Dear Editor,

My name is Allison Tillett and I am in my final semester at Radford University. I have been a Religious Studies major for six semesters and have completed my class requirements. I enrolled at Radford in the Fall of 2004 under the previous administration. I was supportive of the Kyle administration because she brought a new light to Radford’s development. I also trusted that she would do a great job and was pleased to find out she was a good friend and former colleague of my uncle in Richmond, Virginia, when she was in the lottery chair.

The administration prioritized refurbishing the landscape of Radford and improving buildings. The new administration also developed the school of business and has helped Radford become more competitive.

However, I found it to literally be a slap in the face when the Religious Studies/Philosophy department offices were removed from Fairfax Hall, one of the original buildings and chapel of Radford University, and moved into old apartment buildings on the outskirts of campus. The administration proclaimed that the old chapel would be restored and made into a museum for us to enjoy. OK, I could live with that, I support culture!

Still, in more than two years nothing has been done, the building has gone untouched. When Russell Hall was renovated to support the offices of the Humanities and Sciences, the college in which Religious Studies and Philosophy belongs to, our department was excluded from the building. This is outrageous! Now I am being told that my department has to “prove” itself? And the professors whom I have admired and loved have to defend their tenure?

My professors have been the most outstanding, professional, and personal teachers I could ever hope for. They are the only reason I remained at Radford instead of transferring to a bigger university. However, my concerns are beyond my own department. I have friends who are due to graduate with me whose majors have been cut.

I cannot bare to watch the liberal arts department and Math and Science departments lose funds, staff, and students because Kyle and her administration decided an MBA program and a new sports facility were more important than any other facility on campus. I want to graduate and be proud of my degree and the university I attended. I am completely underwhelmed and absolutely disappointed in Kyle’s attention and dedication to the greater student body.

Sincerely,
Allison Tillett

Radford, Virginia