Radford

RADFORD – The Radford University Board of Visitors adopted a resolution of compliance with the Radford University Debt Management Policy and heard a variety of reports from campus leaders regarding financial and academic matters during its Feb. 9-10 meetings in Richmond.

President Penelope W. Kyle presented an overview of major campus events and activities that had occurred since the board’s Nov. 2009 meeting, including the launch of the university’s Centennial Celebration, weather-forced postponements of Winter Commencement and Homecoming, and updates on academic programs, admissions and recruitment, intercollegiate athletics programs, the College of Business and Education building project and other areas.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Joe Scartelli updated the board on the status of the university’s doctoral programs in nursing practice and physical therapy.  It was Scartelli’s first meeting with the board since assuming his interim appointment on Jan. 1, and he also discussed the national search the university is preparing to launch for a provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Scartelli also presented a detailed overview of the academic promotion and tenure processes for faculty-members.  At their retreat last October, Board members had stated that they wished to learn more about the process of awarding tenure to faculty at RU and about the promotion process.  As part of his presentation, Scartelli gave each BOV member a copy of the American Association of University Professors’ “AAUP Policy Documents and Reports,” which contains detailed information about internal governance and other issues on college and university campuses. 

Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Richard Alvarez made a report to the board on the university’s 2009-2010 budget and presented an outlook for the 2010-2011 budget. 

Faculty Senate President and Faculty Representative to the Board Stephen Owen told the BOV that the semester was off to a good start, and he discussed the process by which the existing internal governance system will be evaluated and enhanced, talked about the faculty’s involvement in new strategic planning efforts, and briefed the Board on the work that he and Scartelli are doing to launch the search for a new provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Student Government President and Student Representative to the Board Matthew Clem discussed student engagement with the Centennial Celebration, as well as SGA involvement with Virginia 21, a statewide organization of student leaders at Virginia’s public colleges and universities that advocates for higher education.

The board changed the date of its next meeting from April-28-29 to May 6-7. RU’s 2010 Spring Commencement will be held on May 8.