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VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: VCCS Audit of NVCC ()
Date: September 11, 2015 12:35PM

Has anyone heard about the audit VCCS is doing on Northern Virginia Community College's Human Resources? Gag order prevents administration from talking about it. Hiring freeze until investigation is complete. Internal promotions have increased pay 150% or more for some employees in the last few years. Surely this will be published online somewhere as the state is transparent. Usually watchdog is the first.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: BBB ()
Date: September 13, 2015 05:08PM

BUMP

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Professor Phustercluck ()
Date: September 15, 2015 06:23PM

Lots of new positions have been created in recent years, associate director of this and VP of that, all with 6-figure salaries that they promote internal people into. The resulting budget deficit for this high-level position boom is in the millions. All of this while teacher and support staff salaries have been stagnant for years... Joining the hiring freeze will be big budget cuts across all departments.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: pETPX ()
Date: September 15, 2015 07:10PM

Sounds like GMU.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: JBarnet@vccs.gov ()
Date: September 20, 2015 02:35PM

Right, too many VPs, associate VPs. Hope they strip salaries down considerably to all receiving over 100% increases. That would take care of the budget.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: R3G ()
Date: September 20, 2015 02:37PM

They need to focus on getting enrollment up and their salaries down.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Professor Phustercluck ()
Date: September 20, 2015 05:23PM

R3G Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They need to focus on getting enrollment up and
> their salaries down.

Going back to our roots and introducing more vocational/trade programs would be a great start. Plumbing, electrical, more in-depth HVAC courses that include systems design and management, building automation, general mechanical, etc.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Well Said. ()
Date: September 20, 2015 07:03PM

^ You're absolutely right. Why aren't they doing that? Not everyone wants to be or is cut out to be in a conventional college program. The trades can provide a good living. The idea that everyone should go to college and is entitled to a college education infuriates me. There is a generation of kids who are being misled. The best thing we could do for poor black and white kids would be to teach them a trade either in a community college or somewhere else.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Joke Insurance ()
Date: September 20, 2015 09:38PM

pETPX Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sounds like GMU.


How so?

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: High cost of college ()
Date: September 21, 2015 11:26AM

Maybe it also has something to do with not only unauthorized salary increases for certain people, but for the creation of new jobs and new job titles (including increases in pay) being given out to certain people who have no clue what they are doing because they are friends with vice-presidents!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: State Agency Salaries 2014 ()
Date: September 21, 2015 06:25PM


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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Citizen ()
Date: September 21, 2015 07:41PM

Someone should look into the fact that most of the postions that got increases in pay or the people who were promoted never had to interview for these jobs. They were just given to them which is in violation of DHRM policy and the law. A large precentage work for the finance division....follow the money and the answers will come!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Citizen-1 ()
Date: September 22, 2015 10:18AM

Please look into the Northern Virginia Community College Audit, which was performed by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). In the beginning of the year, the President retired and, soon thereafter, the VP of Administration resigned. The VP of Finance was appointed as the Acting VP of Administration, giving her much power, control and authority over NVCC (as VP over both Divisions). She began to create positions, appoint her “select” people into those positions, and provide huge salary increases (essentially building her own empire). As Acting VP of Administration, she supervised the HR Director and used her power over the Director to facilitate these actions. As VCCS began looking into this mess, the HR Director suddenly “disappeared”, essentially she was the VP’s “fall” person. The newly created positions were never advertised for anyone (internal or external to NVCC) to apply for them, a violation of VCCS and State DHRM Policy. I believe anyone who wanted to apply for any of these positions can take legal action against NVCC for not being given the opportunity to apply for the positions. Now that the Audit has confirmed more than a hundred violations, what is being done to provide fair hiring opportunities for people who did not get the opportunity to apply for the positions? Perhaps some of them were NVCC graduates who would have applied. To add fuel to the fire, a hiring freeze is now in place until July 2016 and Departmental budgets have been cut to almost nothing -- all because of the budget shortfall that this has created. And, the only ones paying the price for this are the ones “on the ground” doing all the work. Want to guess what the VP of Finance’s pay increase was for the past year? How about $49,831.00, a pay increase of 34% (her salary, according to Richmond Times Dispatch, is $197,299.00)! And, I am not sure whether that includes her Acting pay. The VCCS standard for “Acting” pay is 10%.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: High cost of college ()
Date: September 24, 2015 09:16AM

Maybe someone should look at how the College hired a Chief of Police that was in charge of the student beatings at the University of Maryland after the basketball game a few years ago. Seems that Chief Daniel Desseau was in charge of the division that beat the student. He was given the opportunity to retire before he was charged....then NOVA hired him as police chief. Let's expose more students to this type of policing!!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: High cost of college ()
Date: September 29, 2015 07:23AM

Seems no one at the State or VCCS cares what goes on at the "flagship" of the Virginia Community College System....even it's illegal. The illegal activities of persons making $150,000 or more continues. These people feel like they are untouchable. Positions continue to be created with huge salary additions, while other positions continue to go vacant. When is the State Attorney General going to step in and start looking at the money trail? These people are robbing the State blind and everyone seems to turn away from facing the facts.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: not so high ()
Date: September 29, 2015 02:21PM

Hardly a 100% increase. NVCC does offer math classes that might help you.
Richmond Times Dispatch 2014
Dimitrina N. Dimkova
Administrative - Instructor
2014 total compensation

$197,299

Pay components

Base salary: $197,299
Ricmond Times Dispatch 2013

DIMITRINA N DIMKOVA Administrative - Instructor Northern Va Community College $147,468 $147,468

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NVCC ()
Date: September 29, 2015 03:35PM

Good rebuttal, Ms. Dimkova..

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Worker bee ()
Date: September 30, 2015 10:52PM

Meh....we had an internal meeting where we were told that there was an audit and violations were found, but we're told that discrepancies were in budgets not being spent properly and overspending! No mention of HR or the privileged getting huge salary increases. Only admin and support staff positions are on this freeze. It's supposed to be revisited in November. Perhaps critical hires will be posted again, but no word for sure from the higher ups.

I wonder if the gag order prevents the campus leadership from being frank with us....or if they are being kept in the dark and being fed as much manure as we little people on the mushroom farms are.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Gunn Prag ()
Date: October 13, 2015 06:57PM

Where is the audit available?

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: GRIMREAPER ()
Date: October 22, 2015 09:19PM

The entire HR leadership should be fired. Liappis is a snake hell she probably forced Garcia out so she can get the position. And Dimkova is leading the pack with fraud, waste and abuse. The president needs to wipe out the current leadership and start over with competent people who actually love their job and are not ripping off the state by giving themselves higher salaries.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Google me ()
Date: October 22, 2015 09:21PM

Good question. But hey it's public information so all you have to do is request it. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Oh, NOva ()
Date: October 25, 2015 07:49PM

I hadn't heard the freeze was in place until July 2016, but that is the start of the next fiscal year, so I guess that makes sense. The people making less than 50K, doing the real work, are the ones being fucked by this...so many empty positions, but no reduction in workload.

Unfortunately it's just about impossible to get rid of a state worker unless they agree to go quietly, so nothing's going to change any time soon...

(and, yeah, hiring the chief was a huge mistake!)

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Riddler ()
Date: October 29, 2015 06:44PM

Why hasn't Ina Dimkova been fired? She's the one covering up all the bullshit. Half her finance crew are fucking incompetent. They don't follow their own poor ass written policies. The procurement department is also incompetent rules change every damn day but yet they are the main ones violating the policies.
The results of the audit needs to be posted publicly for all tax payers to see. Hmmmmm

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Tax payer concerned ()
Date: October 29, 2015 07:02PM

Very interesting observation Riddler unfortunately it all starts with the leadership the directors!
Is this public information?

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Riddler 2 ()
Date: October 29, 2015 07:08PM

It should be public but these people are going to continue to cover up their mess until someone blows the whistle.
I just can't believe they are getting away with it right under the governor's nose.
Let's see what changes VCCS will implement

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Very. Ssd ()
Date: October 29, 2015 07:15PM

The real sadness is we are going to loose really good people because who want to continue to work in such a corrupt environment. The chancellor should,be ashamed

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Keepitreal100 ()
Date: October 30, 2015 11:33PM

Tru story,my frd got written up over BS (if they like such persons like them who will tell such fablications more- then so called ppl-or leaders (as I use it slightly) because to say they are makes me vomit.. n such leadership roles...Will/ and HAVE been proven to still believed it).Such ppl as these exist to get away with MURDER,SLANDER,AND OH Should DEFRAUDING THE SYSTEM POLICIES,be added? SUCH PPL have done setups to try to fire ppl,and HR TOSSES U ARROUND LIKE SPIN THE BOTTLE..Person to person with no resolve!!Yet morales go down.Such services are placed there for NOVA employees to seek out,correct me if I'm wrong.Well,I'M NOT!!Yet these treatments are allowed,,did anyone check into creation of positions in financial aid..that's another concern..
Defamation of valued person's characters,being treated poorly by others in certain higher up roles with either no or poor knowledge of what they're paid high dollars for,but greatly knowledgeable in favoritism and degration.Snakes that are sneaking,sliding,and gliding through policies set!!! that are not being enforced!!Just to be what they are snakes training little snakes(just ppl with NO ppl and or humanity skills,ppl without NO morals or gave what they had up-and answers to your inquiries that are never answered.That's correct, NONE OF THESE seem to apply under the Title:
MATTERS of concerns!sacastically speaking.
Now lesson 1:
If u don't attend religous services together,Are not friends, Not an office tattle tail, Not A NEWBIE-OR BEEN EMPLOYED 15 YEARS LESSER THAN OTHERS(whom have dedicated themselves 2 NOVA)JUST THERE FOR CHECK TYPE PERSONS.Then dont apply..
THE WANT ADS WILL READ..
If YOU R w/o these special Retarded/Miserable characteristics (MENTIONED ABOVE) and r tryg to work at NOVA OR DO work at NOVA;Then dont expect to get hired,extra pay,or promotions for real wk and character. Again,those who are applying please-the specific requirements and behaviors are mention to land you a created position!
You will get chopped and screwed
IF U CARE ABT NOVA,ABOUT YOUR SELF (due to the mental torture/no HR assistance and no resolve,and requesting to BE RESPECTED/Valued as a person (not Puppets or a no backboners),OR CARE ABOUT STUDENTS!!!Keepingitreal100,Truestories!!VCCS many are waiting for you to clean house- Not just in HR. Surveys are needed in ALLLLLL DEPARTMENTS,IT JUST DOESN'T STOP AT CLEANING UP JUST HR.IT MEANS,ATTICS,BEDROOMS,
CORNERS,
BASEBOARDS,EVERYTHING PARTS OF THE HOUSE . ALL DEPARTMENTS ON EVERYTHING CAMPUS.
DIRE NEED FOR SPRING CLEANING IS NECESSARY AND VALUED WORKERS ARE EXHAUSTED!!!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Where'sMyTaxDollars,Needingitbac ()
Date: October 31, 2015 01:04AM

Well said! All these funds spent negatively, anyone check into the financial aid programs? What do these idiots do with our tax dollars(Overall)that's NOT THEIR? S? It's been said they too have many created positions as well(i.e)directors,supervisors,and etc.?
What are those position's salaries;all positioning?Richmond Times-Dispatch????

Proven:
You can be pre-coached on the interviews in some campuses for positions; when these people had/have jobs;where as millions did not/
and some currently still do not have positions in these desired areas and qualify!!!!!!!!
Those whom lost jobs that supported their families their children!!!!never having a chance, because they were not!!!preselected!!! yet go they proceed with interviews to cover their asses(AS IF those whom desperately needed jobs couldn't be at another interview -if their time wasn't UNKNOWINGLY WASTED),those persons are preselectively hired, increase in pay,and steadfastly moving up the chain..you could be a manager in 2 months or less..preselectively!!Heard.. yet..Believable-Concerns ARE Not just limited to HR.

Many more will retire
early or up and disappear.
Terribly disrespectful of the government entirely,and those whom assist in the coverups;yet people gossip'd about Wallstreet!!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Dane Bramage ()
Date: October 31, 2015 08:03AM

Can someone translate the following gibberish into English? Guessing this may be from one of the adjunct faculty.

Thanks.

Keepitreal100 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tru story,my frd got written up over BS (if they
> like such persons like them who will tell such
> fablications more- then so called ppl-or leaders
> (as I use it slightly) because to say they are
> makes me vomit.. n such leadership roles...Will/
> and HAVE been proven to still believed it).Such
> ppl as these exist to get away with
> MURDER,SLANDER,AND OH Should DEFRAUDING THE SYSTEM
> POLICIES,be added? SUCH PPL have done setups to
> try to fire ppl,and HR TOSSES U ARROUND LIKE SPIN
> THE BOTTLE..Person to person with no resolve!!Yet
> morales go down.Such services are placed there for
> NOVA employees to seek out,correct me if I'm
> wrong.Well,I'M NOT!!Yet these treatments are
> allowed,,did anyone check into creation of
> positions in financial aid..that's another
> concern..
> Defamation of valued person's characters,being
> treated poorly by others in certain higher up
> roles with either no or poor knowledge of what
> they're paid high dollars for,but greatly
> knowledgeable in favoritism and degration.Snakes
> that are sneaking,sliding,and gliding through
> policies set!!! that are not being enforced!!Just
> to be what they are snakes training little
> snakes(just ppl with NO ppl and or humanity
> skills,ppl without NO morals or gave what they had
> up-and answers to your inquiries that are never
> answered.That's correct, NONE OF THESE seem to
> apply under the Title:
> MATTERS of concerns!sacastically speaking.
> Now lesson 1:
> If u don't attend religous services together,Are
> not friends, Not an office tattle tail, Not A
> NEWBIE-OR BEEN EMPLOYED 15 YEARS LESSER THAN
> OTHERS(whom have dedicated themselves 2 NOVA)JUST
> THERE FOR CHECK TYPE PERSONS.Then dont apply..
> THE WANT ADS WILL READ..
> If YOU R w/o these special Retarded/Miserable
> characteristics (MENTIONED ABOVE) and r tryg to
> work at NOVA OR DO work at NOVA;Then dont expect
> to get hired,extra pay,or promotions for real wk
> and character. Again,those who are applying
> please-the specific requirements and behaviors are
> mention to land you a created position!
> You will get chopped and screwed
> IF U CARE ABT NOVA,ABOUT YOUR SELF (due to the
> mental torture/no HR assistance and no resolve,and
> requesting to BE RESPECTED/Valued as a person (not
> Puppets or a no backboners),OR CARE ABOUT
> STUDENTS!!!Keepingitreal100,Truestories!!VCCS many
> are waiting for you to clean house- Not just in
> HR. Surveys are needed in ALLLLLL DEPARTMENTS,IT
> JUST DOESN'T STOP AT CLEANING UP JUST HR.IT
> MEANS,ATTICS,BEDROOMS,
> CORNERS,
> BASEBOARDS,EVERYTHING PARTS OF THE HOUSE . ALL
> DEPARTMENTS ON EVERYTHING CAMPUS.
> DIRE NEED FOR SPRING CLEANING IS NECESSARY AND
> VALUED WORKERS ARE EXHAUSTED!!!

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Trick or Treat ()
Date: October 31, 2015 11:56AM

Dane although it's jibberish I think it's pretty clear that the leadership at NOVA is corrupt even the new president if he doesn't do anything about it.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Hrrrrrr ()
Date: November 01, 2015 01:06AM

Went for an hr interview for the hr dept a few months ago but wasnt hired because I was not an internal hire. These jobs just hire internally for the most part so that may be why most are incompetent. A lot of butt kissing going on. Also at only a shameful 12 percent graduation rate for students the lowest in the area because the average grad is 24 or 26 nova should be ashamed.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Understaffed ()
Date: November 05, 2015 10:37AM

That is already happening. People are leaving and can't be replaced because of the hiring freeze.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Tim Tim TIMMEH! ()
Date: November 05, 2015 10:43AM

Trick or Treat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dane although it's jibberish I think it's pretty
> clear that the leadership at NOVA is corrupt even
> the new president if he doesn't do anything about
> it.

The new president is a good guy, but I think he's in for more than he bargained for. He has a PhD in industrial and organizational psychology, so if anyone can figure this mess out, he can.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: collegemeasures.org ()
Date: November 05, 2015 10:47AM

Hrrrrrr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Went for an hr interview for the hr dept a few
> months ago but wasnt hired because I was not an
> internal hire. These jobs just hire internally for
> the most part so that may be why most are
> incompetent. A lot of butt kissing going on. Also
> at only a shameful 12 percent graduation rate for
> students the lowest in the area because the
> average grad is 24 or 26 nova should be ashamed.

http://www.collegemeasures.org/2-year_colleges/institution/Northern-Virginia-Community-College-VA/scorecard/graduation-rates/

Graduation rate: 21.8% overall

Transfer rate: 10.8% overall

Graduation + transfer rate: 32.6% overall (up from 25% in 2008)

Low, but not as low as your post indicates.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: The Spam Bot ()
Date: November 05, 2015 01:08PM

Hrrrrrr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Went for an hr interview for the hr dept a few
> months ago but wasnt hired because I was not an
> internal hire. These jobs just hire internally for
> the most part so that may be why most are
> incompetent. A lot of butt kissing going on. Also
> at only a shameful 12 percent graduation rate for
> students the lowest in the area because the
> average grad is 24 or 26 nova should be ashamed.

So you're still unemployed? Sounds like sour grapes.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Ssd ()
Date: November 05, 2015 05:58PM

With human resources having so many violations and still counting and knowing that possible monetary sanctions are in play. I don't think this could be considered sour grapes. We should all try and be more senseative to one another. The hiring freeze is only the beginning and I hope everyone knows this. A lot of good people are going to be laid off and for what. The needs of a corrupt leadership that has possibly broke state and federal regulations and has made Nova a joke throughout the state.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Alpha Dog ()
Date: November 05, 2015 06:19PM

The Spam Bot and collemeasures.org are obviously the same person!
But I will say this if the president is this so called good guy he better start house cleaning.
The reputation of this institution is doomed. I mean people are on here calling out folks by their name so I think it's safe to say that the allegations are pretty serious and should be investigated. I'm happy that my child decided not to attend NOVA that place is horrible. After attending there myself and with drawing to attending GMU I received a letter from financial aid ofgice saying I owed them. Funny thing is my husband is a veteran and I'm using his post 9/11 so how exactly do I owe them? I'm still fighting with them to clear that up.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: The Spam Bot ()
Date: November 05, 2015 06:33PM

Alpha Dog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Spam Bot and collemeasures.org are obviously
> the same person!
> But I will say this if the president is this so
> called good guy he better start house cleaning.
> The reputation of this institution is doomed. I
> mean people are on here calling out folks by their
> name so I think it's safe to say that the
> allegations are pretty serious and should be
> investigated. I'm happy that my child decided not
> to attend NOVA that place is horrible. After
> attending there myself and with drawing to
> attending GMU I received a letter from financial
> aid ofgice saying I owed them. Funny thing is my
> husband is a veteran and I'm using his post 9/11
> so how exactly do I owe them? I'm still fighting
> with them to clear that up.

Well there are two pages of open positions on NVCC website so the hiring freeze is obviously a lie.

If you made schedule adjustments you could very well owe money, GI Bill or not. But best wishes with your fight. LOL

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: GhbjL ()
Date: November 05, 2015 06:45PM

Professor Phustercluck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> R3G Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > They need to focus on getting enrollment up and
> > their salaries down.
>
> Going back to our roots and introducing more
> vocational/trade programs would be a great start.
> Plumbing, electrical, more in-depth HVAC courses
> that include systems design and management,
> building automation, general mechanical, etc.

-1

WRONG

by "our" you mean europe or south america

VA never DID NOT require vocational courses be taken or certified by gov run schools (although some were offered in H.S.)

Furthermore, companies often ran their own schools using their own instructors (taken from the field when the masters had no work or were injured), the books were not chosen by publishing companies with outlets at campuses, and etc.

as a result vocational education had been cheaper, better, AND A HELL OF ALLOT MORE PERTINENT (minding they are taught to those already hired) AND FASTER

--------------------
college was not required for any gov position until the 90's when it became used for PREVENTING new employment (thus raising the bar to compete against those already in gov with high paychecks they wished not to share)

furthermore it was the democrat/communist "teachers association" in Dc who orchestrated such federal rules to push people into "getting government certification, govenrment school loans", etc. and guess where the niggas and foreigners were? in the school jobs and waiting in th ecorners for more "corruptable government jobs" to be created by it.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: EtVwX ()
Date: November 05, 2015 06:48PM

in private business they would never have paid teachers more than necessary as it ate up profits

anything except work out the door (that didn't come back in) was bullshit

many of the best products then (and even now) WERE NOT inveted by the most educated and where they were: %95 of that still was by mistake when looking for things never found intentionally

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: FunkyMonkeyFun ()
Date: November 05, 2015 07:00PM

The hiring freeze is not a lie. The job posted are teaching faculty, teaching faculty are considered critical need so none of those have been frozen. The positions that were frozen were staff positions and admin/professional faculty. If there are some of those staff/pro faculty positions that means the department had to write justifications to prove why it was a critical position that needs to be filled. Guess who approves the justifications....our pal Ina.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Ssd ()
Date: November 06, 2015 07:08PM

The fact that people can't even admit that the college is under a hiring freeze is unbelievable. Will this never stop.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Alpha Dog* ()
Date: November 09, 2015 07:34AM

Spam Bot you are clueless. There's no way I can possibly owe financial aid when I have never applied for it. Smh

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: High cost of college ()
Date: November 09, 2015 07:39AM

So, let's lay it out there for everyone....

The "boots on the ground" employees at NOVA are the best anywhere. They work hard for the State and the students. HOWEVER....
The leadership, including the new President, continue to allow BULLSHIT AND SELFISHNESS to define the College as a whole. Vice-Presidents who give themselves raises, promote those who kiss their ass, and continue to ride NOVA to the bottom of the barrel.
They have forgotten why we operate. We are here for the low-cost benefit of the student. These people need to remember this. High quality, low cost education is available at NOVA if the leadership allows it.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Dependa-potumas ()
Date: November 09, 2015 12:54PM

Alpha Dog* Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Spam Bot you are clueless. There's no way I can
> possibly owe financial aid when I have never
> applied for it. Smh

If you owe anyone it would be the school, not the aid office. And if you withdrew while using the GI Bill, you can have a debt, to both VA and NVCC.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: nvccprof ()
Date: November 09, 2015 01:07PM

Keepitreal100 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tru story,my frd got written up over BS (if they
> like such persons like them who will tell such
> fablications more- then so called ppl-or leaders
> (as I use it slightly) because to say they are
> makes me vomit.. n such leadership roles...Will/
> and HAVE been proven to still believed it).Such
> ppl as these exist to get away with
> MURDER,SLANDER,AND OH Should DEFRAUDING THE SYSTEM
> POLICIES,be added? SUCH PPL have done setups to
> try to fire ppl,and HR TOSSES U ARROUND LIKE SPIN
> THE BOTTLE..Person to person with no resolve!!Yet
> morales go down.Such services are placed there for
> NOVA employees to seek out,correct me if I'm
> wrong.Well,I'M NOT!!Yet these treatments are
> allowed,,did anyone check into creation of
> positions in financial aid..that's another
> concern..
> Defamation of valued person's characters,being
> treated poorly by others in certain higher up
> roles with either no or poor knowledge of what
> they're paid high dollars for,but greatly
> knowledgeable in favoritism and degration.Snakes
> that are sneaking,sliding,and gliding through
> policies set!!! that are not being enforced!!Just
> to be what they are snakes training little
> snakes(just ppl with NO ppl and or humanity
> skills,ppl without NO morals or gave what they had
> up-and answers to your inquiries that are never
> answered.That's correct, NONE OF THESE seem to
> apply under the Title:
> MATTERS of concerns!sacastically speaking.
> Now lesson 1:
> If u don't attend religous services together,Are
> not friends, Not an office tattle tail, Not A
> NEWBIE-OR BEEN EMPLOYED 15 YEARS LESSER THAN
> OTHERS(whom have dedicated themselves 2 NOVA)JUST
> THERE FOR CHECK TYPE PERSONS.Then dont apply..
> THE WANT ADS WILL READ..
> If YOU R w/o these special Retarded/Miserable
> characteristics (MENTIONED ABOVE) and r tryg to
> work at NOVA OR DO work at NOVA;Then dont expect
> to get hired,extra pay,or promotions for real wk
> and character. Again,those who are applying
> please-the specific requirements and behaviors are
> mention to land you a created position!
> You will get chopped and screwed
> IF U CARE ABT NOVA,ABOUT YOUR SELF (due to the
> mental torture/no HR assistance and no resolve,and
> requesting to BE RESPECTED/Valued as a person (not
> Puppets or a no backboners),OR CARE ABOUT
> STUDENTS!!!Keepingitreal100,Truestories!!VCCS many
> are waiting for you to clean house- Not just in
> HR. Surveys are needed in ALLLLLL DEPARTMENTS,IT
> JUST DOESN'T STOP AT CLEANING UP JUST HR.IT
> MEANS,ATTICS,BEDROOMS,
> CORNERS,
> BASEBOARDS,EVERYTHING PARTS OF THE HOUSE . ALL
> DEPARTMENTS ON EVERYTHING CAMPUS.
> DIRE NEED FOR SPRING CLEANING IS NECESSARY AND
> VALUED WORKERS ARE EXHAUSTED!!!

Oh God, I hope you're not an NVCC grad. If so, this alone is evidence that the school sucks.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Rainmaker12 ()
Date: November 09, 2015 05:39PM

As a former employee of NVCC it is interesting to see that VCCS has taken this long to "officially" conduct an audit of NVCC's HR. In fact to be fair, an overall audit of the entire college needs to be performed. I mean corruption, gross mismanagement, nepotism, and butt kissing promotions, have been normal practice at NVCC for over 5 years. VCCS needs to investigate the current VP of Finance and Administration, and her croonies (all the current campus business managers and the VPs in the Finance Division).

On many occasions, employees who spoke up against these practices were either retaliated against or out-right dismissed without cause, and the VCCS brass never did anything about those cases. VCCS brass rarely did/do anything when employees complained to them via the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline about inproper hiring practices.

The new president, if he is any kind of leader, needs to terminate the VP of Finance and Administration and all her croonies because the positions the currently hold were not acquired through the proper VCCS vetting and hiring process, but rather via favoritism and being a part of the "Finance Division Click." If you are not a part of "the click" and believes in following established policies, procedures, and regulations, you will be targeted either for consistent harrassment or termination. That has been the NOVA way for the past 5 years and the previous president turned a blind eye to what was going on.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Alpha Dog** ()
Date: November 09, 2015 11:40PM

Depends I did not withdraw. I finished my classes with all A's the moment I decide to transfer NOVA tried to block it. But you can't cheat a cheater lol. The VA called the financial aid office and what do you know, Nova admitted it was a mistake. Slouches. Now I can get my transcripts and move on

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Boycott ()
Date: November 09, 2015 11:44PM

All NOVA EMPLOYEES SHOULD TAKE A STAND. BOYCOTT THE SCHOOL AND THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP AND FORCE THEIR ASSES OUT.
LOOK AT MIZZOU! THE BASTARDS PRESIDENT RESIGNED. SINCE THAT LEADERSHIP LOVES MONEY SO MUCH HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: not so high ()
Date: November 10, 2015 01:30PM

Not so sure how you miss $5M in personnel cost.

Good afternoon:

Having wrapped up my second month on the job, I am doing my best to visit each of the campuses to meet as many of you as possible through visits and faculty/staff forums. Each day I am here, I realize how big NOVA is and that communicating on a face-to-face basis with everyone is very challenging. That is the reason for this email.

I am aware of the growing concern over our college financial situation, which is understandable. Frankly, it has caused me more restless nights than I anticipated having to date. It is still somewhat of an evolving situation as we seek out all of the data to know specifically where we stand, and accordingly plan for steps to assure our funding is on solid ground for the remainder of the year. While we still await Spring enrollment figures, I want you to know that although the situation is more challenging than NOVA has faced in recent years, it is one that I believe is manageable and we are taking steps to limit impacts on student instruction.

Frankly, most community colleges in the nation are dealing with this issue, or have dealt with financial constraints since the recession ended and enrollments and revenues began declining. Our revenue picture started turning south on us last year with a 2.7% annualized decline, and continued into the current year with the 6% drop in summer (thankfully we are relatively even for Fall). Over the past five years, and including this year, our costs have consistently increased driven primarily by increasing personnel costs (position additions and salary increases). A third complicating factor is that we have expended all our reserve funds so that we no longer have the luxury of a savings safety net moving forward as we have in the past. So the budget picture for us is without a doubt more challenging than we have faced in several years.

Planning for these challenges began with the recommendations of the Budget Advisory Committee last year, and consistent with those recommendations, the college leadership prepared the budget allocations as we entered our current year. After the 6% decline in summer enrollments, and bracing for potential further enrollment challenges in Fall and Spring, an additional prudent step was taken to reduce the operating budget by an additional $3.6 million. These additional cuts came 70% from central administration and an additional 30% reduction in campus budgets as determined by the individual campus leaders.

Soon after I arrived in September, the Virginia Community College System was wrapping up a special audit of our Human Resources Systems which revealed some serious systems failures. This led to uncertainty as to whether all of our personnel obligations were accurately reflected in our budgeting, thus leading to the hiring freeze. For the last several weeks, staff in our finance, HR, and campuses have diligently worked to reconcile all of the information and we have also taken steps to prevent future lapses such as new policies for special payments/stipends that are appropriate with VCCS policy. During this process, we discovered as of last week an additional $5 million personnel obligations that had not been appropriately reflected in our current year budget. We believe at this point that we can address most of this additional budget challenge by maintaining our current hiring freeze for the remainder of the fiscal year, and making some additional cuts that we are focusing this time at the administrative level.

I believe that these steps will be sufficient for us to meet all of our budget obligations for the current year, as long as we are disciplined about operating within our budgeted allocations and our Spring semester enrollment does not drop.

I want to assure you that we will work collectively to minimize the impact on our students, faculty and staff, and have strategically attempted to minimize cuts that impact instruction. I have heard that some have referred to this as a “crisis.” Knowing that so many colleges are facing budget challenges that exceed ours, and having worked with many colleges that have faced budget challenges both during and after the recession, I see this more as a challenge that we have to collectively face, but not a crisis.

It is, nevertheless, a challenge that none of us would prefer to confront at this time, and one we do not want to have to respond to in such a reactive way as we move forward into future years. Therefore, we are also looking very carefully at our long-term budgeting strategies to help ensure our college is on solid financial footing going forward, and we can “be defined by our opportunities and not our challenges” as I like to say. As we move forward in this process, I will continue to look for more opportunities to engage with you for feedback and communications.

Scott

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Get a life ()
Date: November 10, 2015 09:43PM

I'm sorry that you all are disgruntled ex employees, but there are accusations be tossed against people who are working their ass off for this school. Go in early, leaving late, continuing working at home, sacrificing family time just to try to make this school a better place with what was given to them. But no, you all jump to the quickest conclusion and assume the worst. Instead of hiding behind an anonymous forum, why don't you bring up the issues individually face to face, instead of trying to ruin the reputation of the people that are actually trying to make a difference.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Dane Bramage ()
Date: November 10, 2015 10:23PM

Perhaps the NVCC football team can protest and not play.

Oh. Wait.

For those who don't like working at NOVA, one word:

Quit.

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA EMPLOYEE ()
Date: November 11, 2015 09:28AM

Dear get a life:

I see you are brainwashed or you are one of the above mentioned. Are you certain that these people are former employees? The individual that posted the letter from Ralls is obviously still a NOVA employee as well as I. The problem is you post up here trying to defend the college because you're probably part of the problem. There's obviously some major issues going on and I see it every damn day voiced my concerns about certain matters and all they do is sweep it under the rug. But hey everything you do in the dark will come out into the light. Which is why the College is now dealing with this bullshit now.
So if you think for one second that only the former employees are pissed off and disgruntled you better think again. If you did a survey today you would see how people really feel about the culture of this place. I work with great people who work their asses off and are being screwed over so people have a right to be upset when auditors come to our college and discover the mess that they have. That tells me that folks been lying stealing and abusing their power for a long time. I sure hope that our new president can clean this mess up that he inherited.

So Get a Life as I sat here at I read your blurb why don't you expose who you are? Lol I promise we won't be surprised.

I know all these people are not former employees. Alot of the information is to detailed and specific. Sounds like an inside job to me. And if it is they need to make themselves known stand together with one voice and FORCE change.

I feel bad for the new president I really do. And I had the opportunity to speak with him one on one and he knows there's a problem.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NalgeneBottle ()
Date: November 11, 2015 10:32AM

This is just crazy!

1Cxr.jpg

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: not so high ()
Date: November 11, 2015 11:58AM

So yeah some of us still work here and we see a lot of good people working well beyond their 40 hours every week trying to do the best they can with the resources that they have. We also see the bloat and increase in salaries in the "favored ones" departments while other departments languish, understaffed and underpaid.

We also see a lot of good people being ignored and trampled over on a regular basis as newer employees with a slightly different "me first" attitude rush to further their own pitiful careers.

It is sad to see how far this place has sunk, in part due to mismanagement and cronyism.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: One Good NOVA Cop ()
Date: November 11, 2015 12:26PM

First of all, we are not "ex-employees"! We are the people who show up to work on time, work late, and worry about doing what is RIGHT!
FOR YOU TO ASSUME DIFFERENT IS OFFENSIVE!
Myself and many others have expressed our opinions about how things are being ran, and we get black-balled by management and told to look the other way...or my favorite that I have heard from other employees that complain is "be more of a team player"....BULLSHIT, right is right and wrong is jail time.
Ina, you have no possibility of hiding behind a screen name and protecting yourself. It shines thru like a spotlight! You ask why we don't meet face to face....because I wouldn't have a job at the end of the meeting because you would be protecting yourself and your empire. It would be too easy to fire me because I don't agree with your "let's blame it on the old HR director" or "we'll find another scapegoat" logic.
You showed up at the grand opening in Loudoun dressed lime a cheap hooker, and acted cheaper! Everyone there saw it, you made no effort to socialize with anyone except the poor guy you hung on lime a cheap tie....he knows who he is...and he is not your "partner"!
You went from a part-time employee at MEC, to the Vice-President of the college in 7 years...guess all those dirty little secrets paid off for you eventually when dedicated employers can't get a decent raise, and your making $192,000 a year. Reminds me of a girl named Monica....

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA EMPLOYEE ()
Date: November 11, 2015 12:26PM

Not so High you hit the nail on the head.I'm waiting patiently to see this blow up in their faces.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Tired as hell ()
Date: November 11, 2015 01:45PM

Those of you denying .... Accusing....asking for FACE TO FACE meetings....did you even READ THE LETTER FROM PRESIDENT RALLS??!! A couple very telling passages in his letter are; 1. "Also, we have taken appropriate steps to prevent future lapses (very polite word for UNETHICAL PRACTICES) such as new policies for SPECIAL PAYMENTS/STIPENDS" 2. During this process,as of last week, an ADDITIONAL $5 million personnel obligations that had not been appropriately reflected in our current year budget". $5 MILLION....NOT "APPROPRIATELY REFLECTED!!!

So exactly where the hell was our esteemed VP of Finance...and how can the blame for something like that be placed solely on the shoulders of our recently hastily departed HR Director. This horrible misuse of power is certainly NOT coming from us "tired and fed up worker bees". But from those who have been made to feel they are beyond reproach and accountability.

I sincerely hope President RALLS has the stamina and wherewithal to clean up this mess thrust upon him!!

And yes...I am a current employee and yes, I want to keep my job. I , like most of us, need it! So, Dane Bramage...I won't "quit". As you suggest...I will stay and help in any way I can to ensure the needed changes and improvements are made.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Ssd ()
Date: November 12, 2015 07:27PM

Wow!! Have worked for the college for a very, very long time The statement has been made, just quit and the statement has also been made,we are working hard to make the school a better place. To the person that said just quit,you may fine this hard to believe, but we have family's, which is one of the reason we stay and have hoped that it would get better. You are going to fined this even more unbelievable, we have made life long friendships and in many,many cases respect each other throughout the campuses. Nova employees including myself should all be ashamed, we all have suspected fraud waste and abuse,workplace harassment,intimidation and unfair hiring practices could be occurring. Let keep it honest as we have all witnessed people hired for not what they know but who they know. To the person that wrote we are hiding behind a blog. You are very naive, just why do you think VCCS is performing this audit. Because the Governor and the Board of Directors, Chancellor, VCCS VP of Human resources VCCS Humanresouses Director and the new president and many others as well all know that this could be detrimental not only to Nova but to the state of Virginia. To both of you and your disrespectful comment. No one is hiding or going to quit. If fact I think voice's are going to get louder and louder and many more blogs are coming. Also you may want to stop asking about names. You never know, it could be someone who you interact with everyday and they may not be as happy as you think and they just don't trust you enough to let you know how they really feel. Be careful you might just get what you are asking for,along with hurt feeling!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: To Ina Dimkova ()
Date: November 12, 2015 07:39PM

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RESIGN?
THAT'S IS ALL.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Date: November 12, 2015 10:58PM

President Ralls will do some good I believe. But like "Tim Tim" said in his comment exactly a week ago Ralls is fighting more than he bargained for. It's like one of those bait and switch situations. NVCC has a lot of hard worker grunts but "leaders" who only know academia are put in to (mis)manage programs and budgets. Ina has her big share responsibility and she needs to do the right thing and resign (or get fired). HR approves positions and doesn't consult with Accounting? I find this hard to believe, especially since the Administrative Council meets regularly.

Speaking of the Administrative Council, did anyone who works at NVCC now notice that the minutes from their meetings are only selectively placed online at http://www.nvcc.edu/president/administrative-council.html? The minutes of September 29, October 6, and November 3 all provide updates on the budget mess but yet they are not published online. This is not government accountability.

Ina is one of the biggest culprits but there are others as well. George Gabriel has his hand in everything and word is he plays a shell game with taxpayers dollars. There is a separate culture for the grunts than there is for the administration. It is too bad the diarrhea that falls from those on high craps down on the grunts.

Where is the college board throughout all of this? Surely they can do something right? We all pay taxes and those who live in Virginia deserve better. NVCC does great things for the community and the employees should have better leadership. I for one have no confidence in Ina or George. How do we get a vote of no confidence in their leadership?

What is sad is this financial mismanagement affects employees who can't get promotions and now can't get stipends, will be overworked when positions can't be backfilled, and can't get tuition assistance that is still listed as a benefit unless they are taking classes at NVCC. Gone are tuition assistance funds for pursuing an advanced degree. At least this will help with NVCC's headcount. But what is also said is the cost for this mismanagement will be passed down to the students. Affordability was what support Dr. Templin's student access boasts. Now that is in jeopardy.

It would be nice to see accountability, transparency. and new blood at the top changing the culture for the better.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Dane Bramage ()
Date: November 13, 2015 07:24AM

Tired as hell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> And yes...I am a current employee and yes, I want
> to keep my job. I , like most of us, need it!
> So, Dane Bramage...I won't "quit". As you
> suggest...I will stay and help in any way I can to
> ensure the needed changes and improvements are
> made.

Your choice, but the economy is great and there are a lot of wonderful opportunities in NOVA education; FCPS, Marymount, GMU, even DC universities. Life is too short to be miserable.

I don't believe the change some are looking for will happen or is even appropriate, especially if the catalyst are anonymous online posts. Some of the posts look like complaints about working hard with limited resources. Higher ed budgets suck unless you're in an academic unit/position. That is not going to change.

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Mrs. Ilene Burke ()
Date: November 13, 2015 11:00AM

I heard about this blog from one of the employees at NOVA and it's sad to read about what's going on. My daughter attends NOVA and my son will be attending next fall. Or at least I thought he was. I think it's best that I consider other institutions because this is awful. Tax payers dollars down the drain. I have no problem identifying who I am come for me if you want to although I don't advise it. I have no problems bringing these accusations to the attention of the media!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Community College Fan ()
Date: November 13, 2015 12:35PM

^ For future reference, please don't post your name in this forum. Nothing good will come from it. And it is indeed a shame if these allegations are true. NVCC is still a great deal, however.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Oh Damn ()
Date: November 13, 2015 12:39PM

Did she post her real name?

And she goes to the media NOVA will be forced to come clean and make changes. Mrs. Burke you ate Bold!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Lmao!! ()
Date: November 13, 2015 12:51PM

Yes she is very bold. But hey she's not an employee so how will it affect her?
They better take precaution or NVCC will be like Missouri



Oh Damn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Did she post her real name?
>
> And she goes to the media NOVA will be forced to
> come clean and make changes. Mrs. Burke you are
> Bold!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Tired as hell ()
Date: November 13, 2015 01:30PM

Just to clarify ...never did I say I was "miserable"...as a matter of fact , I enjoy my job with NVCC , I have made some good friends here and have respect for most of my fellow employees. I do believe NVCC fills a critical roll in offering affordable, quality education to many. I wish we would expand our trades curriculum as I feel we could play an even bigger role there. HOWEVER; Changes are needed and preferably those changes should begin with some of the people in the "higher" echelons of the organization instead of on the backs of the "worker bees". It is now being said that 3 million of the 5 million UNACCOUNTED deficit will be made up in the hiring freeze....I happen to think that the onus should be placed square on the shoulders of those who are responsible for creating this deficit and on those that perpetuate it by accepting undeserved "promotions", "stipends" and salary increases. Just saying

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Dad ()
Date: November 13, 2015 05:59PM

As a small business owner, father of a freshman at NOVA and member of the community, I am disappointed to read this information. When upper management is corrupt in any business it's everyone underneath that suffers. As one person stated, it is not good for morale for staff or instructors.
I have done my homework and have read the state audit reports that are public. Your Veterans department isn't up to par as well. Your enrollment numbers will decrease by one more, I will not let my daughter or my money go to this corrupt institution. She will take online classes from from another institution.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: JustSad ()
Date: November 13, 2015 07:32PM

NOVA employs a lot of great people. I have a friend who works there who has been complaining for years about illegal hiring practices at the Manassas Campus. Reports filed with VCCS produce no action. Positions are created and filled with favorites who are often less qualified and interviews are either rigged or never happen. Nothing will happen. Higher ups, provosts, deans, are never held responsible. They know what they are doing is illegal. They wait until the spotlight is gone and just begin all over. It is a shame that NOVA hr is seen as responsible for all the wrongdoing. They just process paper work and hiring actions that were supposed to have been handled correctly by campus administrators.Meanwhile, NOVA will lose good students and lower paid employees and staff members will suffer the consequences of their admins actions.Very sad indeed.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: RealityCheck ()
Date: November 13, 2015 08:29PM

This is how it works at NOVA. If the provost likes you get promoted from first to third floor.

Wear a short skirt and tight shirts and fawn over the man but DO NOT wear TENNIS Shoes.

To be liked you have to be a yes person or have the same religion. You will watch people with less education and less experience move above more qualified individuals.

The poor suckers who apply for positions from the outside do not know that they are wasting their time cause the hiring committee is chosen by campus admins who tell them who to pick.

If the committee chooses someone else they are overruled.

If the dean is not allowed to hire for lack of funds or no such position exists, they create a position and appoint to that position and then that person will not get paid.

This is why NOVA has like 56 positions not accounted for in the budget.

The employee will not talk for fear of retribution.This is the meaning of acting positions.This is how it works at NOVA.

Will it ever change? Unlikely because THE STATE DOES NOT CARE! This is not a public entity, it is a private one funded with taxpayer money.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Disappointed ()
Date: November 15, 2015 12:19PM

All these years as a NOVA employee and I feel I have been lied to and manipulated. I do know that there are a LOT of very hard working people at NOVA, mostly bottom rung people,that love their jobs and feel like family. There are a lot of people who really do try to help students through the policies and paper mess that has become standard everyday BS. Even though there is a lot of mess going on, it is mostly internal...I hope the public can see that NOVA can still offer a great education.

I feel bad for the new guy coming in and having to clean up this mess. I hope others will be patient and do their best to help him....good things come to those who wait and maybe...once the rotten core is removed, maybe some of the people who have been suppressed by it all, will have a chance to shine and grow with the new improved nova.

Reality check, I think I know who you are...but your secret is safe with me. :)

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: PepsiTruckDriver ()
Date: November 15, 2015 10:36PM

Northern Virginia Commmunity College is a tremendous resource for our community, but this institution has hit a very rough patch. A good analogy is that of the 2008 Banking/Mortgage crash. For years, banks were pumping poorly underwritten loans that were doomed to go to foreclosure. All the bad loans were hidden and the executives knew the game would be up, so had to take care of themselves before that happened and they did while common shareholders and retirement plans were wiped out.

The same thing happened at NOVA under the Templin administration. I believe he spoke of a projected 25 year increase in enrollment. So what do he do? He started rapidly increasing expenditures on new growth and fabricated high-paying Vice President and directory level positions. While some colleges pride themselves on a high number of faculty members per student, I think that NOVA is going for the record on the highest number of Vice Presidents and Directors per student.

Well, now that the economy started to bounce back a little, NOVA enrollment a have flattened out and gone down in some recent semesters. And...NOVA is left with a a high number of V.P's who are in positions not because of of competence, but because they used to be lower level employees who had the goods on their crooked bosses...they knew/know where the bodies are buried.

It took too long in coming, but this is part of the reason for the HR audit. When the old head of NOVA HR was supposed to have been shown the door, she was "given" a new special position under the VP of IT...that is some thing to look into. Old head of HR....bet she had the good on some people...VP of IT maybe.

More to come...The real story of NOVA is one for reality TV...lots of plethora of dysfunction!

President Scott Ralls, talk to the boots on the ground and give them immunity from the retaliatory system currently in place if you speak up!

NOVA can be a healthy environment again...President Ernst and President Wheelan were realistic and treated employees as equal human beings

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: FmrNOVAEmployee ()
Date: November 17, 2015 10:30AM

Does anyone have a copy of the email that President Ralls sent out? It's saddening to see that NOVA has come to this.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Fed up employee ()
Date: November 18, 2015 05:50PM

DR. RALLS IS FUCKEN CLUELESS INSTEAD OF A PROBLEM SOLVER HE CAME AND MADE IT WORST. DR. RALLS CAN SUCK A DICK!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Jeopardy ()
Date: November 18, 2015 07:57PM

Wow! Fed up employee you should look for another job. Especially if it's that bad for you.
Tsk,tsk,tsk, the leadership at NOVA should be ashamed. I have one foot out the door and it will be a surprise to many!

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Ssd ()
Date: November 21, 2015 02:30PM

Wow!!is a understatement and I am not impressed with Dr. Ralls either. After meeting him and hearing his vision for the future of the college. Every and I mean every Nova employee should be very concerned. I think anyone paying attention knows how bad it has become at the college. But trust me after listening to Dr.Ralls it is going to get far worse. To Nova's Administration Counsel please resign immediately. You have shamed and have brought the college to the brink of financial ruin. People are going to have to find job's based on your and Human Resources willfully breaking state policy and procedures and one has to ask, have any federal laws been broken as well. I don't believe all HR personal are involved just their leadership. How can a corrupt administration continue to lead when they know that the people they are leading don't believe in their leadership abilities.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA faculty ()
Date: November 22, 2015 01:40PM

In response to "fed up employee": this is why NOVA has problems, because it employs people like you. You should be ashamed of writing such dirt in an open forum.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Alert ()
Date: November 30, 2015 04:48PM

All P14 jobs are being cut on January 1,2016.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: twocents ()
Date: November 30, 2015 05:39PM

There is a lot of gobbledegook here that is confusing to outsiders of the NVCC culture, so I will try to clarify some of it in hopes that people who can do something about it, will. There is no use actually addressing these things openly because the dysfunction is permeated the entire system and you'll get called a racist or a whatever-ist if you say something.

A lot of the information on this forum relating to "religion" as a job qualification is in reference to a dean at one of the campuses, who was notoriously holding positions for church members and her family. Thankfully that one has been retired rather abruptly about a week ago. Her cynically dubbed, "friends and family program" is being disbanded as we speak, but it took over 5 years to do so, and morale on that campus is in the toilet. Many competant, credentialed, intelligent, and motivated people have left that campus in disgust because of that dean and her incompetence and corruption. The MEC campus is about the same, too. NVCC has too many of these Diversity Diva Dean hires who manage their departments like nasty high maintenance women who demand respect, rather than inspiring it.

The HR department gave these divas too much hiring power! IMHO Deans (and they) all really need an overhaul. So many campus positions are controlled by these diva deans who have the final say so on any position they choose....and they are academic snobs. So, you end up with them hiring PhDs as receptionists because they have more education than ordinary folks who interview for admin positions, and the Drs are useless because they only know how to go to school and make reports, they don't actually know how to work. NVCC needs people who actually get hired and stay in a position, instead of using it as a stepping stone to higher salaries where they can delegate all the work to the real employees.

If Ralls is smart he will start with retiring the VPs who have been there a long time---especially in Student Services-- he should ask them to take an early retirement starting Jan 1. Then he can start eliminating all these dozens of "Coordinator" positions, which are really just empty jobs that pay upwards of $79K to shift paperwork and plan endless, non-productive meetings. I sit in them all the time and while they make plans that go nowhere, I just quietly answer emails on my iPad, because I am trying to get real work done.

If the leadership really wanted to know what was going on they would have an anonymous suggestion box. This forum is an excellent place to start and I hope that Ralls is reading these so he knows the real deal. One of the people on the forum in an earlier post mentioned that the Veterans department needed to have some change. It definitely does and those who want to do so are hampered by the VP who is out of touch with what happens on the campuses and has allowed serious mismanagement of funds to occur on their watch. Instead of coming down from the ivory tower and talking to the worker bees she depends on one person to control everything without independent verification of what she says, and so she believes anything that she tells her. The current acting head of military services had a job description wired so specifically for her that nobody could even come close to the requirements and so nobody bothered to apply for it. It was a joke amongst the deans that they were not qualified for the position! It was also restricted to internal applicants only, and it was the wrong thing to do because the problems need to be solved by someone who is a change agent and is capable of actually managing and formulating a standardized operating procedure across all campuses (which is what the real problem is!). On this VPs and the acting director's watch there were two disaterous audits in a row, but they are in on it together and nothing will change! They just use funds to pay the VA back for the mistakes that are made, and do it fast to keep NVCC's name out of the paper.

As long as NVCC is addicted to diversity instead of competancy, people who fit quotas instead of having necessary leadership and management experience will be in these positions creating more problems.

just to be clear--the hiring freeze is on for staff positons--the ones that get things done--until the contracts for the nepotism candidates run out. They probably won't be renewed. Until then, they get paid! That money is set aside to fund those salaries. So until July when the contracts are up, we're all effed. A lot of jobs that were on the table for hiring got pulled because of the audit results. There are good people that I have tried to bring in to this place that are never able to get an interview. Its a (insert profanity here) shame.

I hope things change but I am a realist. We will see. Everybody starts out here full of energy and ready to charge the hill--and is totally beaten down in the end. It takes about six years till you get it through your thick head that this is NVCC, and it ain't gonna change.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 01, 2015 06:27PM

U.S. Department of Education Releases List of Higher Education Institutions with Open Title IX Sexual Violence Investigations

December 1, 2015

Contact: Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released today a list of the higher education institutions under investigation for possible violations of federal law over the handling of sexual violence and harassment complaints.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. In the past, Department officials confirmed individual Title IX investigations at institutions, but today's list is the first comprehensive look at which campuses are under review by OCR for possible violations of the law's requirements around sexual violence.

"We are making this list available in an effort to bring more transparency to our enforcement work and to foster better public awareness of civil rights," Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon said. "We hope this increased transparency will spur community dialogue about this important issue. I also want to make it clear that a college or university's appearance on this list and being the subject of a Title IX investigation in no way indicates at this stage that the college or university is violating or has violated the law."

As with all OCR investigations, the primary goal of a Title IX investigation is to ensure that the campus is in compliance with federal law, which demands that students are not denied the ability to participate fully in educational and other opportunities due to sex.

The Department will not disclose any case specific facts or details about the institutions under investigation. The list includes investigations opened because of complaints received by OCR and those initiated by OCR as compliance reviews. When an investigation concludes, the Department will disclose, upon request, whether OCR has entered into a resolution agreement to address compliance concerns at a particular campus or found insufficient evidence of a Title IX violation there.

The list of institutions under investigation for Title IX sexual violence issues will be updated regularly and made available to the public upon request by contacting OCR or to media by contacting the Press Office at press@ed.gov.

Releasing this list advances a key goal of President Obama's White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault to bring more transparency to the federal government's enforcement activities around this issue. The Obama administration is committed to putting an end to sexual violence particularly on college campuses. That's why the President established the Task Force earlier this year with a mandate to strengthen federal enforcement efforts and provide schools with additional tools to combat sexual assault on their campuses.

As part of that work, the Education Department released updated guidance earlier this week describing the responsibilities of colleges, universities and schools receiving federal funds to address sexual violence and other forms of sex discrimination under Title IX. The guidelines provide greater clarity about the requirements of the law around sexual violence as requested by institutions and students.

All colleges, and universities and K-12 schools receiving federal funds must comply with Title IX. Schools that violate the law and refuse to address the problems identified by OCR can lose federal funding or be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for further action.

Under federal law, sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person's will or where a person is incapable of giving consent including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse and sexual coercion.

OCR's mission is to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the nation through the vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination by educational institutions on the basis of disability, race, color, national origin, sex, and age, as well as the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001. Additional information about the office is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html.

This list reflects investigations open as of July 1, 2015. Schools are listed alphabetically by state.

State Institution
AZ Arizona State University
CA Butte-Glen Community College District
CA Occidental College
CA University of California-Berkeley
CA University of Southern California
CO Regis University
CO University of Colorado at Boulder
CO University of Colorado at Denver
CO University of Denver
CT University of Connecticut
DC Catholic University of America
FL Florida State University
GA Emory University
HI University of Hawaii at Manoa
ID University of Idaho
IL Knox College
IL University of Chicago
IN Indiana University-Bloomington
IN Vincennes University
MA Amherst College
MA Boston University
MA Emerson College
MA Harvard College
MA Harvard University—Law School
MA University of Massachusetts-Amherst
MD Frostburg State University
MI Michigan State University
MI University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
NC Guilford College
NC University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ND Minot State University
NH Dartmouth College
NJ Princeton University
NY Cuny Hunter College
NY Hobart and William Smith Colleges
NY Sarah Lawrence College
NY Suny at Binghamton
OH Denison University
OH Ohio State University
OH Wittenberg University
OK Oklahoma State University
PA Carnegie Mellon University
PA Franklin and Marshall College
PA Pennsylvania State University
PA Swarthmore College
PA Temple University
TN Vanderbilt University
TX Southern Methodist University
TX The University of Texas-Pan American
VA College of William and Mary
VA University of Virginia
VA Northern Virginia Community College
VA George Mason University
VA Virginia International University
VA Virginia Tech
VA James Madison University
VA Virginia Commonwealth University
VA Virginia Community College System
WA Washington State University
WI University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
WV Bethany College
WV West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 01, 2015 06:42PM

Letter from Department of Education Re: Schools’ Obligations to Remedy Financial Consequences of Violence

December 1, 2015

Dear Know Your IX and the United States Students Association:

Thank you for your organization's’ letter to Secretary Duncan and me, dated November 23, 2015, in which you shared your concern about the economic consequences faced by survivors of student on student sexual violence and urged the Department’s Office for Civil Rights to clarify schools’ obligations to address this problem under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

As your letter notes, OCR’s recent guidance has made clear that when student on student sexual violence creates a hostile environment, the school must take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the sexual violence, eliminate the hostile environment, and prevent its recurrence. Further, if a school delays responding to allegations of sexual violence or responds inappropriately, the school’s own inaction may subject the student to a hostile environment. If it does, the school will also be required to remedy the effects of the sexual violence that could reasonably have been prevented had the school responded promptly and appropriately.

Our most recent guidance on this topic specifically noted that "interim measures are determined by a school on a case by case basis.” We highlighted a concrete question about whether a school’s provision of access to all students to counseling on a fee basis would suffice for providing counseling as an interim measure before the completion of its investigation when necessary to ensure equal access to education programs and to protect a complainant. In our answer, we noted that “if a school determines that it needs to offer counseling to the complainant as part of its Title IX obligation to take steps to protect the complainant while the investigation is ongoing, it must not require the complainant to pay for this service.” The principles in that answer apply more broadly to the provision of remedies. If remedies are necessary to ensure equal access to education programs, a school cannot require a student to pay for receipt of those remedies. The specific remedies offered and the process for implementing those remedies will vary depending on the facts of each case. For example, if a school’s ignoring of a student’s complaints of sexual assault by a fellow student results in the complaining student having to remain in classes with the other student for several weeks and the complaining student’s grades suffer because he or she was unable to concentrate in these classes, the school may need to permit the complaining student to withdraw or retake the classes without an academic or financial penalty (in addition to any other remedies) in order to address the effects of the sexual violence. As you note in your letter, resolution agreements OCR has negotiated to resolve investigations have included agreements to reimburse survivors for educational expenses where those remedies are required to eliminate a hostile environment or remedy the effects of sexual violence, as appropriate. We hope and expect that greater transparency regarding resolutions of our investigations, coupled with our guidance, will cement the principles of Title IX.

Thank you for your continued leadership in advocating for the rights of survivors of sexual assault in our schools.

Sincerely,

Catherine E. Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100

Telephone: 800-421-3481
FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov

Civil Rights Hotline
Call the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at 1-800-421-3481 to report any educational discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, etc., request information on civil rights compliance programs, procedures for filing discrimination complaints, or access to civil rights regulatory and policy documents. The local number in Washington, D.C. is 202-453-6100. Federal Relay Service. Email: ocr@ed.gov.

See the OCR Contact Us page to find the enforcement office serving your area or use the OCR Electronic Complaint Form. http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 01, 2015 06:52PM

SCHAEFFER v. NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NO. 1:14CV1128 (JCC/IDD).
TODD SCHAEFFER, Plaintiff, v. NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Defendant.

United States District Court, E.D. Virginia, Alexandria Division.
November 30, 2015.
Todd Schaeffer, Plaintiff, Pro Se.

Northern Virginia Community College, Defendant, represented by Noelle L. Shaw-Bell, Office of the Attorney General.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

JAMES C. CACHERIS, District Judge.

This matter is before the Court on Defendant Northern Virginia Community College's ("NVCC" or "Defendant") Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim and Subject Matter Jurisdiction. [Dkt. 29.] For the following reasons, the Court will grant the motion.

I. Background

Todd Schaeffer ("Schaeffer" or "Plaintiff") is a former student at NVCC who took several courses from 2006 to 2011. (Def.'s Mem. in Supp. [Dkt. 153-1] at 2.) Beginning in 2007, Schaeffer submitted grade appeals for seven of those courses. (Id.; see also Compl. [Dkt. 1], Ex. 1, at 17-24.) Pursuant to NVCC's grade appeal policy, he appealed to his professors, the dean, provost, and the president of NVCC. (Id.; see also Compl., Ex. 1, at 24-30.)

Schaeffer's complaint contains a litany of allegations. First, he alleges that "[a]ppeals, complaints, and grievances processes did not always follow policy manual but discretion of faculty," and that his "records were altered and not corrected." (Compl. at 1.) He also alleges that "modifications" to NVCC's computer resources rendered him "unable to perform the functions necessary for timely completion of courses." (Id.) "Requests for help and extension were wrongfully denied." (Id.) Additionally, Schaeffer alleges that a grievance panel was not appointed to hear "grievable matter" related to violations. (Id.)

As a remedy, Schaeffer seeks $1,9450.00 as reimbursement for thirteen credit hours, $400.00 in legal expenses, and $350.00 for administrative costs. (Id.) "Also, [NVCC] is to provide an official transcript reflecting accurate number of completed credits, correct grade point average (GPA), Bookkeeping and Contract Management (Cum Laude) Certificates with correct graduation dates, and Dean's List standing Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2009." (Id.)

It is unclear under what legal theory Schaeffer is asserting in his complaint. It appears from the complaint that he is bringing suit under 34 C.F.R. § 21.10 and 34 C.F.R. § 33.2. (Id. at 1.) NVCC has moved to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) and for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). (Def.'s Mem. in Supp.at 1.) Having been fully briefed and argued, this motion is ripe for disposition.

II. Legal Standard

A. Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction

"It is a principle of first importance that the

federal courts are tribunals of limited subject matter jurisdiction." 13 Charles Alan Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice & Procedure § 3522. "ubject matter jurisdiction relates to a federal court's power to hear a case, and that power is generally conferred by the basic statutory grants of subject matter jurisdiction, such as 28 U.S.C. § 1331 or 28 U.S.C. § 1332." Holloway v. Pagan River Dockside Seafood, Inc., 669 F.3d 448, 453 (4th Cir. 2012). Section 1331, known as federal question jurisdiction, empowers a federal district court to hear "all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States." 28 U.S.C. § 1331. Section 1332, known as diversity jurisdiction, grants a federal district court jurisdiction over "all civil actions where the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and is between citizens of different states[.]" 28 U.S.C. § 1332. The burden is on the party invoking the court's jurisdiction (typically the plaintiff) to establish subject matter jurisdiction. Allen v. College of William & Mary, 245 F.Supp.2d 777, 782 (E.D. Va. 2003). Dismissal is the only remedy when a federal court finds subject matter jurisdiction lacking. Matthews v. Fairfax Trucking, Inc., No. 1:14cv1219-GBL-IDD, 2015 WL 1906073, at *2 (E.D. Va. Apr. 15, 2015) (citing cases).

A defendant may challenge subject matter jurisdiction through a motion pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1). "[A] defendant may present a facial attack on upon the complaint where the complaint fails to allege facts upon which subject matter jurisdiction may be based." Kerns v. United States, 585 F.3d 187, 192 (4th Cir. 2009) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). In such a case, the court assumes the truth of all facts alleged by the plaintiff. Id.

Alternatively, a defendant may contend that "the jurisdictional allegations are not true." Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). "In that situation, the presumption of truthfulness normally accorded a complaint's allegations does not apply, and the district court is entitled to decide disputed issues of fact with respect to subject matter jurisdiction." Id. Thus, a district court may go beyond the allegations of the complaint and hold an evidentiary hearing to determine if there are facts to support the jurisdictional allegations. Id.

B. Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim

In contrast to a 12(b)(1) motion, which addresses whether a plaintiff has a right to be in federal district court at all, a 12(b)(6) motion addresses whether the plaintiff has stated a cognizable claim, or, in other words, that a complaint is sufficient in that it details a legal cause of action. Holloway, 669 F.3d at 453. The Supreme Court has stated that in order "[t]o survive a motion to dismiss, a [c]omplaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to `state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). "A claim has facial plausibility when the pleaded factual content allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Id. The issue in resolving such a motion is not whether the non-movant will ultimately prevail, but whether the non-movant is entitled to offer evidence to support his or her claims.

"Determining whether a complaint states a plausible claim for relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679 (citations omitted). To survive a motion to dismiss, a plaintiff's complaint must demand more than "an unadorned, the-defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555. Legal conclusions couched as factual allegations are not sufficient. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555. Hence, a pleading that offers only "formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557. Nor will a complaint that tenders mere "naked assertion" devoid of "further factual enhancement." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557.

Moreover, the plaintiff does not have to show a likelihood of success on the merits. Rather, the complaint must merely allege — directly or indirectly — each element of a "viable legal theory." Twombly, 550 U.S. at 562-63.

III. Analysis

The Court first turns to whether it has jurisdiction to hear this case. This case is properly viewed as a facial attack on subject matter jurisdiction, as NVCC is alleging that there are no facts present that bring this action within the Court's jurisdiction.

There is no diversity jurisdiction here. Both Schaeffer and NVCC are citizens of Virginia, and the amount in controversy is well short of the $75,000.00 threshold. The only way this matter could be in federal court is if the cause of action is grounded in federal law. Schaeffer points to 34 C.F.R. § 21.10 and 34 C.R.F § 33.2 as the bases for this Court's jurisdiction. Neither are sufficient to vest this Court with jurisdiction.

The first regulation, 34 C.F.R. § 21.10, implements the Equal Access to Justice Act at the Department of Education. The Equal Access to Justice Act provides for the prevailing party in an action against the United States to collect attorney's fees and costs. 28 U.S.C. § 2412. This includes court proceedings of judicial review of agency action. Id. The regulation cited by Schaeffer details which Department of Justice adversary adjudications fall within the ambit of the Equal Access to Justice Act. 34 C.F.R. § 21.10. Since the regulation does not supply a cause of action but rather details when a prevailing party may recover costs, it does not meet the requirement that the cause of action "arise from" federal law. Thus, the regulation does not supply a source of jurisdiction under federal question jurisdiction.1

Likewise, 34 C.F.R. § 33.2 does not provide a source of jurisdiction for this Court. That regulation is a list of definitions for the regulatory scheme implementing the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act at the Department of Education. The Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act imposes civil penalties and assessments on anyone who knowingly submits a false claim or statement to a federal agency. 31 U.S.C. § 3802. Because this regulation is part of the administrative scheme developed by the Department of Education to root out fraud in its programs, it does not implicate a federal court's jurisdiction.

Even if the complaint could be construed to properly assert a basis for this Court's jurisdiction, the result would still be the same. Schaeffer has failed to allege a prima facie case under any theory of law. The facts alleged do not describe any specific legal misconduct by NVCC. Rather, the complaint merely details his disagreement with NVCC about his academic performance and carefully details all of the administrative channels he pursued in pursuit of a grade change. Dissatisfaction with grades, while disappointing, does not make a federal lawsuit. See Regents of Univ. of Mich. V. Ewing, 474 U.S. 214, 226 (1985) ("If a federal court is not the appropriate forum in which to review the multitude of personnel decisions that are made daily by public agencies, far less is it suited to evaluate the substance of the multitude of academic decisions that are made daily by faculty members of public educational institutions — decisions that require an expert evaluation of cumulative information and [are] not readily adapted to the procedural tools of judicial or administrative decisionmaking.") (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Therefore, even if the Court had jurisdiction over the case, the complaint must be dismissed for failing to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

Additionally, the complaint fails to satisfy the pleading requirements under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8, which requires "a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Rule 8's major function is to provide notice to the opposing party of the claims against it. See Sanyal v. Toyota Motor N. Am., No. 1:14cv960, at *2 (E.D. Va. Sept. 30, 3014) (citing 5 Wright & Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 1202)). Here, NVCC cannot properly respond to the complaint because the complaint is too speculative for NVCC to be on notice of the claims against it. See Garris v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, No. 1:14cv118, 2014 WL 1385872, at *2 (E.D. Va. Apr. 9, 2014) ("Plaintiffs' claims are unintelligible. It is impossible to tell what any Defendant is alleged to have done wrong, let alone whether relief is appropriate."). Therefore, the complaint fails to meet the requirements of Rule 8 and, if the Court had jurisdiction, the complaint would be dismissed on these grounds as well.

IV. Conclusion

For the following reasons, the Court will dismiss this action. Schaeffer has thirty days from the date of this Memorandum Opinion and accompanying Order to notice his appeal.

FootNotes


1. As NVCC notes, the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education did not adjudicate Schaeffer's grade appeal. (Def.'s Mem. in Supp. at 7-8.) Thus, even if this regulation could support this Court's jurisdiction, there are no facts in this case that implicate 34 C.F.R. § 21.10.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Young and the restless ()
Date: December 01, 2015 08:05PM

Hmmm,

What was the purpose of your post Nova Mayor? Are you one of the attorneys working for NOVA trying to scare folks off?

If so you might want to try a different tactic people aren't afraid.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 01, 2015 08:27PM

I am not an attorneys working for Northern Virginia Community College. Thanks Young and the restless for you kind words.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Ssd ()
Date: December 01, 2015 08:41PM

Mr. or Ms. Mayor could you enlighten us or what you are sharing with the rest of the blog. Thank you for kind input and interested in learning more.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA2015 ()
Date: December 01, 2015 08:48PM

Keep up the outstanding work Mr. or Ms. NOVA Mayor. This is super interested to me.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Alert ()
Date: December 01, 2015 08:53PM

I agree with NOVA2015 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Keep up the outstanding work Mr. or Ms. NOVA
> Mayor. This is super interested to me.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 01, 2015 08:57PM

I want to give this blog group some good information about the Letter from Department of Education Re: Schools’ Obligations to Remedy Financial Consequences of Violence, U.S. Department of Education Releases List of Higher Education Institutions with Open Title IX Sexual Violence Investigations, SCHAEFFER v. NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Court Case


Ssd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mr. or Ms. Mayor could you enlighten us or what
> you are sharing with the rest of the blog. Thank
> you for kind input and interested in learning
> more.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Hang man ()
Date: December 01, 2015 09:15PM

I smell a rat!! Hahaha


NOVA Mayor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I want to give this blog group some good
> information about the Letter from Department of
> Education Re: Schools’ Obligations to Remedy
> Financial Consequences of Violence, U.S.
> Department of Education Releases List of Higher
> Education Institutions with Open Title IX Sexual
> Violence Investigations, SCHAEFFER v. NORTHERN
> VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Court Case
>
>
> Ssd Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Mr. or Ms. Mayor could you enlighten us or what
> > you are sharing with the rest of the blog.
> Thank
> > you for kind input and interested in learning
> > more.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: FUBAR ()
Date: December 01, 2015 09:33PM

Has anyone heard the latest and greatest budgetary screw up by the wonderful minds of NOVA?

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Ssd ()
Date: December 01, 2015 09:39PM

Now,now we need to thank Mr.or Ms. mayor for providing this helpful information on who to contact to file a federal EEOC complaint or a class action suit. I know many Nova employee's have be trying to figure out who to contact. Thank you Mr.or Ms. Mayor for such good information.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: FUBAR ()
Date: December 01, 2015 09:44PM

Ssd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now,now we need to thank Mr.or Ms. mayor for
> providing this helpful information on who to
> contact to file a federal EEOC complaint or a
> class action suit. I know many Nova employee's
> have be trying to figure out who to contact. Thank
> you Mr.or Ms. Mayor for such good information.


I'm still not really following what his post is trying to help with.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: muckrackerNVCC ()
Date: December 01, 2015 11:52PM

NOVA faculty Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In response to "fed up employee": this is why NOVA
> has problems, because it employs people like you.
> You should be ashamed of writing such dirt in an
> open forum.

How can you say such a thing?

This is the last place anybody should resort to writing dirt like list, but they were driven to it. Using any more proper of a channel would cause unfair consequences to the complainers.

If they're wrong, they're just an idiot barking at a tree.

If they're right - and THEY certainly believe that THEY are right - they care more to bring it out in an anonymous forum than to just quit and leave their peers.

I didn't read closely enough to see if the claims are specific enough to be truly libelous. I'm sure some freak will jump up and scream "libel," but thankfully he won't be the one judging.

It will take much to right this organization. There will be casualties both wanted and unwanted.

Throwing such a hateful comment exhibits exactly why they had no proper means.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: predictions ()
Date: December 02, 2015 12:14AM

I have a prediction regarding how this will play out. I have one. Who wants to make good guesses at how this plays out?

My prediction:
-Those at the top of most things will stay - such as positions that appear at every college system.

-The illegal/poor hiring will be passively and slowly corrected via the means that most protect the organization from lawsuits and backlash.

-The financial consequences will be bourne by neither of the two groups above.

-The employees with no power or voice will suffer overwork from inadequate staffing.

-The employees with value will leave because it is the only way they can show any power or voice.

-Maintenance will be under-funded. The place won't fall apart but it will go from "not yet remodeled" Target to "Jermantown" K-Mart before long.

-Students will be negatively affected. This is the bad one. Projected tuition numbers supporting this plan will initially hold. It will eventually fail as the under-funded sad K-Mart feel drives down enrollment. Unrelated good U.S. economic news will drive it down further.


TLDR: If they fix this the right way - all that money saved by removing the fools will be spent on the lawyers. Student enrollment will drop regardless - making whatever plan they choose hard to execute.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Rat Man ()
Date: December 02, 2015 06:58AM

This is from some blog website. U.S. Department of Education Releases List of Higher Education Institutions with Open Title IX Sexual Violence Investigations - There are no Title IX Sexual Violence Investigations at Northern Virginia Community College or at Virginia Community College System at this time. Also SCHAEFFER v. NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Court Case is about six months old.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 02, 2015 08:48AM

U.S. Department of Education Releases List of Higher Education Institutions with Open Title IX Sexual Violence Investigations. This information is true. DOE is meeting with NOVA staff this morning. I will posted updates after the meeting today.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: Ray Man ()
Date: December 02, 2015 09:35AM

There is not meeting today with DOE with NOVA staff. You are joking NOVA Mayor.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 02, 2015 09:38AM

I was joking about the DOE meeting today with NOVA staff lol. I hope things change at NOVA for our students and staff. We need to come together as one college again not as six campuses.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: twocents ()
Date: December 02, 2015 11:59AM

I unfortunately have to agree with predictions' bullet points.

I would like to add one thing to this sad list of predictions. I hope and pray that it is not true, but I predict that we will have a situation with an active shooter or worse, and our police presence will not be adequate enough to address it without many casualties. he police train and train and are professionals, but they are woefully understaffed and are 20 years behind other police departments in major metropolitan areas as far as having the proper equipment. We are too big an organization to not have more officers to cover the campus on their shifts. The events of the past year have culminated in an atmosphere where all police are under attack because of the actions of a few bad apples. Not having enough police presence here not only is bad for us safety-wise, but it also puts the police at risk when responding to situations.

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Re: VCCS Audit of NVCC HR
Posted by: NOVA Mayor ()
Date: December 02, 2015 12:21PM

I see other community colleges around the United States doing lockdown drills every semester. NOVA doesn't do them. They need to get more police officers at NOVA. OEM just got a brand new alert system in placed at all NOVA campuses. I think NOVAPD should have police dogs at each campus and center.

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