Minutes

Concord College Board of Governors

(via teleconference)

September 5, 2001

4:00 p.m. 

PRESENT:

Dr. Jerry L. Beasley

BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

Mr. James M. Brown, Chairperson

Mrs. Margaret Sayre, Vice Chairperson

Mr. James L. Miller, Secretary

Mr. Daniel Dunmyer

Mr. Wayne Meisel

Mr. R. T. "Ted" Rogers

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES:

Dr. Charles Brichford, Faculty Representative

Mrs. Linda Martin, Classified Representative

Mr. Matthew Jozik, Student Representative

OTHERS:

Mr. James Cannon, Vice President for Business and Finance

Mrs. Debbie Curry, Vice President for Student Affairs; Director of Human Resources; Legal Counsel

Mr. Michael Curry, Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid

Dr. J. Douglas Machesney, Vice President for Development

Dr. William O’Brien, Director of the Concord College Beckley Center

ABSENT:

Mr. Eugene Fife

Mr. J. Franklin Long

The principal reason for the teleconference was to discuss and approve recommendations for salary increases for faculty and staff at Concord College.

In response to a question asked by Mr. Rogers for a definition and example of classified and non-classified positions, Dr. Beasley said that examples of non-classified staff are Cabinet officers, computer center director, athletic director. Examples of classified staff include custodial, security, administrative assistants, and some management positions, e.g. manager of the College Center.

Dr. Beasley told members of the Board that the Chancellor and his legal counsel have the right to review salary recommendations, but it is the responsibility of the Board of Governors to set salaries.

Continuing, Dr. Beasley said that there is much uncertainty regarding implementation of salary increases. The administration is recommending a 3.5 percent increase for non-classified professionals with satisfactory evaluations; for faculty, a 3.5 percent salary pool that would be administered through the existing faculty pay plan; and, a 3.5 percent increase for classified employees. Classified staff expects the College to meet the target of the mandated salary schedule. Discussions regarding salary increases for non-classified staff will begin immediately. The budget will be impacted by fringe benefits, costing around four percent, according to the College’s business office. The Compact calls for a 3.5 percent salary increase predicated on a five percent increase in tuition and fees, but the state limited the fee increase to four percent.

Responding to Chairperson Brown’s question about the College’s ability to afford the proposed raises, Dr. Beasley said that the College is looking at a variety of other sources for the money, principally fund raising.

Dr. Brichford asked about the College’s long-range plans for salary increases, and asked for identification of the plan to be submitted on November 1. In response, Dr. Beasley reported that from the last presidents’ meeting that he attended, concern was expressed over funding for the colleges. There is an effort to earmark funds for change agendas, specifically community college and research. Any funding plan, Dr. Beasley continued, should be contingent on state funding and tuition and fees. Dr. Beasley told the Board that directions for updating the Compact are expected by Friday, September 7.

In response to a question from Dr. Brichford about distribution of incremental pay, Mr. Cannon clarified that the increment stops at 20 years service as mandated by law. Dr. Beasley noted that incremental pay is not afforded to faculty, but typically there are at least three to five faculty members who are promoted per year, and those people are not included in the 3.5 percent increase.

Mrs. Martin noted that classified staff members are on the Mercer Pay Scale, and asked whether there was a concern that the percentage increase would unbalance that scale. Dr. Beasley responded that over time the College would have to look at different impact studies. One solution would be to set a cap on a pool of 3.5 percent, and distribute across the pay plan. The problem with dealing with this immediately lies in transmitting the paperwork to Charleston by the established deadline of September 10.

Clearly two things have to be addressed: 1) where people currently are on the pay scale; and, 2) the expectation that all are brought up to the new pay schedule.

Currently, Mrs. Martin continued, there are 37 people who are below equity on the schedule. Dr. Beasley responded that the College has four years to bring those people up to equity, and that in the short run, new employees may be compensated more, but that would be addressed. Mrs. Martin asked if there is a deadline for employees who have been at the College for 10 years. Dr. Beasley said that there has been consideration about what the impact would be on the other employees, and that current estimates are that it would cost around $1 million to bring classified staff to equity, and that it may mean that faculty would have to forego raises. Chancellor Mullen and state college presidents agree that the schedule is a target and not a mandate.

Mrs. Martin stated that the faculty is at 95 percent of their peers in regard to salary; classified staff is 25 percent below the market value. If this is not a deadline to fully fund the schedule, then what is the deadline?

Dr. Brichford said that the faculty is happy with the 3.5 percent raise; the faculty is not losing ground.

Mr. Dunmyer asked if there is a game plan. Dr. Beasley responded that the College will come back to the Board with a set of proposals, and that the Compact is due by November 1, 2001.

Chairperson Brown asked the Board for input.

Mr. Dunmyer moved that the Concord College Board of Governors approve the 3.5 percent salary increase as proposed. The move was seconded by Mr. Rogers, and approved by a voice vote.

Dr. Beasley provided the Board with updated enrollment figures. The College’s enrollment is close to last year’s figures at this same time. The five-year Compact projects flat enrollment. The College has registered 2,805 with payments received from 2,565 as of this date (September 5), with many off-campus students unaccounted for at this point. A formal report will be provided to the Higher Education Policy Commission on November 1, and the numbers could possibly change between now and that date. Mrs. Martin said that we have 1,066 students in the residence halls this year compared to 1,087 at this time last year. The capacity is 1,150. Dr. Beasley clarified that this number assumes doubles and triples in some instances, and that Housing encourages some students to live off-campus.

In response to Mr. Brown’s question about the College’s rule requiring freshmen to live on campus, Dr. Beasley said that freshmen are required to live on-campus; seniors are encouraged to live off-campus. Mrs. Martin added that there are several apartments in the Athens area to accommodate those desiring to live off-campus.

Dr. Beasley announced to the Board that the scheduled meeting on October 17 is an organizational meeting. Debbie Curry is currently working on by-laws for the Board of Governors.

Dr. Brichford inquired about committee assignments, and asked to serve on the budget committee. Dr. Beasley stated that all meetings are open, that the by-laws provide that committees elect chairs and hold the meetings prior to regular Board meetings.

Dr. Brichford commented that the conference call meeting was a good idea from a convenience and resource standpoint, but pointed out that the President’s Cabinet was sitting in on the meeting, but faculty and staff were not included. Dr. Brichford asked that faculty and staff be included in the future. Dr. Beasley thanked Dr. Brichford for the suggestion, and said that the College would indeed include those mentioned in the future.

Mr. Brown asked about a facility that would accommodate a larger group, and Dr. Brichford suggested that the videoconference room would be a good alternative, which has approximately 30 seats.

Dr. Machesney reminded Board members that the College will host the Higher Education Policy Commission on Friday, October 19. A dinner is planned to honor the Commission, and Board members are invited to attend.

Mrs. Sayre asked about the current vacancy on the College’s Board of Governors for a superintendent of schools. Dr. Beasley told the Board that he has talked with Secretary Goodwin and suggested that given the gender distribution on our current Board that the appointee should be female. The College continues to wait to hear from the Secretary’s office about the vacancy on the Concord Board of Governor’s.

There being no further business, Chairperson Brown adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

James L. Miller, Secretary

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