WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 9, 2023 — West Liberty University’s Board of Governors met today for a special 4 p.m. meeting in historic Shaw Hall.
After calling the meeting to order and taking roll call, Chairman Rich Lucas moved to the only agenda item requiring a vote.
That action item is the approval of employee salary increases based on Gov. Jim Justice’s 2023 appropriation.
According to Chief Human Resource Officer Diana Harto the following is an explanation of the salary increase item:
“The state increase of $359,168 to WLU’s General Fund intended for salary increases shall be distributed in the following manner: Faculty and staff in a regular employment status, who are employed on or before May 1, 2023 with a full-time equivalent (FTE) of .53 and above shall receive $1,230, prorated according to FTE. The increase is effective July 1, 2023. Senior administration (President Cabinet members) are excluded.”
The action item was discussed.
Member Richard Carter suggested that the university should find the additional money to bring the salary increase up to the level of $2,300, which is the amount announced by the Governor last January.
“We can’t shortchange employees anymore,” Carter said.
Chairman Lucas agreed to add this suggestion of finding additional funds to complete a $2,300 salary increase to a future discussion item.
He then proceeded to ask for a vote on the $1,230 salary increase, currently on the table. This action item passed unanimously.
The board then moved to enter Executive Session so that further discussion can be held on the matter of the Presidential Search Conclusion. Executive Session for this search discussion began at 4:15 p.m. and ended at 5:17 p.m.
One action item resulted from the Executive Session, below:
“The Board of Governors of WLU authorizes Board Chairman Rich Lucas and Executive Committee Adams and Evick to finalize negotiations and secure a contract of employment with the Board of Governors selection to be our next president.”
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Four final candidates for WLU president have visited campus over the past few weeks, Dr. Tim Borchers, vice president for Academic Affairs at Peru State College (Neb); Dr. David Christiansen, chancellor of Penn State York since August 1, 2018; Dr. Kelly Ryan, interim chancellor of Indiana University (IU) Southeast since July 2022; Dr. Robert T. Smith, provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of mathematics at Valdosta State University (Ga).
The board employed a professional search firm, AGB Search, to assist them in the hiring of the 38th President and an announcement is expected soon on the final candidate.
The final selection for president is made by the WLU Board of Governors which then forwards the name to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) for its seal of approval. WLU hopes to have a president on board sometime in late spring, with an expected date of contract to begin July 1, 2023.
A special meeting of the Board of Governors is planned for 9 a.m., Friday, May 12, 2023. (Read more at westliberty.edu/bog)
NOTE: Not in attendance at today’s Special Board of Governors Meeting were: Jamie Evick and Stephanie Shaw. For a complete list of BOG members, please click here.