CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The House Education Committee has passed and sent to the floor legislation designed to streamline personnel decisions by state colleges and universities. West Virginia University is leading the fight for HB 2542 to give higher education institutions more flexibility on hiring and firing practices.
According to an information sheet circulated by WVU, the changes “are designed to empower institutions with more authority relating to personnel decisions on their campuses.”
Higher ed has seen significant state funding reductions over the last several years, but colleges and universities argue they are hamstrung when it comes to making personnel changes to try to save money. Governor Justice’s proposed budget for next fiscal year cuts WVU and Marshall by another 4.4 percent. WVU has been cut by $35 million since 2011 (including Justice’s reductions for next year).
One of the more controversial provisions of the bill provision gives colleges greater discretion when layoffs are necessary, taking into account job performance and skill set. Currently, those decisions are tightly regulated by state code, giving senior employees added protections.
House Education Committee Chairman Paul Espinosa (R-Jefferson) says the bill would eliminate “bumping” and recall rights and enable institutions to look more closely at the qualifications of the individuals.
The bill now goes before the full House.