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PARKERSBURG - West Virginia University at Parkersburg wants student, staff and community input on the future of the college.

The WVU-P Board of Governors met in emergency session Monday, but stopped short of taking any official action on a series of agreements with West Virginia University.

Instead, the board has asked for creation of an online survey and several student, staff and public forums to be held within the next 21 days to give the board guidance on how to proceed.

The situation arose last year from the passage of House Bill 3215, which split the regional campus from its parent university. The deal would allow the two schools to continue their relationship, but only if an agreement is reached by July 1.

Two of the three agreements needed to keep the colleges working together have been approved by WVU's Board of Governors, but have not yet been accepted by the local board. The first is a memorandum of understanding, which would make WVU-P an affiliated campus of WVU. The second is a trademark agreement which would give the local college use of WVU's name and logo, but only for the next two years.

The third agreement, which is still being worked out, would govern services between the two schools. Officials said that agreement likely will not be finalized until June.

Members of the WVU-P board say the limited trademark agreement would not give the local campus the security it needs to grow, but members of the WVU board say they are protecting the university's trademark.

"This institution would be put into a position of negotiating our name every two years," said board Chairman Joe Campbell. "We are looking for the best, long-term solution which would serve the students and the community."

Some board members expressed concern over both signing the agreement or having the college strike out on its own, saying the uncertainty or loss of the WVU name and logo could affect the college's ability to attract and retain students and faculty.

"This creates a lot of angst," said board member Gerard El Chaar. "I don't know if any of you would want to invest in something that in two years might go away."

Other board members expressed frustration with WVU's decisions which have been made under an interim president and relatively new board of governors.

"We've probably been kinder to WVU than they've been to us," said member Keith Burdette. "I'm of the opinion WVU-P doesn't need WVU."

Still other board members urged the group to continue seeking a mutually beneficial solution.

"I understand the trademark concerns," said board member Greg Smith. "We need to keep this thing open."

Burdette, Campbell and other members of the board called for the creation of an online survey which could be given to students, staff and opened to the public to receive more input on the issue. The group assigned board and faculty members to schedule forums on and off campus to allow for more public input.

Dates and times as well as the Web address for the online poll likely will be released within the next week, officials said. A second emergency meeting has been scheduled for May 18 for the board to receive an update on the data collection.

The board is scheduled to vote on the contracts at its June 10 meeting.

"At the end of the day, the board will have to make a decision," Burdette said.

In the meantime, Campbell said the local board would continue to follow up with Gov. Joe Manchin's office and the WVU Board of Governors. The WVU board is schedule to meet again June 4 in either Morgantown or Charleston.