PRESIDENT KOCH REPORTS ON STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY TO CLASSIFIED AND HOURLY STAFF

President James V. Koch spoke on everything from pay raises to parking at his annual address to classified and hourly staff Oct. 27.

Following up on remarks by Glenda Humphreys, director of the Human Resources Department, who announced that HACE will sponsor a meeting Dec. 1 at which HRD representatives will discuss a study commissioned by the General Assembly to
look at classified pay rates and classifications, Koch said, "We're not sure how all that is going to come out, but if it comes out the way some people are talking, and has been done in other states, there will be a little bit more flexibility in classified pay scales, [including] broader bands so that there's more flexibility and maybe not quite so many classifications."

Currently there are 1,500 state classifications, and Koch said that number would likely be narrowed substantially as one outcome of the study. He added that one proposal from the study suggests a broader band for what an employee could earn
within a classification.

The president said that while the state economy is in good shape, it's hard to predict what the governor and the General Assembly will propose during the upcoming legislative session in the way of pay raises next year. "I'd be inclined to say that there are going to be some respectable raises, but we'll have to wait until January and February to see what happens."

On the subject of the University Village, the president said he is hopeful that by mid-spring Old Dominion will have the remaining properties in its possession that will allow it to proceed with construction of the Constant Convocation Center.

He referred to an Oct. 26 ruling in Norfolk Circuit Court that indicated the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority was essentially correct in designating certain properties as blighted in the area where the convocation center is to be built.

Ideally, construction on the project would begin sometime during the summer, with another two years for completion. Koch added that parking facilities associated with the center would add about 1,600 parking spaces on campus, after which another parking deck would be built near the current garage, adding another 600 spaces.

"We're going to be able to do this without increasing your parking fees," Koch told the group, point out that parking fees have gone up only 3 percent over the past five years.

Discussing TELETECHNET, Koch reported that in January, Old Dominion will deliver six academic programs, with fully streamed video, over the Internet. Ultimately, all 30 of the university's TELETECHNET classes will be offered in this manner,
he said.

In other matters, the president encouraged employees to write or call their representatives who win in the Nov. 2 elections, asking them to support higher education in general, and Old Dominion initiatives in particular.

While discussing the capital campaign, Koch said he was pleased with the support from the university community, and also from people in the community who have no Old Dominion affiliation. This strong support outside the university walls reflects well on those who work at Old Dominion, he said.

"You're really an important key, perhaps the most important key, to how it is that people evaluate us and how they think of us," Koch stated.

The president also encouraged employees to support and join the Hourly and Classified Employees Association. "Use HACE as kind of a sounding board to the administration, as a means to communicate what's on your mind."

In other remarks, Koch reminded employees of a company called Internet Access, through which they can get unlimited Internet access for $8.50 a month. The business has an office in the North Mall of Webb Center. He also mentioned that
employees in the market for a PC might want to check out the university Web site to read about an arrangement Old Dominion has with Dell Microcomputers, whereby they can purchase a computer at a special discount.