma, L. Shelek, C. Stokes

Guests: V. Riley, D. McBride, Dr. Olshinsky

The meeting was called to order by President Frank DeCaria at 1:00 pm in the telecom rooms on three campuses.

Minutes of the October meeting were approved as posted on the Senate web page – approved in Fac. Exec.

Faculty Assembly extends deepest sympathy for Cyd Tyska and her family and gave thanks to T. Danford for helping/donation.

T. Danford reported contributions of $600 for Cyd at memorial - $200 more by certified check

Danford informed assembly that Cyd Tyska will return  February 25.

Faculty Assembly also extends deepest sympathy for Mike Davis.

Dr. Olshinsky introduced Dr. Riley. 

 

Dr. Olshinsky outlined plans/goals for the Vice President of Academic’s position:

1.      e learning (for both full time and adjunct faculty)

reason: to compete with other institutions. Enrollment w/o table gaming is low.

2.      web enhanced/hybrids courses

reason: to keep WVNCC competitive with other institutions 

3.   evening programs: daytime/fulltime is good, evening needs improvement 

4.   # of students in web based classes: what is the right number? 

5.   setting parameters for what it takes to sign up 

6.   retention: has gone up generally 

7.   classes with low enrollment: can schedules change? It’s costly to run some courses.

 

Dr. Olshinsky provided further information about:

 

1.      middle college (brings in high school students)

funds are supplied by corporations such as JP Morgan to help with replacement of  teachers at home schools. Will be working with state for funding after that.  Impact for Northern: more students who are younger, generally very good students.

 

2.      advertising

Planning blitz that hits all campuses, billboards, radio, direct home mailing

possibility; possibly in April everyone in certain zip codes in WV will get information emphasizing areas for job opportunities and enhanced programs

 

3.      tech. center

Governor’s budget allows 2 centers; $80 million bond issue with tech. center

included.  Options for location: Wheeling and possibly Weirton, possibly Straub or United Electric. Allows WVNCC to train in more blue collar areas

 

4.      renovations for B&O upcoming: ceiling tile, flooring, sprinklers

 

5.   other campuses: roof and heating/cooling

 

Dr. Riley took the floor:

She explained she has 23 years experience in higher education at CC, working with student services and academic administration.

In addition to activities outlined by Dr. Olshinksy she will be working to increase enrollment to target new populations, attract new students.

She gave congratulations for a successful higher learning commission focus visit

Dr. Riley looks forward to ideas and suggestions and asked for questions.

 

Denise McBride, student disabilities coordinator addressed assemble:

McBride noted that faculty are doing a good job accommodating students.  There are approximately 145 students in total with 90 on Wheeling campus.  She noted that she encourages the students to be self advocates (if student couldn’t because of psych./social disorder, she would email for them).

 

Dr. Olshinky inquired about students receiving anything from McBride to certify their disability.

McBride answered that each student’s instructor received a list of accommodations.  She

also made faculty/staff disabilities handbook – defines disabilities and provides hints for working with them

McBride noted that each student signed a release of confidentiality and instructor may ask for details.

 

McBride called for questions:
Marlin: Students that have accommodations that have not approached instructor, what do they do? 

McBride: for extended test taking, students make the choice for all accommodations – if they don’t ask for them, the college is still covered

Rychlicki: Concerning accommodation location – in Wheeling there may be quiet test taking location, what about other campuses? 

McBride: Recommends sending student to LRC to test, not sure how to implement tutoring center yet. If instructor wants to keep student in classroom and give extended time there or in office that is acceptable.  Other arrangements are coming soon.

Rychlicki: Had concerns about how to make accommodations on Weirton campus.

Dr. Olshinsky: LRC is the most logical place for most testing and they may isolate/block areas in future. Administration in the process of learning what to do based on increased enrollment.

McBride: In tutoring center in Weirton there is a room with compute and door can be closed

D. Folger: Raised issues/concerns with McBride’s workload because students don’t sign up in timely manner. She suggested possible help in her office.

Dr. Olshinsky: Noted there might be part time help in beginning of semester.

R. Berry: Concern about students unable to perform activity due to doctor’s recommendation. If we provide nursing assistance to help do clinical requirement, who pays? 

McBride: If previously accepted, and then injured with eventual recovery, students need accommodation during that time.  Student is responsible for meeting the requirement 

R. Berry: Help must be approved by hospital/institution.

DeCaria: What about online students? 

McBride: Letters sent to instructors no matter what class

K. Herrington: If it says notetaker, they should ask? Not teacher’s responsibility? 

McBride: Correct, unless there are other problems. Students need to learn to self advocate

 

Don Poffenberger addressed assembly regarding computer issues.

He wanted to offer some experiences with his use of computer system at school.

In November the president sent an invitation to attend webinar with information on how to engage students in online classes. He chose two.  One was skype which allows for contact with student using his computer instead of phone.  All were free, downloaded applications

 

In December he ran into problems with school computer and received message that

      they were blocked; he was told it took too much bandwidth, but he did research and

      it does take bandwidth, but not that much.

As he prepared for classes, looking at material necessary for class content, he visited 7 sites and was blocked from 5.  He was totally blocked from itunes and facebook. Itunes has 140,000+ podcasts that are education and sometimes free.

       

On the first day of class, he was denied access to all sites tried.  He learned that he

could ask permission for some, but others were totally denied.

 

He had a meeting with Dr. Olshinsky and Dr. Sharma to discuss denied access and the final result seemed to be that Dr. Olshinsky was concerned with control.

Poffenberger feels instructor computer could be unrestricted, but Dr. Olshinsky did not give any response

       

Historically there have been some problems with usage and instructors, but how can online classes be done if no access to online materials and applications is available? If IT can upload applications, couldn’t they monitor usage? He doesn’t want to have to ask permission every time blocked with possible slow resolution.

       

He doesn’t feel they would be opened up anytime soon, and he’s not asking for radical actions.  He had previously wanted to put criminal justice program online, but not now due to restrictions

 

What should be done? Stop trials or wait a few years to let bandwidth get caught

up? When looking at online classes, teachers will be restricted unless working at

home. He personally will not do online classes unless computers are unrestricted though he will continue hybrid/blended classes

 

Teaff explained that she teaches 8 online classes and must teach all from home for high speed connection, never from college computer. If she had to teach from school computer, would not teach online.

Danford recommended that faculty ask that lightspeed be lifted from faculty computers and classroom podiums.

Poffenberger noted that when he was denied itunes, he sent OZ message and Dave Haynes responded and opened itunes, but if it has to be done all times blocked, it won’t work

Herrington said that Sue Pelley said they never refused to lift a block. She suggested send request from all faculty, and ask them to monitor.

D. Poffenberger said that Dr. Olshinsky would not agree with Pelley. Dr. Olshinsky was adamantly against access to myspace/facebook.

F. DeCaria said that he had met with Dr. Riley and that this was an issue to be addressed quickly, in regard to broadband, three classes, taking a long time for responses; He inquired why our computers are so slow. He learned the system is tied in with IP and telecom and that is why it moves slowly.  Must do work at night and at home for posting.  Riley is willing to meet and discuss concerns.

 

 

Motion: Faculty assembly request meeting with Dr. Riley and Sue Pelley concerning website blockage, lightspeed and other domain issues (Danford/Herrington)

discussion: M. Goldstein recalled that a teacher came into classroom and wanted to use I have a dream on youtube and was denied access.

Approved

 

faculty to go: T. Danford, D. Poffenberger, C. Morris, F. Decaria

 

 

LRC needs new member.  Harbert volunteered for committee.

 

Decaria thanked Rita Berry, Charlie Rogerson, Tony Vavra, Shirley Rychlicki, and Tom Danfor for their help resolving the Fall 2008 scheduling issues.

 

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

CURRICULUM

Herrington reported that they worked to approve change in names for CIT and C. Cornforth would like help developing test for entering online and computer classes. Cornforth will meet with Steve Woodburn and Janet Fike

DeCaria volunteered to help with development.

Teaff noted that P. Sharma was working on it a year ago.

 

Herrington reported that BA 117 still required for admission to some business courses, and asked if it should be moved to developmental status.

Malek had a concern with BA 117 going to developmental because of Perkins funding.

Vavra explained that developmental classes are covered under Perkins.

Herrington reported CIT 90 is chosen by student, and new test would test student skills and then require CIT 90 possibly.

 

Herrington reported that there will be a new Criminal justice course: Forensics and a Photoshop course was approved

 

Shelek is working on paramedic throughout RN program, and it needs approval through accreditation.

 

Ramsey has students with trouble meeting requirements

 

Herrington noted that if you want something approved for catalogue, prob. too late

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUDGET

Vavra reported that they met but nothing is firm.  Requests have been sent in, not all limited to 2% for departments.  The maintenance of Hazel Atlas has been increased beyond plans due to table gaming.

Vavra also reported the sale of Hazel Atlas.  Programs would have to move somewhere else. There is interest in Straub and United Electric. 

Vavra also reported that there is a rumor that our budget could be increased 3% from the state. The use will be decided by the college, possible new positions request for 12 ($800,000). Bandi suggested one new faculty, one staff, one admin or other.

Vavra also noted that $100,000 will be paid back for new phone system installed and maybe another $100,000 later.

 

 

ASSESSMENT

Rychlicki reported that the committee is scheduled to meet next Friday

 

 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Danford reported they met Thursday January 24. There are three new appointees John Clark, William Haught, Mary Kay DeGarmo (superintendent of Brook County schools) is taking place of Keyser. Student representative Bob Dobkin did resign, and they are now looking for replacement.

Action items:

1. permission to administration to put Hazel Atlas on market – we must sell the building for no less than half of the average of the estimates/appraisals 1. $375,000  2. $1.2 million.  The board’s problem is deciding what price to put on it, discussion about another appraisal and then taking two best.

2. IPEDs: compared to 20 peer institutions: WVNCC doesn’t come out badly, can see report

3. # new rules read for the first time, board endorsed that rules must be read twice before passed by board

 

 

FERC – no report

 

ACF

Goldstein reported they met January 26 in Charleston. CTC in morning, legislature in afternoon and HEPC in afternoon

HEPC and CTC work together during legislative times

1. talk about increasing contributions to retirement from 6% to 7.5% from college

- approval of equity makes them seem more possible

2. introducing legislation to allow college faculty to serve in legislature – Larry Edgell noted one problem is that schools have to fund capital improvements, could implement new building commission (like K-12) = Vision 2020 be fully implemented by 20/20, for WVNCC would allow more tuition $ for faculty/staff

3. Governor said 3% for higher education, but not sure who will say where it goes

4. introducing legislation to remove all caps for tuition waivers. WVNCC could offer full waivers for faculty/staff dependents

 

HEPC meeting and CTC meeting about teacher retirees who face problems with their health insurance and who will pay for it.

 

Rychlicki asked if faculty received one month for one year and if 3 and 1/3 years gets a covered year.

Goldstein answered that for those accumulated leave and sick days, on faculty side, one month coverage for year of work. He suggested faculty ask Peggy Carmichael

 

DeCaria suggested also that faculty ask Peggy Carmichael

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

The library is not having poetry contest this year and they request possible ideas because awards are usually given during library week.

 

M. Goldstein, C. Rogerson

.

Motion for adjournment by Goldstein, seconded by Rogerson.

Respectfully submitted,

Crystal Harbert

Faculty Assembly Secretary