Volume 23, Number 6 – April 2, 2008
WVU, WVU Extension Fare Well in Legislative Session
Open enrollment announced for PEIA, FBMC Mountaineer Flexible Benefits
Mill’s Historic Area to Participate in National Park Day
WVU Extension Revises ‘What’s New’ Section of Web Sites
Technology Order Deadline Is April 11
Registration Open for Women & Money Conference in Morgantown
Summers County Open House Attracts 70 Participants
Meeting Notes
People and Places
Selected Program Planning and Reporting Dates for
2008
By Dave Miller, Associate Provost and Director
One of the questions I was asked during my interviews for the position of associate provost and director was how was I going to work for WVU and Extension at the same time.
My answer was that they are together, or the same identity.
If you look at this year’s legislative results, I believe you will notice that the University did very well and so did Extension.
I believe that we are well-accepted by the University’s administrators and they realize the importance of WVU Extension as the University’s outreach arm. I believe that our relationship with WVU administration can only benefit Extension.
Legislators did some serious work on strengthening WVU’s budget, setting aside funds for capital improvements, and giving the University more flexibility to meet future staffing needs. The Legislature added more than $8 million to the University’s base budget.
The budget bill provided new funding for some WVU Extension-related line items. WVU Jackson’s Mill will receive $500,000 for infrastructure improvements and $250,000 for the Mill’s arena building. The Reedsville Farm’s arena and outreach program are slated to receive $200,000.
The University’s budget—covering the main Morgantown campus and the health sciences and regional campuses—was increased by about 5.4 percent. “A substantial part of this is in the unrestricted budget and will be available for pay raises,” said WVU President Mike Garrison. The University will need to supplement this from other sources to implement a pay raise this year, but Garrison said that this remains a high priority.
“Every dollar invested into WVU by the state returns $19 of economic activity in the state. It is the people of WVU—faculty, staff, and administrators—who generate this tremendous return to the state, and we must invest in those people to reward, retain, and recruit within what is fast becoming a very competitive job market. We will be reviewing a 2008-09 salary plan with our Board of Governors this spring,” Garrison said.
The legislature also raised staff and faculty longevity pay from $50 per year of service to $60. Lawmakers also removed a 6 percent cap on retirement matching that prevented WVU from offering retirement benefits competitive with other national research universities.
Most of the public attention on higher education during the session was on Gov. Joe Manchin’s “Bucks for Brains” proposal, which sailed through both houses with strong bipartisan support. The legislation created a $50 million research endowment, with 70 percent of it slated for WVU. The money can be tapped only when matched dollar-for-dollar with private gifts. WVU is moving quickly to raise $35 million to match its share of the fund.
For more details, select the news release “Legislative session good for WVU, Garrison says” on the intranet (http://intranet.wvu.edu/).
The open enrollment period for health insurance benefits for the 2008-09 plan year will run until April 30. Coverage in the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and the Fringe Benefits Management Company (FBMC) plans will begin July 1.
Here are some of the highlights:
Shopper’s Guides will be mailed soon to employees’ home addresses. Employees will not receive a hard copy of their PEIA transfer form. If you want to make changes to your PEIA health insurance plan or to your Mountaineer Flexible Benefits Plan, or you have a change in tobacco usage status, you must submit the appropriate forms or enroll online by the April 30 deadline. No forms will be accepted after that date for open enrollment purposes.
Check the Web (www.hr.wvu.edu/benefits/2008-2009openenrollment/index.cfm) to review information about open enrollment.
The Historic Area at WVU Jackson’s Mill will open its 2008 season by participating in Park Day, Saturday, April 5. The 10th annual day is a national hands-on historic preservation event created by the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT).
Volunteers are needed to help with such tasks as picking up tree limbs and performing general cleaning and maintenance to get the Historic Area ready for a busy summer season. Work clothes would be the appropriate dress.
Park Day was created by the CWPT to assist local groups with the maintenance of Civil War sites. Although Jackson’s Mill is not a Civil War battlefield, cemetery, or shrine, its status as the boyhood home of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson has earned it a place on the Civil War Discovery Trail. The national cleanup day is underwritten with a grant from the History Channel.
For more information about Park Day activities at the Historic Area at WVU Jackson’s Mill, call (304) 269-5100, send an e-mail (jmill@wvu.edu), or visit the Web site (jacksonsmill.wvu.edu).
The revised “What’s New” section on the opening pages of WVU Extension’s Internet and intranet sites has started featuring the organization’s community-focused work.
The first community-focused previews spotlight:
To see the timely What’s New section, just visit the Internet site (www.wvu.edu/~exten/) or the intranet site (http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/); select “What’s New” on the home page.
We need your help in finding timely, informative details to post. To make a suggestion, simply contact Florita Montgomery (Florita.Montgomery@mail.wvu.edu).
Don’t forget that Friday, April 11, is the deadline for ordering desktops, notebooks, projectors, and other peripherals through the Office of Technology (OT). What's the cost share percentage? We won’t know until all orders are in.
Check the Web (http://technology.ext.wvu.edu/support/purchasing/bulk_order_2008) for more details. If you wish to place an order, send your request via e-mail (ExtensionTechnology@mail.wvu.edu). Order confirmations will be sent after April 11.
Currently, OT has orders from 23 counties and eight state units.
The Women & Money Conference, organized by West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue, will be held in three cities this year:
Register for the Morgantown session by calling (304) 341-0724 or visiting the Web site (www.wvtreasury.com) and selecting the Women & Money logo. Registration for the Huntington and Parkersburg sessions will begin in June.
The conference will feature a choice of concurrent workshops on retirement planning and credit history and a two-hour presentation by keynote speaker Dee Lee.
Each session will include a continental breakfast and luncheon. Financial services exhibitors will be on hand to explain their services and products.
The conferences are funded by sponsorships provided through the West Virginia Financial Education Foundation.
More than 70 people attended the recent WVU Extension Open House in Summers County to find out more about the variety of programs that Extension has to offer.
The event was held in the auditorium of the Summers County Memorial Building, where the Extension Office is located. The auditorium had enough space for all the agents and staff to set up tables to showcase WVU Extension’s many programs.
Rick Moorefield gathered names of people wanting a copy of the city strategic plan; he also recruited community volunteers and promoted the John Henry Park program.
David Richmond gave out soil test kits, Master Gardener information, and WVU Extension Garden Calendars. He also answered a variety of questions and talked with several people about the Farmland Protection program.
Terrill Smith recruited people for the “A New You” program, answered several questions about diabetes and Dining with Diabetes classes, and handed out samples of diabetic foods. Beth Plumley prepared and provided healthy snacks, including fruit and cheese kabobs and trail mix.
Andi Bennett promoted the 4-H recycling program and project books. She created a partnership with the Greenbrier Academy for Girls to become an active 4-H club. 4-H’s silent auction raised $375 to go toward 4-H camp expenses. Misty Graham helped ensure that everything ran smoothly.
WVU Extension aprons made nifty door prizes, and Mountaineer stickers and fans were a big hit.
The Summers County Chamber of Commerce partnered with Extension to host the event as part of the chamber’s “Business After Five” program and helped with the invitations, advertising, and mailings that went out for the event. Extension sent invitations to schools, civic clubs, and Extension clients and put an article in the local newspaper.
“We were very pleased with 70 attendees,” said Andi Bennett. “For a small town, that is a lot of people!” She estimated that about 40 of them were unfamiliar with what Extension does. Two county commissioners and the mayor participated. Andi appeared on CBS-59 News that night.
… A series of five regional meetings has been scheduled for everyone in the organization this spring. Both faculty and staff should attend one of the half-day sessions. Watch your e-mail for more details, including locations, times, and the agenda. The schedule is as follows:
… All four candidates for the W.Va. Commissioner of Agriculture position will participate in a public discussion forum from 6 to 8 p.m. April 30 in Room 1021 South Agricultural Sciences Building on the Evansdale Campus in Morgantown. A reception will follow. Tell your friends, family, and community members they’re welcome to attend. The event is sponsored by the WVU Collegiate Farm Bureau. The four candidates are Lawrence Beckerle, Wayne Casto, Gus Douglass, and Mike Teets.
… Dave Miller and his wife, Barbara, are inviting all employees to bring their families to their farm Saturday, May 10. WVU Extension Service Family Day will begin at 10 a.m.—rain or shine—at the Mountain Diamond Farm near Tunnelton. There will be food, beverages, music, and outdoor fun for folks of all ages. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs. If you plan to attend, you may reserve your spot by calling Brenda Aldridge at (304) 293-5691 or sending her an e-mail (Brenda.Aldridge@mail.wvu.edu) by Friday, May 2. Another way to register is to fill out a guest registration form on the
Web (https://wvu-extension.dabbledb.com/page/associateprovostdirector/iVRtaaoE). You’ll be e-mailed a copy of your submission along with a link, in case you want to update the registration information.
… Extension retirees and friends will meet Tuesday, May 13, and Wednesday, May 14, at WVU Jackson’s Mill for their annual Spring Fling. Following registration Tuesday afternoon, the group will enjoy a cookout at the Jubilee Pavilion and an ice cream social at Jackson Lodge. Wednesday will feature updates by Extension agents and administrators on programs and Mill renovations. The group will board wagons to tour the facilities. Those planning to participate should send their registration form (included in the March retiree newsletter) to Ancil Schmidt by Friday, April 18. Ancil and Linda Schmidt and Ed and Marjorie Rapking planned this year’s event.
… Faculty and Staff Changes
Andrea Parsons joined the organization March 24 as a program coordinator with Families and Health Programs. Working with specialists, she will manage events and support various conferences and programs. Most recently, Andrea was a national account executive for nearly two years with Apple Rock Advertising in High Point, N.C. She also worked for Crate and Barrel in Austin, Texas, as a department manager. Andrea has previous WVU experience as a special events assistant with the Office of Events Management. An advertising major, she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from WVU in 2002.
Linda Waybright retired March 31 after serving for more than 16 years as Extension agent responsible for families and health programs in Jackson County. Linda received a bachelor’s degree in vocational home economicsfrom WVU in 1967 and a master’s degree in guidance andcounseling from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in 1975. Before joining WVU Extension, she had been a schoolteacher in Mason, Kanawha, and Webster counties and a middle school guidance counselor in Jackson County. Linda and her husband, Dick, live on a small farm near Ravenswood. Their daughter, Cinda, and her husband, Paul, and their three sons also live in Jackson County—close enough to help the Waybrights with gardening chores. Their other daughter, Cheryl, and her husband, Tim, live in Putnam County; they will have their first child this summer—providing Linda with a granddaughter to spoil. Linda is looking forward to getting off the Extension merry-go-round and having more time to spend with family and friends and to volunteer for church activities. She also plans do more reading, sewing, and gardening—hobbies from her past. In the last Jackson County Extension newsletter, she wrote: “Wow!! What a ride!!!! The past 16 years and 8 months have been filled with a plethora of opportunities to work with such genuine people and become friends at the same time.” She feels the same about her Extension colleagues. “Many have become some of my best friends and are truly like ‘family,’” she said.
…Have You Heard?
Leann George, and her husband, Jason, had their first baby March 27. Braxton Jace weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces. He is the grandson of the late Dottie Jones, an Extension agent in Pendleton and Tucker counties in the 1980s.
Jennifer Lipscomb and her husband, Hollis, welcomed their son to the world March 29. Daniel Ryan weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Congratulations may be sent to the proud parents at 302 Center Street, Elkins WV 26241.
Two graduate students working with Families and Health Programs will be married April 9. The bride-to-be is Sahitya Mallipeddi and the groom-to-be is Raghu Maddela. They both are from India. The wedding will take place at the home of Raghu’s sister in Anniston, Ala. Raghu will graduate in May and start a three-year residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in New York, N.Y., June 19.
Jean Woloshuk’s career highlights and honors were featured on the first page of a recent issue of Ag Ed News and Views, a newsletter of the WVU Agricultural and Extension Education Department. The article, accompanied by Jean’s photo, focused on the meritorious service award she received in 2007 from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. She earned many other honors during her 30-year career, including Gamma Sigma Delta Extension Faculty Award of Merit, Honorary State FFA Degree, West Virginia 4-H Hall of Fame, and WVU Extension Outstanding Resource Development.
A slide show of highlights from “Our Day at the West Virginia Legislature” can be viewed from the event homepage (www.wvu.edu/~exten/wvues_day/).
… In Memoriam
Neil C. Crow, grandfather of Lisa Summers, died March 22. His funeral was March 26 in Moundsville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview United Methodist Church, c/o Ruth Ann Crow, RR 5 Box 306, Moundsville WV 26041. Cards may be sent to Lisa and Jayson Summers, RR 2, Box 176 A, Moundsville WV 26041.
Ruth Ward, mother of Barbara Wolfe, died March 24. Her funeral was March 27 in Philippi. Condolences may be sent to Barb and Stanley Wolfe at RR 3 Box 182, Philippi WV 26416.
… To Our Good Health
A little goes a long way when it comes to almonds, which—ounce for ounce—are the most nutrient-dense nut. A 1-ounce serving of almonds (about 23) is an excellent source of vitamin E and magnesium and a good source of protein and fiber. That serving also provides potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and monounsaturated fat—giving you a lot of nutritional bang for only 160 calories.
— from Paula Strawder
Selected Program Planning and Reporting
Dates for 2008
May 15, 2008 |
Written requests due from faculty members who want to be considered for promotion and/or tenure. Send letter requesting consideration for promotion and/or tenure to Program Unit Director. |
**************************************************************************************
Our Continuing Mission . . .
The mission of the West Virginia University Extension Service is to form learning partnerships with the people of West Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities. To these partnerships, we bring useful research- and experience-based knowledge that facilitates critical thinking and skill development.
**************************************************************************************
Extension Focus is a publication of the Office of the Associate Provost for Extension and Public Service. News items should be sent to the Office of Communications, 506 Knapp Hall, P.O. Box 6031, Morgantown, WV 26506-6031.
Issues of Focus are archived on Extension's Intranet
http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/intouch/orgnews/focus/focus.htm
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University
Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color,
sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, national
origin, and marital or family status.
Submitted by Joyce Bower.
