West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 135 - Community And Technical College Education
West Virginia Code of State Rules – Agency 135: Community and Technical College Education
Overview:
Agency 135 of the West Virginia Code of State Rules (CSR) governs the policies and procedures of the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (CTCS). This agency oversees the state's community and technical colleges, providing regulatory authority over academic programming, administrative standards, faculty qualifications, tuition policies, and student services.
These rules implement the statutes set forth in West Virginia Code §18B, particularly focused on higher education governance and accountability.
Key Responsibilities of the Council:
Develop policies for 2-year colleges and technical institutions
Approve academic programs and curriculum standards
Establish tuition, residency, and financial aid regulations
Regulate faculty employment, promotion, and evaluation
Provide oversight of capital projects and funding
Coordinate workforce development and community education initiatives
Notable Rule Series Under Agency 135:
🔹 §135-2: Degree Designation, General Education Requirements, and Credit Hour Definitions
Defines types of degrees (e.g., A.A., A.S., A.A.S.)
Establishes minimum general education requirements.
Standardizes semester credit hour and course classification.
🔹 §135-4: Rules Regarding the Academic Freedom, Professional Responsibility, Promotion and Tenure
Policies on:
Faculty evaluations and promotion
Tenure eligibility and expectations
Academic freedom and due process rights
🔹 §135-9: Academic Program Approval
Procedures for:
Proposing new certificate or associate degree programs
Modifying or discontinuing existing programs
Ensures programs align with state workforce needs and accreditation standards.
🔹 §135-14: Residency Classification for Tuition and Fee Purposes
Establishes criteria for in-state vs. out-of-state tuition rates.
Covers dependent status, domicile, military personnel, and appeals.
🔹 §135-25: Community and Technical College Development and Capital Projects
Rules for planning and executing facility construction and renovation.
Includes bonding, funding approval, and project prioritization.
🔹 §135-28: Transferability of Credits and Articulation
Guarantees transfer of core coursework among public institutions.
Establishes articulation agreements and course equivalencies.
🔹 §135-31: Student Rights and Responsibilities
Protects student rights to:
Free expression
Due process in disciplinary actions
Equal access and non-discrimination
Regulates student conduct and grievance procedures.
🔹 §135-32: Tuition and Fee Policy
Provides guidance on tuition caps, mandatory fees, and institutional autonomy.
Includes waiver policies and special fee structures.
🔹 §135-52: Administrative Salary Policy
Sets salary benchmarks and evaluation procedures for institutional administrators.
Requires performance-based assessments for leadership positions.
Institutions Governed Under Agency 135:
Examples include:
BridgeValley CTC
Blue Ridge CTC
Eastern WV CTC
Mountwest CTC
New River CTC
Pierpont CTC
Southern WV CTC
WV Northern CTC
WVU Parkersburg (operates under both WVU and CTCS)
Legal Authority:
West Virginia Code §18B – Higher Education Policy and Governance
West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (CTCS) – Statutory body with regulatory oversight
Resources:
📍 CTCS Website: https://www.wvctcs.org
Academic program directories
Board meeting agendas and rules
Tuition charts and residency forms
Institutional links and policy updates
RELATED Blog
0 comments