Bluefield State College
Board of Governors

M I N U T E S
February 19,  2004

Members Present: Mr. John Barnes, chair (via phone), Mr. Norris Kantor, Dr. Frank Ball,
   Mr. Michael Hanna, Mr. Daniel Frost, Ms. Ann Crowe, Mr. Jack Caffrey,
   Mr. Jeff Forlines   

Members Absent: Dr. Lyn Guy, The Reverend Garry Moore, Mr. Jack Stafford

Guests/Staff:  Dr. Albert Walker, Mr. Jim Nelson,  Mrs. Shelia Johnson,  Dr. Tom Eaves,
   Dr. David Perkins, Mr. Raphael Heaggans, Mr. Bruce Mutter, and
   Mrs. Vivian Sidote
   
 Mr. Kantor noted that Mr. Barnes, chair, would be participating by conference phone.  Mr. Kantor chaired the meeting.

Approval of Minutes

 Mr. Kantor asked for approval of the minutes of January 15, 2004.  Mr. Frost noted the following corrections: 1) line four should read classified, not nonclassified, positions; 2) a motion was made and seconded (NKantor/JStafford) to approve changing these positions to nonclassified and note that Mr. Frost voted against this motion; 3) in the seventh line it should note that Mr. Frost indicated that the college has not have lost several classified positions, and; 4) Mr. Frost indicated at the last meeting he discussed the issue of one position being advertised and two people being hired for the same position, another item that was not in the minutes.  With all corrections being made, a motion was made and seconded (FBall/DFrost) to approve minutes with corrections.  Motion carried.
 
Financial and Administrative Affairs

Tuition and Fees

 Mrs. Shelia Johnson distributed to Board members a draft summary of state appropriations of tuition and fees.  She reviewed this material and discussion followed. 

Campus-based and Reallocation

 Shelia said a committee is being put together to look at campus-based and reallocation projects.

Mahood Hall

 Shelia mentioned that, with the possibility that Mahood Hall may be used for student housing, a decision could be needed regarding where and how to relocate faculty and students currently using Mahood Hall for academic purposes.  Eight firms have responded to an “expression of interest” to develop proposals for the Mahood Hall initiative.  A committee comprised of Bruce Mutter, Peggy Turnbull, Burt Clark/SGA President, Clyde Harrison, Paul Rutherford, and Shelia Johnson interviewed five firms.  The firm recommended by the committee was Thompson and Litton and a contract has been approved.  She said the firm may be able to make a presentation to the Board at its March or April meeting.

Policy 25 and Policy 30

Policy 25 - Personnel Administration

 Dr. Aikens indicated he noticed that nonclassified employees are not listed in Section 2.  Shelia said nonclassified employees are addressed in Section 2.17.

 Mr. Caffrey indicated that there is a typographical error in 12.1, in which the word “appointed” was misspelled.  Shelia observed another error--specifically that in 6.1 last sentence, which should state that 37.5 hours will be established within a work week.

 Mr. Frost discussed 2.1.7 Nonclassified Employee.  Mr. Frost noted the line to be deleted says nonclassified shall not exceed four percent of the total number of employees at the institution and the line to be added states nonclassified employees shall not exceed ten percent of the total number of employees and an additional ten percent of the total number of employees may be placed in this category if the position is considered critical to the institution by the president.  Mr Frost mentioned if the policy stays as it is written, it would take away from the number of classified employee positions. He said, in checking with HEPC counsel Bruce Walker, that the total amount could be less but not more than the amount listed in the policy.  It is Mr. Frost’s recommendation that this be changed to no more than fifteen percent.  There was discussion following.   Mr. Kantor said there needs to be a motion and an amendment.  A motion was made and seconded (ACrowe/MHanna) to accept policy as presented.  Discussion followed.  An amendment was proposed (DFrost) to change the wording of  Policy 25, No. 2.1.7 to state fifteen percent instead of twenty percent.  Motion failed by a 7-1 vote.

Policy No. 30 - Reduced Tuition and Fee Program for State Residents Who Are At Least Sixty-Five Years of Age

 Ms. Crowe indicated on page two that all of the underlined information will be deleted and material highlighted will be added.  She reviewed the policy.  Mr. Kantor asked if there where other schools in the state that have a policy like this.  Ms. Crowe indicated there are two other schools.  A motion was made and seconded (ACrowe/JForlines) to approve policy as submitted.   Motion carried.
   
Academic and Student Affairs

Program Review

 Dr. Eaves indicated that he had placed in each Board member’s information packet a program review for the B.A. Humanities program.  He requested that Board members review this information, then vote on the matter at the March meeting.

Program Enrollment and Graduation Rates

 Dr. Eaves distributed material on enrollment and graduation rates going back to 1992 and reviewed the information. 
Summer Enrollment

 Dr. Eaves said the College is moving toward significantly increasing summer enrollment by expanding the number of courses offered.   The College is also increasing the number of evening courses offered.  During the current semester, the number of evening courses has increased by 67%.
    
Peer Funding

 Dr. Eaves mentioned that in talking with his colleagues there is a proposal to initiate institutional funding based upon peer institutions.

 Dr. Eaves answered questions from Board members.

Public Relations and Legislative Report

College Day

 Jim Nelson announced that on February 3, 2004, 22 students, faculty, staff, and administrators are scheduled to participate in the College Day at the Legislature program, an annual activity involving all state public and private colleges, advocating for support and positive change for higher education in West Virginia.

Update on Legislative Session

 Jim noted that the final day of the 2004 regular session is March 13. 

HB 4508

 Jim reviewed HB 4508 - which would allow colleges to offer graduate programs.

SB 448

 Jim provided a chronological historical background of SB 448 as follows:

February 4 - introduced to the Senate

February 10 - passed the Senate and was sent to the House and immediately referred to the House Education Committee.

February 11 - House Education Committee introduced a 241-page amendment that passed in the committee by a 21 to 2 vote.

February 12 - first reading in the House

February 13 - second reading in the House

February 13-17 - several amendments were proposed to the bill and where defeated at various times

February 18 - amendment passed in the House by a 66-27 vote with 7 abstentions.   The bill will be referred to the Senate Education Committee. 

 Dr. Aikens asked Jim to describe some of the issues that could arise with the implementation of SB 448.  Jim said one of the concerns is financial impact.  Mr. Kantor gave a detailed review of SB 448.  He  mentioned the following highlights: 1) the bill does not include any information on the fiscal impact of its implementation; 2) it created the possibility of BSC’s loss of high cost associate degree programs like engineering technology, radiologic technology, and nursing; 3) BSC is currently serving a student population whose average age is 28, thereby already achieving one of the rationales expressed for developing SB448; 4) passage of this bill and resulting creation of a community & technical college council will deepen a state budget deficit that is already $120 million; 5) the possibility that money could be diverted from baccalaureate components to support the establishment of the CTC Council, and; 6) the possibility that Title III-purchased equipment and positions underwritten by Title III at NRCTC would have to be returned to Bluefield State College.

Enrollment Management

 Jim distributed information and presented the enrollment report in the absence of John Cardwell, enrollment management director.  The spring semester FTE enrollment as of February 19 is 2858 and headcount enrollment was 3073.   There was an extended discussion that followed.

New River Community & Technical College

 Anne Crowe made a motion that because of emerging legislative activities that can impact New River Community & Technical College and its relationship to BSC, that the NRCTC report be tabled until the next Board meeting.  Jeff Forlines seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

Multicultural Affairs

 Dr. Raphael Heaggans gave a powerpoint presentation on the College’s multicultural activities.
 
Institutional Development
 
Wade School

Dr. Walker indicated he notified Mercer County Schools that Bluefield State College is not
interested in the Wade School property at this time.

AEP

 Dr Walker said Marshall Miller and Associates will conduct an environmental study at the AEP building in Bluefield.

Annual Fund Raising

 
 Dr. Walker introduced Mr. Mark Oblinger, Director of Development.  Mr. Oblinger reported that he is working on an annual raising project.  Brochures will be sent out to 10,000 graduates.  This initiative is being underwritten by a private donation. 

 He also noted that a fund raising phoneathon will be conducted in April.

 Mr. Frost asked Mr. Oblinger to explain the duties of the College’s other Director of Development.   Mark said his position  deals with the Bluefield  State College Foundation and the other position works with the Research Development Corporation.

 Mr. Kantor mentioned the NIP program.

President’s Report

 Dr. Walker delivered a power-point presentation on the number activities that took place since the last meeting.

 Dr. Walker mentioned that Dr. Tom Blevins would give a demonstration on the BSC streaming audio radio station at the next Board meeting.

Executive Session

 A motion was made and seconded (LAikens/MHanna) to enter executive session at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried.

 A motion was made and seconded (FBall/ACrowe) to move back into regular session at 10:15.  Motion carried.

Meeting Date

 The next meeting of the Bluefield State College Board of Governors will be held on March 18, 2004, at 6:45 p.m. in the Hebert Gallery/Harris-Jefferson Student Center.

 With no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,