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Powers & Duties

On July 1, 2001, the West Virginia University Board of Governors became the governing body for West Virginia University, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and Potomac State College of West Virginia University. In 2004 the West Virginia Legislature made the Community & Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology a free standing institution and placed them under the governance of the West Virginia University Board of Governors. On July 1, 2005, Potomac State College became a fully integrated campus of West Virginia University. On July 1, 2007, West Virginia University Institute of Technology became a fully integrated campus of West Virginia University. By legislation made effective July 1, 2008, the Community & Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology and West Virginia University at Parkersburg became free-standing institutions under the governance of their own respective Boards of Governors. The same legislation, however, requires the University to maintain an association with those formerly linked institutions for the purpose of coordinating the delivery of certain academic programs and the continued provision of administrative functions. Hereafter, use of the term “West Virginia University” includes by definition, Potomac State College of West Virginia University and West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

The powers and duties of the West Virginia University Board of Governors include:

  1. The control, supervision and management of the financial, business, and education policies and affairs of West Virginia University;

  2. The development and regular updating of institutional master plans and compacts for West Virginia University and the filing of same with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission;

  3. The preparation of annual budget requests for West Virginia University, which relate directly to the mission, goals, and projections as found in the institutional master plans and the institutional compacts;

  4. The review, at least every five years, of all academic programs offered at West Virginia University.  Included in this review is assurance of course transferability, proper sequencing of courses to allow graduation in a timely manner, and meeting the needs of nontraditional college-age students;

  5. The approval of teacher education programs offered at West Virginia University;

  6. The management of all personnel matters, including, but not limited to, employment, classification, compensation, and discipline for employees of West Virginia University;

  7. The solicitation and management of voluntary support, including financial contributions and support services, for West Virginia University;

  8. The appointment of the president of West Virginia University, subject to the approval of the Policy Commission;

  9. The evaluation of performance for the president and divisional campus presidents of West Virginia University;

  10. Entering into contracts or consortium agreements with the public schools, private schools, or private industry to provide technical, vocational, college preparatory, remedial, and customized training courses;

  11. Providing and transferring funds & property to certain agencies or institutions under their jurisdiction;

  12. The delegation of power and control over the business affairs of the institution to the president or other administrative head of the institution, as permitted by state law, in any case where it considers the delegation necessary and prudent in order to enable the institution to function in a proper and expeditious manner and to meet the requirements of its institutional compact. (The delegation currently granted may be viewed at:  Delegation Resolution)

  13. The establishment of a computer and computer equipment donation program;

  14. The concentration of attention and resources on certain specific state priorities as described in state law; and,

  15. Continue to provide certain administrative services to the West Virginia University at Parkersburg subject to and consistent with the requirements of the relevant law and regulations.