Members discussing ideas for the future. Photo by Temi Adeleye
The WCU Board of Trustees had several meetings discussing and voting on proposals for the future of students, staff and faculty yesterday, Sept.3.
During the meeting that focused on academic affairs and the personnel the board members discussed changes in the wages of staff, retention rates and improvements to student learning. They also heard reports from WCU administration.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Cory Causby, spoke on a proposal by the Department of labor that may affect the wages of staff members in athletics, residential living and academic advisers etc. The proposal is about the eligibility for exemption from overtime regulations which would allow for an increase of the minimum salary threshold and with 159 positions not subject to overtime at WCU, the implementation of time sheets is being discussed.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Dr. Lowell Davis, discussed the retention rate of students and the role of organizations on campus to help make that possible. The record retention rate for this year increased by 2.2 percent compared to last year’s rate, or 80 percent of the last year freshmen class returned to WCU.
Director of SACSCOC Reaffirmation, Arthur Salido, spoke on the plans for improvement on student learning.
“This is about continuous improvement. Not just doing something because we’re asked. That’s why our last QEP topic had an impact,” Salido said.
Provost Alison Morrison Shetlar announced that the department of Modern foreign languages changed the name to Department of World languages.
The board will bring all reports together when they meet for discussion with Chancellor Belcher today, Sept. 4.
