Monday didn’t turn out the way Mike Dunn and Marc Jacobsen could have ever imagined. Dunn, the director of New Student Programs at Radford University, and Jacobsen, an assistant director, were each told Monday morning that their positions were being terminated and they had until 5 p.m. to be packed up and out.
By the time they returned to their offices, they had been locked out of their computers and no longer had access to e-mail.
Word of their termination and the termination procedure spread quickly throughout campus and students organized a rally in the New Student Programs (NSP) office at 5 p.m. Monday.
Rachel Ristow, a work study for NSP, led efforts to organize the rally. She said she wasn’t really a person who planned protests but she felt that the students needed to acknowledge the termination of NSP and the poor treatment of Dunn and Jacobsen by the administration.
Students were in shock, and many were outraged at the actions of the RU administration. One student spoke after another, taking turns to tell what New Student Programs—or sometimes more specifically Dunn and/or Jacobsen—meant to them in their time at RU. Students also wrote on a sign posted in the NSP office as another way to express their feelings.
A box of T-shirts made its way into the middle of the proceedings. The white T-shirt showed a penny being marked out on the front with the words on the back saying, “You just can’t get rid of a bad penny.” The T-shirt was directed at RU President Penny Kyle. Another student also suggested that fellow students purchase a second T-shirt circulating on campus that has a photo of Kyle’s face with the words, “Not my president” underneath.
Students voiced displeasure that Kyle accepted a hefty bonus and raise just a few months ago and is now eliminating departments and personnel in the name of budget cuts. Students also well remembered a budget open forum in April led by Kyle that turned into a public relations fiasco for Kyle and RU.
Also in April—in a Faculty Senate meeting in the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center at Radford University—senators voted 27-15 to form an ad hoc committee to investigate “numerous, serious, and credible allegations . . . that certain decisions and actions of members of the Radford University administration are in contravention of the RU Internal Governance Document and the Core Values expressed in the 7-17 plan,” according to the motion.
While controversy at RU cooled somewhat over the summer, just two weeks into a new semester the termination of two employees and a department seemed to bring back student and faculty ire toward the administration. “These two good men are not criminals,” wrote an RU faculty member in an e-mail regarding the termination and treatment of Dunn and Jacobsen. “Why are they being treated as such?”
Jeff Douglas, RU’s new Executive Director of University Relations and Chief Communications Officer, offered an official statement on the situation.
“As part of our efforts to cope with about $16 million in budget cuts in two years, a decision has been made to reorganize the Office of New Student Programs in Student Affairs,” Douglas wrote in an e-mail. “We deeply regret that the positions of two university employees have been discontinued as part of our efforts to realign our organizational structure and staffing situation with the realities of our new fiscal environment.
“The activities of the Office of New Student Programs will continue. New student orientation, transfer student orientation, SORTS [Students on the Road to Success], and University 100, which is a fall semester freshman course that is designed to help new students transition into university life, will still be offered. Administrative support and other personnel associated with the programs will continue to do their jobs and be supervised by other administrators within Student Affairs.”
While many at Monday’s gathering said they understood a need for budget cuts, they seemed most baffled by the timing of the terminations—two weeks into the semester—and the way in which it was handled. “It’s just not right,” one student said.
Dunn and Jacobsen, both obviously shaken by the events of the day, worked steadily to clean out their offices and kept a low profile as the students started to file into the NSP space for a rally. Dunn said he preferred not to comment on the situation except to say that he hoped his body of work over 24 years would speak for itself. Jacobsen, who had more than 10 years with RU, said, “This place had a heart and soul when I first came here. It doesn’t anymore.”
Last week, the Radford Board of Visitors unanimously approved state-funded severance and early retirement programs for faculty and staff expected to be laid off or to retire in the next year because of state budget cuts. Jacobsen said that he expected that he and Dunn would qualify for a severance package. He also said that technically the two were on administrative leave because due to their years of service they were supposed to receive six month’s notice of termination. Exact details of employment and severance, though, were unclear as of Monday afternoon.
And that left questions in Jacobsen’s mind. “If I’m still technically an employee, plus I’m an alumnus because I completed a certification program here, then why was my e-mail access cut off?” he said.
Meanwhile, students who spoke urged their fellow students to write to the Board of Visitors and to Kyle and Vice President of Student Affairs Norleen Pomerantz, who was the administrator who oversaw NSP.
Tim W. Jackson is Editor of the New River Voice.
55 responses so far ↓
1 Disgusted Coworker // Sep 14, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Mike, Mark, and all of the NSP Staff have been amazing to work with over the years. Their treatment was disgusting, disrespectful, and completely in line with Penny Kyle’s philosophy. She is a plague that is destroying everything that RU has worked so hard to create and grow over the years. This is just one of many major changes that have occured over the last few weeks that have been quietly swept under the rug. PK MUST GO BEFORE ALL IS LOST!!!
2 mdr // Sep 14, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Thank you Mike for your years of service to RU.
3 Nose // Sep 14, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Yes, thank you, Mike.
4 Karen // Sep 14, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Marc – You were definitely one of the best parts of RU – How will NSP ever survive without you?
5 Former NSP employee // Sep 14, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Mike and Marc were two of the best bosses i’ve ever had in my entire career. Not only that, but they have amazing hearts, and care so passionately for everyone they come across, and especially all of us that worked with them. I’m outraged, and disgusted at how dishonorably they were let go. They deserve better than this. Two of the best employees to ever work for RU hands down
6 Jimbob // Sep 14, 2009 at 8:27 pm
This is a sad day for my alma mater. I’m shocked and saddened, yet not surprised based on the history of Penny Kyle. She must go and she must go soon, this is getting ridiculous. Thank you, Mike….for EVERYTHING!
7 James // Sep 14, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Mike Dunn was one of the most influential faculty members during my undergraduate term at Radford University. I worked closely with both Mike and Mark functioning as a Quest Assistant as well as a University 100 student instructor. Mike was the reason I was as involved in so many organizations and I believe these men were the reason I succeeded so well, both in my academic and personal lives. To eliminate such valuable assets to the Radford family is appalling. Penny Kyle has done little for my alma mater short of selling beautiful “what ifs” and producing nothing. She is fiscally irresponsible and a burden on the faculty as well as the students. It terrifies me to think what is to come if this is the direction they are taking. Kyle’s methods of reform come at far to great a cost. Please don’t let her destroy the university I cherish. Reach out to other alumni and let the Administration know that we Alumni are concerned for these students and we need a new president…or for God’s sakes, bring back Covington!
Concerned Alumni, Class of 2007
8 Another disgusted coworker // Sep 14, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I’ve known and worked with Mike Dunn for well over a decade and known him to be a tremendous asset to the university. It’s a shame to see him treated in this way considering the service he’s given to the university. I understand that cuts sometimes need to be made but doing this without warning? Telling them to be out by 5? Cutting off their email access immediately? I used to think that PK took her cues on leadership from Dubya. Now I’m starting to think perhaps it’s Stalin.
9 No longer an RU supporter // Sep 14, 2009 at 9:00 pm
NSP, specifically Mike and Marc were the reason so many RU students chose a career in student programs. Mike was the heart and soul of the program and Marc the guy behind the scenes who helped make QUEST and other programs run so smoothly. RU administration has made a BIG mistake thinking people are accepting the “budget cut” story….no one is that stupid.
10 James // Sep 14, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Mike and Marc, you were two of the nicest, most hardworking, and fair people I had the chance to work with at Radford University. They have done both of you a grave disservice. WE ARE BEHIND YOU! Alumni will NOT stand for this…
11 Rebecca (Lerch) Roberts // Sep 14, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Mike and Marc did more good for RU than PK ever could. I am sending her an, copying Pomerantz, the BoT, and the media expressing my displeasure and I encourage you all to do the same.
12 Former Student // Sep 14, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I am outraged at the way this was handled! RU used to be one of the most amazing places. I was a student there and an employee for several years, leaving shortly after PK came into office. I have seen so many amazing administrators, who greatly shaped me as a student, become trampled down and disheartened by this administration at its practices. The focus of RU should be about the students and about education, something Mike and Marc wholeheartedly worked towards, not politics as so much of RU is becoming.
13 SB // Sep 14, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Mike and Mark! You both are the epitamy of hardworking! You have given your all to the “better years” of RU and all of the students you have served! After all, it should always be about the students and NSP honored that mission! I guess we can see that anyone will do anything for a “pretty penny!!” I am sad to be an alum of an institution that would treat such great staff in this way. RU will never be the same great place I was a part of….
14 Confused // Sep 14, 2009 at 9:55 pm
I just do not understand how so many people can simply ignore all of this!! There are so many things that this woman is doing to destroy this wonderful institution. It is unfair how Mike and Mark were treated, and it is just a small example of the drama that ensues at RU everyday. Every single employee is scared to death that they will do or say something that is counter to PK’s philosophy and they will be fired on the spot. She literally has had temper tantrums when people disagree with her. And it’s off with their heads, or she sends her minions to take care of it for her (aka Jo Kiernan.) SHE MUST GO BEFORE SHE MAKES ANYONE ELSE’S LIVES MISERABLE. HOW CAN THE BOV IGNORE ALL OF THIS????
15 PK // Sep 14, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Where can I get one of those T-shirts??!!
16 Rebekah // Sep 14, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Mike and Marc – we are all behind you and unfortunately, it has taken something this awful to finally make us stand up for our school. I do not think the alumni are going to let this be swept under the rug like so many other things have been. As a double – alumna I am embarrassed and completely saddened at what happened to you both today. Hard work and dedication should be rewarded. Please know that there are numerous individuals that know the contributions you have made to RU!
17 UNIV 100 PI (or.. was..) // Sep 14, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I would like to thank Mike and Marc for their great service that they brought to Radford. I am still a student here and am appalled at the way PK has treated the staff and made a soft cushion for her buddies on the Board. I was there when they had the rally and I can’t tell you how great it was to get the support from fellow PI’s and outside help. I hope PK realizes the mistake she made and that the world doesn’t revolve around her! She is selfish, inconsiderate of others, spends too much money on herself and not on others, and doesn’t give a lick about her students – if she did she would put down the money she gave herself and actually put it to good use.. not manicures and pedicures. Radford will never be the same as it was when I was in University 100. I am ashamed to say that I was part of this disastrous part of RU history. Mike and Marc will never be forgotten and I hope that PK gets this held over her head for the rest of her time here at Radford!
18 Glen T. Martin // Sep 15, 2009 at 5:16 am
This is truly astonishing and baffling. The RU administration were giving signs recently that they wanted to begin working to correct their past abuses of power that took the form of arbitratry, top-down decisions. Now this. Are they really that stupid?
19 RH // Sep 15, 2009 at 5:25 am
PK needs to realize that RU is not VT and she cannot transform it into them…it has (had) it’s own wonderful personality that separated the two. Apparently nobody cares what she is doing and just going to let it keep happening…we will see how long she stay with Radford as soon as her set term ends so she can get her nice b0nus for serving so many years. Sure she has brought a lot of money to the school but at what cost is it at? I bet a big company wouldn’t bring a person in without the qualifications to run their specific business just because they had the power to get money…being Pres. of a college is so much more than that but apparently I was wrong!!!
20 Callme Ishmael // Sep 15, 2009 at 5:33 am
When you said, “While controversy at RU cooled somewhat over the summer,… ” that was actually only partially true. While a number of faculty were still active in trying to bring about change over the summer the students off on their summer breaks certainly could not do so. However it is nice to see that the returning students have not lost their determination. The disastrous changes by the President and Provost of the past 2 years have led to this and these firings are squarely on their heads. Recall that it was the Provost who decided to leave unfilled for last year the admissions director position. That led to the vastly scaled back recruiting efforts last year–even the President’s high school kids did not receive mailings from RU, although they received such mailings from Tech, JMU, UVa, etc.
And we now have as a result 400 fewer incoming freshmen than the previous year. That translates into a total of $1.6 million in RU’s budget (about half from tuition, the other half from the state; 100 students=$400,000). This decision was made personally by the Provost in order to “save money.” Think about this: He acted decisively to save less than $100,000 last year. As a result of this “great” savings we lost $1.6 million.
RU’s Provost and President have tried to blame the “waiting lists” of places such as Tech, JMU, GMU, UVa, W&M, etc. for our student decreases. But it should be noted that all of these places have the same number of incoming students or even record numbers (e.g. UVa, W&M and Ferrum College!) this year.
Thus these two firings are due to the disastrous decision of Provost Wilbur Stanton. This Provost was appointed by President Kyle as one of her first decisions. These two people are directly responsible for the downward spiral on which RU is currently traveling.
21 Chris Arvidson // Sep 15, 2009 at 6:40 am
I’ve been on a Board of Trustees at a small college when times were tough and difficult budget constraints meant letting longtime and valuable employees go. This is not the way to do it.
22 Not Proud to be an RU Alumni // Sep 15, 2009 at 8:10 am
I am deeply saddened at the loss of Mark and Mike as a part of the RU Faculty and Staff. As an RU Alumni, I had the great opportunity to work with both and they left a great impact on my experience at Radford. Why are we losing the most influential staff members at RU? Mark, Mike, Steve Lerch, and many more. When I think back on my experience at RU, these faculty members actually sent me emails, helped me better myself as a student and a person, and actually cared about the future of Radford. I also had the chance to know President Kyle…who barely spoke to me and made me feel like she was too good to acknowledge a student. Are the Board of Directors really that mesmorized by President Kyle’s trance? I really think they need to wake up and realize how our University is feeling right now. It is not about her, it is about the RU Community. When I graduated I promised myself that I would be an active alumnis because I truly cared about Radford and what the University gave me. After all of these “budget cuts” and other excuses for destroying RU, I do not want to associate myself with the University. All President Kyle wants anyways from Alumni is money!!
23 Jeremy // Sep 15, 2009 at 9:00 am
I’m appalled at the actions of the current RU administration. Jacobsen had it right: There’s no longer a heart and soul. The college keeps changing — school colors, longtime personnel who WERE directly responsible for the success of many, many RU students, etc. — and it’s not for the better. I guess when you gamble with a political pick whose last stop was a lottery, you should expect this. I’m less proud of my degree today, and that’s something I never thought I’d say.
24 Speechless Alum // Sep 15, 2009 at 9:08 am
As a former QA and PI, full-time employee and someone who looks to Mike and Marc and all of NSP as mentors and friends in my college career AND BEYOND, I don’t even know where to begin. My life and countless others were positively and drastically changed for the better because of these men. Mike and Marc were extremely self-sacrificing individuals that no one will ever be able to measure up to. I wouldn’t be the person I am today and where I am today were it not for these men and this office! These men worked day and night to make programs and experiences happen, often times behind the scenes! A million and one thank-you’s would barely scratch the surface as to what these men deserve.
The budget cuts have been terrible and necessary, we know that, but it’s appalling as to how these situations have been handled in the last year. RU will never run the same way without these men who have played such an imperative role in the success of thousands of students and the entire university.
THANK YOU MIKE AND MARC!!
25 Former RU Employee // Sep 15, 2009 at 10:24 am
To treat such well-respected men like this, to lock them out of email access and to physically escort them off campus, only highlights, underlines and places in bold the truly classless way in which the RU admininstration continues to operate. I would like to applaud the students for their efforts in voicing their opinions of the atrocious treatment of these men and to encourage them to contact members of the RU Board of Visitors. As a former RU employee, I unfortunately witnessed more examples of the administration’s (particularly Penny Kyle, Jo Ann Kiernan and Wil Stanton) deplorable treatment of their colleagues. I heard them speak so poorly of facilities personnel, who have more class than they will ever possess, belittle students, and refer to faculty as “stupid.” It’s time the campus stand up to what could only be called bullying. No one should have to take that kind of treatment.
26 Former RU student // Sep 15, 2009 at 10:45 am
Penny Kyle gets a pay raise, then two employees are let go. Truly, unavoidable. What’s next, Penny gets the school to buy her a yacht and then two more people actually doing good work for the school get tossed?
Shiny pennies … they look nice, but they’re not worth much.
27 Kim // Sep 15, 2009 at 10:46 am
I know that we can bi@*# and moan but what can we REALLY do to stop all the craziness? Petitions to the Governor? The BOV? Have the Alum stop donating money to the school?
We know (to an extent) the issues of this administration. I’m ready to hear some solutions. Anyone have any?
28 Adrianne Brubaker // Sep 15, 2009 at 11:33 am
Mike Dunn had a profound impact on my life and career. Very few people who work at colleges and universities care about students and their success as much as Mike. My husband, also an alum, and I were planning a visit to Radford this October with our children. This news makes me not even want to go back for a visit.
29 unhappy student // Sep 15, 2009 at 12:40 pm
As one of the biggest advocates for freshman attending Radford I am sick to my stomach. I will NEVER reccomend this university to a high schooler again until President Kyle and her sidekick Dean Pomerantz leave.
Dean Pomerantz send an email to all students saying that the actions were taken “to protect what you as students came here to experience.” She obviously doesn’t care that New Student Programs protected our most vulnerable students more than any other program on campus: our FRESHMAN!
30 UVIN 100 PI // Sep 15, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I am really upset about what has happened here at RU – I mean NSP is what makes RU successful – NSP is a family and I have been a part of that family every since I was a freshman – Mike, mike who? Mike Dunn … he has been a father figure here in NSP for all of the Quest – oh yes I did say it QUEST assistants and puts his heart and soul into us, RU, NSP and all of our amazing new peers. Marc is papa bear number two – he is the shy but clever little spark that NSP gave to not only NSP employees but to all of RU – him and Mike played off eachother nicely and always gave a fresh new approach to every situation in a non boring and fun way! To see them go breaks my heart. They are probably up there with the most caring, genuine, and amazing peole that RU has …. had….to offer. It makes me sick to my stomache knowing that job security means absolutely nothing now at RU – budget cuts or not. Really NSP?! Enrollment is down so lets cut the program that allows that enrollment to see what RU has to offer – who shows them the their fellow peers are here for them – to actually give incoming freshmen a taste of college life through peer experiences. Really – the way that htis has come about is pathetic and gives RU a bad name – a bad rep – and everyone is pissed off about it. So some explaining better get done to the students or its going to be a long year – not only for administration but for pk as well.
31 Concerned // Sep 15, 2009 at 1:22 pm
As someone outside of RU, I’m confused about something. How is it you have a president that is making well over $300,000 per year, not including the fact that she gets a free house, cars, and who knows how many other benifits that we havent heard of yet, plus getting bonuses and such….that turns around and cuts peoples jobs? Maybe…just maybe…she should have considered taking a $40,000 pay cut to save at least the one job? Maybe instead of having a president who is one of the top paid administators in the country, Radford should go back to someone that wont completely remodel her office and home….at RU’s expense…..to be in charge. Maybe someone that actually wants to be there for the love of the school? It would be interesting to see just how many “perks” this woman actually gets as part of her job, and add that up to see if these two jobs could have been saved. She, like a couple of other folks involved with RU, look at it more as a stepping stone to bigger and better things as opposed to a chance to help make RU a better place. Shame on her and anyone else involved in making this decision.
32 dedicated NSP student leader // Sep 15, 2009 at 1:37 pm
NSP was an absolute gem here at Radford. I am currently a Senior and have been involved with NSP since I was a sophomore. NSP was what truly made Radford stand apart through it’s amazing orientation and other student-focused programs. Mike Dunn was the best boss I have ever had, being a boss and a friend. That office stood for so much and the student leaders bred through that office have gone on to do amazing things. Not one person in that office ran their program alone, it all was a group effort through the office, and now the seperation can only weaken this once strong unit. I thank NSP for the valuable leadership skills, memories and friendships. I am only sad that future students will not get the same experience as I and so many others did. Mike and Marc were truly irreplaceable. So dissapointed in the school that I love, but now love a little less..
33 RU Alum & Employee // Sep 15, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I agree with Concerned. Even if one of the top administrators took a voluntary cut or loss of benefits, it would go a very long way to improve morale. As it is, this shows their disdain for RU and its people. (In addition, of course, to treating two of RU’s most genuine and caring individuals like criminals.)
The RU diploma hanging in my office now hangs upside-down in protest to the childish, heartless, vindictive, power-grabbing buffoonery that continues on here.
34 Christi Boone // Sep 15, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Glenn — yes, they really are that stupid.
Like everyone else, I’m heartsick over this news. As a QUEST assistant nearly 20 years ago, I witnessed Mike’s passion for Radford, and her students.
Am I surprised? NO. This administration is incapable of making good decisions….we’ve witnessed it over and over. NOTHING will change until the entire upper-level administration is held accountable for these and prior actions.
Just when I think there’s nothing that could lessen my support for a once-loved alma mater and former place of employment, the knife twists deeper.
35 RU Alum & Employee // Sep 15, 2009 at 2:46 pm
And another thing: if the administration really has recommitted itself to transparency, let’s have some actual dollar figures attached to their “cost-saving” measures.
36 Lauren Lancaster-Bolser // Sep 15, 2009 at 3:19 pm
This really brought me back to remembering when I started at Radford. It was the heritage of a blossoming college turned university. We were still the Bee Hive, Tartan plaid were our “colors” because of the area heritage and we were proud to say the sister school of VT… because we knew our four “mothers” had paved a way to the prevailing learning institution that drew us in for its charm and the love of its students and faculty. I remember when Kyle came in and started pushing around some of my beloved professors, as a senior about to graduate I was angry at the Board for bringing in such a selfish President. This just goes to show she thinks that the history and the alumni of Radford will be forgotten. Maybe she should have looked into the affect these men had on the student body, not the effect of her wallet. Radford shapes and molds students into the people they will become and dictates the future they will hold. I don’t like to think that a dictator has a power grip over the next generation of Radford students and could she care less about them. Radford is not your run of the mill school where students are hidden behind each other in masses. Jacobsen and Dunn were ambassadors of a welcoming environment; that is a major attribute of RU. Something must be done.
37 Former QA, PI and Student Director UNIV100 // Sep 15, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Mike Dunn IS New Student Programs. PK has no idea how this is going to lower Radford’s freshmen success. If it was for Mike and Marc, the freshman retention rate, and enrollment of students would not have risen as it has. The programs that office had grasped the freshmen right at Quest(Orientation). They then continued to keep the freshmen academically and socially active with UNIV100, and FIRST. SORTS than was there to assist those who deserved a second chance. I remember taking the UNIV100 class…never imagining that I was going to be a UNIV100 Peer Instructor, Student Director of UNIV100, and Quest Assistant. It is hard for one to now support RU after such a horrific event has occurred that will lower the success rate of the freshmen. Those two men were truly devoted to freshmen succeeding at Radford.
38 ?Everything // Sep 15, 2009 at 4:45 pm
If you have been paying attention, you will notice that every time Penny and/or Stanton get raises or bonuses, Richmond announces budget cuts soon after. They have made sure that they have gotten their raise and bonus before the cuts, while faculty and staff suffer with nothing but disrespect and lies.
39 Todd Jones // Sep 15, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I am an alum and former QUEST assistant, I am shocked and saddened at the way my alma mata has treated these two dedicated individuals. I understand budget cuts so take that out of the equation. We treat people on death row with more respect and dignity. We tell them when they are going to be terminated and we feed them !!!!!! If Penny Kyle and her administration can look in the mirror at the end of the day and feel good about they way they handled this situation then they are evil!
Investing in lifetimes………Good Luck
40 Nichole Roles // Sep 15, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Mike Dunn and the NSP office are one of the true reasons why I found my calling in life. The guidance I found from him is the reason I will soon be graduating with a Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs, to go into this field of work to hopefully inspire others as you have done me.
Mike, you are inspirational and I am so very sorry for the situation and your treatment, we are losing such a vital piece of why I love my alma mater so very much.
41 Nick Shrader // Sep 15, 2009 at 9:47 pm
It was clear that President Dr. Covington and his administration that was ran off by President Penelope Kyle appreciated and knew what an asset Mike Dunn was to the Radford University community. You do not treat someone who has served an institution for 24 and 10 years the way that Mike Dunn and Marc Jacobsen were treated. I chose to go into the Higher Education and Student Affairs profession becuase of my involvements at RU. I specifically served as a Quest Assistant, QA2, and as a Univ 100 Peer Instructor. The impact that the New Student Programs office had on students is beyond words….it had such and impact on me that I decided to go into the field so I could touch student’s lives and mentor students the way that they have. I am honestly appalled and ashamed that my much cherished Radford University has become what it has under this administration. I will never understand how the Board of Visitors can pass a Resolution commending Mike Dunn and the New Students Programs Office in 2003 to what just happened 6 short years later. Is this the way you treat someone who has meant so much to so many people and the institution? We must send a clear message to the current administration that we will not stand for their unethical and irrational decisons before they destroy the RU that we all know and love.
Below are the minutes from a Board of Visitors Meeting on Feb 26-27, 2003 where a Resolution was passed commending Mike Dunn and the New Student Programs Office
Resolution in Appreciation
WHEREAS, Mr. Michael A. (“Mike”) Dunn has served Radford University with distinction since 1985 — since 1993 as Director of the Office of New Student Programs; and
WHEREAS, he is the articulate and passionate voice for new students at the University, continually reminding everyone that the academic, social, and personal welfare of our students, especially those new to and therefore unfamiliar with RU, must be kept at the forefront of the University’s mission; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dunn has served as the creative genius and driving force behind the implementation of effective programs and services to benefit first-year students, including Quest, UNIV 100, freshmen learning communities, community service days, the “Success Starts Here” seminar series, the “FIRST” and “SORTS” retention programs, and other activities; and
WHEREAS, he has served as an inspirational mentor to hundreds of student leaders who have assisted with the delivery of these programs; and
WHEREAS, he has shared his expertise about first-year students with numerous faculty and staff in workshops on the RU campus and with high school guidance counselors and others beyond Radford University, so that others might facilitate the success of first-year students; and
WHEREAS, Radford University’s freshman-to-sophomore retention rate has increased by approximately fifteen percent in the ten years since the Office of New Student Programs was established under Mr. Dunn’s leadership, improvement that can be attributed both to him and his staff and to the many individuals and offices who have enthusiastically collaborated with New Student Programs’ initiatives; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, in recognition of the quality of RU’s initiatives to serve new students, the Policy Center on the First Year of College at Brevard College recognized Radford University as one of only 11 national semi-finalists among institutions of its size in their project to identify “Institutions of Excellence in the First College Year”; and
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2003, Mr. Dunn was recognized by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina as one of ten national “Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates,” the most prestigious award bestowed upon individuals in his profession; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Visitors of Radford University commends Mr. Dunn upon his receiving this significant honor which brings credit to him and to the University, and expresses its sincere gratitude for his exceptional leadership of RU’s efforts to invest in the lifetimes of first-year students; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this resolution be made a part of the official record of Radford University, and that a copy thereof be presented to Mr. Michael A. Dunn.
42 RU Alum :( // Sep 16, 2009 at 7:22 am
I saw someone else had asked but I want to ask again in all seriousness: Where do we get the “Bad Penny” T-shirts? If nothing else, there are many of us who want to show our disgust with the current RU admin. and support for employees who deserve to be treated with respect!
43 Liz // Sep 16, 2009 at 8:13 am
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!! I am truly sadden that RU has made this horrible decision. If it was not for NSP i would probably never have gone to RU. THANK YOU MIKE for creating FIRST! and i was a NSP employee also because of the benefits i received i wanted to pass them along.. RU IS NOT TECH and never will be so stop acting like it…. if anyone has information on where to send actual letters please inform me
44 Chris // Sep 16, 2009 at 9:24 am
While this is my first year with NSP I will truly miss these guys and what was done to them was just overall wrong! Radford has always been known for its outstanding new student awareness programs so why would president Kyle tear this program apart? POOR MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND A LACK OF COMMON SENSE!
45 Enough-Is-Enough! // Sep 16, 2009 at 9:58 am
As recently as two days ago, I had hopes, slim hope, but hope nevertheless, that the RU Administration was finally extending an open hand to faculty in spirit of hearing our input about decision-making in these times of budgetary crisis. I heard the President speak about “needing to be compassionate in making decisions about personnel changes”, “restoring trust in faculty”, “transparency in administrative decision making” and on and on and on.
Then came Black Tuesday, yesterday, and I have now lost all hope and trust. If the firing of Mike Dunn and Marc Jacobsen was in fact ‘a cost savings measure’, so be it and that ‘could’ be understandable (although no one is providing actual dollar figures of said savings thus far!), but to call them in and tell them they need to be out by 5 p.m., here is a cardboard box for ya – this is simply wrong. I am sure lawyers were consulted and all concerned made sure they’d have their jobs covered and legal sound-bites memorized, but such a inhumane treatment of someone who has given 24 years of his sweat to RU – the Administration has, once again, demonstrated that they have the tact of a sledgehammer!
Yesterday’s events were a clear and shrill siren-call to all in our RU community and the message was – Be afraid. Be very afraid. Oh, and have a cardboard box at hand – as you never know when you may be called-in.
And if you even think that ‘investing a lifetime’ in serving RU was going to get you at least a few months notice to look for a job elsewhere while re-assigned, or a small ‘Farewell reception’ for the monumental difference the NSP has made with your work – well, ha! think again! Where do you think you are? At a university?
There is a name for all of this – it’s called the ‘Corporate World’. It’s where lawyers protect, heads roll, and the bottom-line is the bottom-line. It’s where politics shoves human decency to a corner as it marches on to fulfilling their own agendas.
What is even more surprising is that this series of mishandled events – just – does – not – stop! It’s been one thing after another and is nothing short of a miracle that leadership be so ‘out-of-touch’ and ‘out-of-it’ – so consistently! Are we allergic to good decision-making? Clearly so.
I am ‘sick-and-tired’ of hearing the Administration keep repeating – “that we at RU are going to emerge even stronger after this fiscal crisis is over and behind us!”. Really now? Wow! Even stronger huh? Wow! Gee, if this were to actually be the case, then let’s all start praying for many more of such crises as clearly they’ll make us ‘even stronger’! Please, somebody, anybody, stop this insult to our collective intellect.
Of all the people? Mike Dunn?
Of all the programs? The NSP?
At a time when botched-up Admissions decisions have resulted in RU losing 400 new students (and the millions of dollars in state-funds tied to each student retained!), let’s fire the two people who have done more than ‘anyone else’ in helping students ‘stay’ and ‘graduate’ and go on to being productive adults in society! Again – a Wow!
This reminds me of yet another day – the day Ann Ferren was given until 5 p.m. to vacate her office – she was our VP-Academic Affairs, much like the position of our Provost today.
Then Dr. Ivelaw Griffith got fired – overnight.
No explanation was provided to faculty/students/staff because RU Administration chose to hide behind the curtain of legal kevlar – that those were ‘personnel matters’ and are not to be disclosed.
Those were ‘not’ times of budget crisis.
Which brings us to today.
These, ‘are’ times of budget crises.
How convenient!
Now heads can roll and explanations only have to be two words long – Budgetary Decision!
I have never seen a more disastrous model of running a university nor have I seen a greater outrage from ‘every’ part of the RU Community – alumni, students, faculty and staff.
Ever.
I, personally, am ‘completely’ demoralized, and ashamed and aghast.
But hey, guess what – would you like some Coffee and Cookies?
I don’t know – let me go ask Mike Dunn and Marc Jacobsen if they’d like some.
46 jim // Sep 16, 2009 at 11:16 am
The current administration cannot stand. This will lead to several hundred fewer successful applicants for next year, as the care and concern that Mike and Marc gave to all incoming students gets subsumed into the corporate culture that is now RU. Perhaps students calling for information will be handled by outsourcing these responsibilities to a third-world country, in the name of efficiency.
RU will continue to decline, in quality and also as it continues to gain a reputation that it no longer cares for students, faculty, and staff. Penny must go, she is tarnished and we all know a Penny isn’t worth much anymore. Most of us won’t even stoop over to pick one up. I hope to cheer the demise of good old one-cent.
47 Alona // Sep 16, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Mike, I have the fondest memories of having you come to my workshops. Your questions and comments made me feel as if I was doing something that mattered. For that, thank you! I know very few people who are as dedicated d committed to student learning and success as you are.
48 RU 09 Alum // Sep 16, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Would any alumni/faculty/staff in the NRV be interested in forming a private committee to discuss this situation and determine the best steps for alumni and employees to take? I am interested in coordinating with others– perhaps weekend meetings?
49 Tim C. // Sep 17, 2009 at 12:54 am
I have a family to support and therefore must remain silent due to fear of reprisal. I am looking at other positions, however remain hopeful that sanity will finally come to RU. In the meantime, I would really appreciate if someone would start an on-line petition. It can be set up to hide names to protect individuals and will only show the overall number of people that sign it electronically. While it would be nice to think in the USA that we could voice our opinions without fear of losing our jobs, it just can’t be done. If someone can set up this free petition, I will sign it and I will report it. Imagine the numbers that would sign the document! The link is at http://www.petitiononline.com/create_petition.html
Thanks everyone and keep up the work!
50 Jimbob // Sep 18, 2009 at 12:40 am
It’s probably important to note that it’s not the University who made this decision or who keep screwing things up, it’s the PEOPLE in the positions to make these decisions. Do not lose faith in RU or the standards/integrity that has left it standing for so long. THESE are the things that will be standing long after President Kyle and her worthless puppy dogs leave our beloved campus. Just hang in there…..
51 Kit McCarthy Williams // Sep 19, 2009 at 7:51 am
I have not been an active alum since I graduated in 1987 but the current situation is the last straw for me. Mike was a fantastic asset to the university and a wonderful man. I worked with him through the SGA when he first arrived at RU. I will actively work to seek the removal of Kyle before she does any more damage to the University.
52 RU GRAD 2000 // Sep 19, 2009 at 8:25 am
A true story about former RU President Douglas Covington:
I was a freshman basketball player (hardly the team star) waiting on the shuttle bus as the sun was going down late one evening to take me from Dedmon to Campus after a long practice. I was sitting outside on the metal bench when he rolled by in his white Lincoln Town Car, rolled down his window, called me by name, and said, “get in, I’ll give you a ride.” Curbside service right to Tyler Hall that day for me. That is the kind of thing that you don’t expect out a University President, and it is also the kind of thing that you don’t forget many years later as an Alumni. And that is the President that he was to RU in my experience. Do we still have “that” at RU? I don’t know, but I hope so.
53 A Sad Alum // Sep 19, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I was deeply disturbed by the actions taken to “remove” these competent, caring and talented student affairs professionals. The university admin has shown themselves to be classless and clearly have no understanding about what it takes to help students be successful. (Otherwise, they wouldn’t get rid of a nationally recognized professional in an utterly humiliating way and keep the very programs that he created!) I will not give one more thin dime to this awful place. Not one more recommendation to a possible student…nothing that would say I am a proud alum…Because I am no longer proud.
54 Forever Highlander // Sep 22, 2009 at 9:36 pm
While I have not been an active alumni, I have very fond memories of my years at RU. After reading these stories, my heart is broken over the state of affairs at my alma mater. I understand that tough times require tough decisions; but, to treat dedicated employees with such disregard for decency is completely unacceptable and unprofessional! I am shocked by the callousness with which Mr. Dunn and Mr. Jacobson were treated – I expect more from my school! I only hope that RU can recover from this mess.
55 RU President Invites Two Terminated Employees to Return // Sep 24, 2009 at 8:27 pm
[...] Dunn and Marc Jacobsen, who were terminated on Sept. 14 from their jobs in New Student Programs, were invited by President Penny Kyle to return to their [...]
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