by Jeff Fox
The WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors became the first performers in the newly renovated theatre on Sept. 14, as BOG Chairman Joe Campbell proudly called their meeting to order on the newly remodelled theatre stage at 5:45 PM. The Board also welcomed the new WVU Parkersburg Student Representative, Loren Bell, to her Board position.
Chairman Campbell made a few short remarks, and reminded Board members about the upcoming mandatory Board Retreat Training. A short review of committee assignments followed, and the minutes of the June 15th meeting were approved by the Board.
President Gnage welcomed everyone and expressed her pleasure regarding WVU Parkersburg’s 50th Anniversary events and invited all to participate in the remaining ceremonies. With regard to a faculty and staff pay raises, President Gnage said, “Equity has been addressed for faculty, and the classified Mercer schedule is being addressed. Oct. 1 is the date we will address the Mercer schedule.” President Gnage also welcomed WVU Parkersburg’s new Human Resources Director, Cynthia Ashby, and gave a word of thanks to the resigning WVU Parkersburg Foundation Executive Director, Kim Jones. Jones will be taking a new position in Chillicothe, OH, to be closer to family.
Vice President of Student Services, Anthony Underwood presented an overview of the services that his department provides to students. Underwood also outlined some of the major projects that his department is currently engaged in. These range from performing degree audits for students to improving Veteran services, and the recent attendance verification program implemented this semester on campus. “We have a special eye for veterans, adult basic education and GED students, displaced workers, first generation students and those which are involved in some type of rehabilitation that have joined us to improve their professional outlook,” Underwood said.
Underwood also spoke on the student demographics for WVU Parkersburg, stating “84 percent receive some form of grant or scholarship, with 58 percent receiving Pell Grants, and 73 percent take federal loans.” At present time, the student body is almost split 50-50 between traditional and non-traditional students.
WVU Parkersburg Foundation Executive Director Kim Jones discussed a recent survey, which researched the possibility of the university engaging in a capital fund-raising campaign. The first phase would have a target of raising $5 million dollars, and a second phase, would double the initial goal. After a short discussion, the Board decided that committees from the university and the foundation would meet to further discuss the plans for the campaign. The proposed policy changes now move on to the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College System, where they will be reviewed and await final approval.
Director of Facilities and Grounds for WVU Parkersburg, Dave White addressed the Board and provided updates on several projects. White reported that bids for the Advanced Technical Center and Child Development Center would be opened in the next couple weeks and that construction would begin in October. Work is continuing on the downtown Parkersburg campus and architectural firms will soon be interviewed regarding the interior design. “A new math lab at the Jackson County Campus has also been completed, and it can accommodate 36 math students,” White said.
Anthony Underwood explained the proposed drop in the graduation application fee from $25 to $5 for associates and certificate programs and $10 for bachelors programs. If a student were to graduate with two degrees at one time, only the higher application fee would be collected. Underwood said that some students have already applied to graduate in December, and that they would receive a refund.
Underwood then outlined the proposed Affordable Tuition Program. This program would allow students from Athens, Guernsey, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, and Washington counties in Ohio to enroll in specific programs and receive approximately a 40 percent discount on their out of state tuition.
The qualifying bachelors programs would include Business Administration (B.A.S.), including Business Information Technology, Financial Management, Management and Marketing and Public Relations; Business Administration (B.S.), including Accounting and General Business; Criminal Justice; Elementary Education; Information Systems (Mainframe Computing and Software Engineering Options), including Network Engineering, Management and Technology; Multi-Disciplinary Studies; and Regents Bachelor of Arts. The qualifying associate programs would include Engineering Technology, including Drafting, Electronics, Industrial, Mechanical and Specialized; Energy Assessment and Management Technology; Machining Technology; Multi-Craft Technology; Solar Energy Technology; and Welding Technology.
The proposed rates would be $2,400 per semester or $200 per credit hour for associate degree or certificate programs, $2,460 per semester or $205 per credit hour for bachelor's degree programs, and $70 per credit hour for early admissions programs. The rates would take effect for the spring 2012 semester.
“We hope to increase enrollment, but more importantly provide opportunity for more people in the Mid-Ohio Valley to access higher education at an affordable cost,” President Gnage said following the meeting.
Underwood acknowledged that many out of state students are already taking advantage of lower tuition rates through reciprocity agreements but added, “our goal would be to recruit students in those areas who would not already qualify for reciprocity.”
Dr. Mensah said that the financial audit for fiscal year 2010 – 2011 should be available for review in October. Dr. Mensah reported the university’s operating budget was roughly $21 million dollars with 57 percent of that going towards employee compensation.
It was also reported that the university claimed a $1.05 million dollar surplus for the 2010 – 2011 fiscal year. This money is placed in the university’s reserve fund, which currently stands at approximately $8.6 million dollars.