West Virginia Universitys Board of Governors on Thursday (April 23) approved two draft agreements with WVU at Parkersburga memorandum of understanding outlining the two schools educational relationship and a trademark licensing agreement which allows WVU at Parkersburg to retain the WVU name and indicia for two years, with the opportunity to extend beyond that commitment. A third agreement related to staff and services is still under review and discussion.


Meeting by conference call, the Board also approved three draft agreements with the Community and Technical College at the WVU Institute of Technologya memorandum of understanding, a document dealing with the division of assets and liabilities and one regarding proposed services.


State lawmakers last year established a new system for two-year colleges, and we are judiciously following that obligation,Board Chair Carolyn Long said.The arrangements approved today follow many hours of healthy discussions and research on the part of all three institutions and in the end are what we feelas a Boardare in the best operational and fiduciary interests of the institution that we govern.


She added,WVU has said all along that we would be very pleased to maintain positive and cooperative relationships with both the Parkersburg and Montgomery campuses, and through these agreements, that is our intention. They now go to the respective boards at WVU at Parkersburg and Techs CTC for consideration.


Interim WVU President C. Peter Magrath spoke to the impact of the WVU name and trademarks.


They are valuable assets subject to not only state but federal laws,he said.It would be a serious mistake for us to compromise this incredible and important trademark that we have.


Magrath emphasized that he would be opposed to expanding the agreement indefinitely and recommended to the Board that it approve the draft agreements as written.


The agreements between WVU and WVU at Parkersburg call for certain administrative and support services to continuefor a reasonable, customary feein the areas of human resources, finance, facilities, budget, technology, social justice and others. WVU also agrees to pay market value fees for services such as facilities usage, staff support and technical services.


The trademark licensing agreement allows Parkersburg to use WVU -owned and registered designs, names, trademarks, service marks and official colors on merchandise and in marketing/ advertising with approval of WVU s Office of Trademark Licensing. The two-year contract can be renewed by mutual consent.


In agreements between WVU and the CTC , the community college will discontinue use of WVU trademarks and agrees to pay appropriate fees for WVU administrative and support services such as student housing, dining services, career services, library services, facilities usage and more. WVU will transfer certain property to the CTC , including Davis and Westmoreland halls and certain vehicles.


A law enacted last July established a statewide network of independently accredited community and technical colleges, including WVU Parkersburg and Techs CTC , and removed WVU s governance responsibility for both schools. New boards of governors were established at these institutions.


The legislation did, however, allow WVU to continue an association with these campuses through the establishment of formal agreements outlining services, actions and other details. The deadline for these agreements is July 1.


Alumni Center Park gets green light


In other action, the Board approved construction of a park at the corner of University Avenue and Van Voorhis Road in the green space adjacent to the new Erickson Alumni Center.


The naming of the park is in recognition of alumnus Ray Lanes $1 million donation toward the project. Raymond J. Lane Park will include a pedestrian bridge across the ponds, plants, landscaping and benches. The area will accommodate large and small gatherings and provide scenic photo opportunities.


The new Erickson Alumni Center is a fantastic resource and facility for WVU and its alumni,Magrath said.It is now being enhanced with a beautiful park setting that is going to be renamed for Ray Lanean outstanding WVU alumnus, valuable member of the Board of Governors and someone whose moral, intellectual and financial contributions are profoundly appreciated by all of us.


The budget for the project is approximately $1.4 million, with $400,000 coming from University capital funds. It is expected to get under way this fall.


Lane is also contributing an additional $500,000 to help defray costs of construction of the Alumni Center. In recognition of this separate gift, the BOG approved naming the roadway from University Avenue to the Alumni Center, One Ray Lane.


Ray Lane continues to carry on his long-standing commitment to WVU ,said Stephen L. Douglas, president and chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association.Lane Park will be a wonderful addition to the WVU campus. It will not only enhance the surroundings of our alumni center, but also will provide a beautiful green space for alumni, students and visitors to enjoy.


A 1968 graduate of WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Lane helped make Oracle Corp. one of the nations leading software developers. He is currently managing partner in the venture capital firm of Kleiner Perkins Caufield&Byers.


WVU alumni are exceptional people. They are recognized worldwide as the most ardent supporters of any university on the planet,Lane said.Now, with most modern alumni center on the planet, accompanied with this beautiful alumni park, we can work even harder to make WVU a University with no peer.


Lane chaired the WVU FoundationsBuilding Greatnesscapital campaign several years ago, and he and his wife, Stephanie, made a $5 million contribution to the WVU Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, which was named in their honor.


In addition to serving on the BOG , he was inducted into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 1997 and the Order of Vandalia in 2004. He received an honorary doctorate of science from WVU in 2002 and is a former member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors.