LEGISLATIVE MANDATE:

During the 2005 West Virginia Legislative session, Senator Robert Plymale led the charge in passing Senate Bill 603, §18B-1B-13. The Personnel Study, as it is referred as, was enacted to study the issues affecting employees in public higher education. The purpose of the legislation is to require the Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and the Council for Community and Technical College Education (CCTCE) to jointly establish, control, supervise, and manage a complete, uniform system of personnel classification for all employees including faculty, non-classified employees, and classified employees at state institutions of higher education. This complete, uniform, comprehensive, and integrated system must address the need for flexibility for the administrators, the need for accountability for the employees, and the need for fiscal responsibility for both the Legislature and the institutions.

In consultation with the CCTCE, governing boards, State Advisory Council of Faculty, and State Advisory Council of Classified Employees, HEPC shall conduct a study relating to issues affecting employees in public higher education. This legislative mandate was given to the Vice Chancellor for Administration for both HEPC and CCTCE. Along with the Human Resources Administrator, Counsel, and the Project Coordinator, the Vice Chancellor has conducted studies, established a personnel study committee, developed a strategic plan with goals and objectives, and created committees to address each of the eight tasks as set forth by the Legislature.