The New River Voice has addressed the ongoing troubles at Radford University several times in the past year. On occasion we’ve been criticized for whining and not offering solutions. So today we offer Step One of a solution.
We’ve soundly criticized the RU Board of Visitors in the past. Most recently we even offered up mailing addresses for BOV members because we’ve had so many readers to ask how to contact them. Back in April, we asked the BOV to wake up and see what was happening at RU under its watch. We shared with you a letter to the BOV from RU faculty. We shared with you a letter to the BOV written by RU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. After all that, we said that the BOV still doesn’t get it. And we wished a fond farewell to now-former BOV member R.J. Kirk as he left RU’s board for apparently the greener pastures at the University of Virginia.
So here’s my solution. If the BOV members are at all caring and responsible, and want to maintain a shred of integrity and respect, they should see if the price really is right for RU President Penny Kyle’s salary and bonus and they should “Come on down!”
They should all make their way to Radford University as soon as possible—unannounced to the administration—and start having conversations with the faculty, staff, and students at RU. Just pick a few at random, and ask them what they think of the current administration. After all, it is the BOV that has heaped raises and bonuses on Kyle during her tenure at RU, much like the boards that heap raises and bonuses on CEO’s that then run the company into the ground. It’s past time for the BOV to take responsibility and finally investigate the real condition of RU.
And while we’re at it, let’s invite Gov. Tim Kaine to come on down and ask a few questions, not of administrators, but of the folks getting it done in the trenches. After all, it’s Kaine who appoints the BOV members, including the most recent round of appointments that included R.J. Kirk Mini-Me Matthew Crisp, a managing director of Kirk’s company, Third Security.
While we’re passing out invitations, Secretary of Education Tom Morris, come on down. Surely he could be up for a visit, considering his wife, Barbara-Lyn, is a chair of the RU 2010 “Centennial Celebration” Committee. He could enter into a few conversations with some of the members of S.A.L.A. (Students Advocating the Liberal Arts) while his wife is planning a big ol’ birthday party for RU. Morris has taken a decidedly hands-off approach to the situation thus far.
And Dan LaVista, come on down! LaVista is Executive Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Isn’t this nightmare happening on his watch, too? Shouldn’t he want a clear, unfiltered look at what’s going on at RU?
If these folks would actually visit campus—talking sincerely and listening earnestly—they would realize that the picture they receive from the administration is a little different than the one viewed by most faculty, staff, and students.
They would hear disheartened pleas from employees, like the one I heard yesterday from someone who asked not to be named, of course for fear of retribution.
“I’ve been through tough economic times and have witnessed slashed budgets and layoffs before, but in my quarter century of working, I have never worked anywhere at which morale was as universally bad as it is at RU right now,” this employee said. “The saddest part is there is no hope for it to get any better. That’s what is heartbreaking about it—people don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. There’s a feeling that we are spiraling down a drain, not building toward any sort of future. It’s not the economy; it’s not the threat of layoffs; it’s not a few rabble-rousing faculty members. It’s the constant chaos and pervasive uncertainty at every level of the institution that is the problem.”
I’m guessing that’s not the picture that the BOV is getting, or Gov. Kaine, or Sec. Morris, or even the alumni when they are solicited for contributions. As we saw with Brian Erskine’s recent guest editorial in the Voice, even staunch alumni supporters of Kyle are now seeing a different picture than they one they’d been painted by administrators—if those alumni bother to ask a few questions to those in the fray.
We understand that this is just step one. Getting any of our invitees to take action is another story. We know that former BOV member and chief Kyle apologizer R.J. Kirk has given big campaign contributions to Kaine in the past, so we know billionaire Kirk has Kaine’s ear.
We know that Tom Morris was on the brink of disaster as President of Emory & Henry College when Kaine snatched him up to be Secretary of Education. (Morris’s popularity among faculty, staff, and students at EHC had waned to near-Penny Kyle levels.) And as aforementioned, we know that the Morrises have close ties with Kyle. After all, just like Kyle, Tom Morris is a native of Galax. Indeed, they have a long history.
And we’ve all seen for years how the BOV seems to be wrapped around Kyle’s finger. And while Kirk is gone from the BOV, he won’t be forgotten. New BOV member Crisp will surely be directed by his boss—yes, his literal boss at Third Security, the man who writes his checks, R.J. Kirk—as to how to sway the board in Kyle’s favor.
So the road to travel is certainly uphill and rather bumpy. Even if our invitees would actually have the nerve to show up on campus and ask the questions that need to be asked, would they have the courage to do anything about it, or are there too many old ties and political favors between them and doing what is morally and ethically the right thing to do?
Only time will tell, but at the very least we can invite them to all come on down and see just what is happening at RU.
Tim W. Jackson is Editor of the New River Voice.
19 responses so far ↓
1 Kathryn // Sep 23, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Thank you for this piece. I completely agree that the university is going downhill quickly. As an alum of 2006, I’m finally in a financial position to donate back to my Alma Mater but will not until things change. I periodically get phone calls soliciting donations and I do let them know that there needs to be a change in the administration’s attitude before I give another penny to that school. It’s my hope that other alumni feel the same as I do and once they realize how much they are losing in donations, they will reconsider their position.
2 Dana // Sep 23, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I’m with Kathryn. I gave the last poor, hapless student solicitor working for the Alumni Assn. an earful. It’s important for alums to voice disapproval to the association, which appears to as co-opted as the BOV. Thanks, Tim, for a wonderful list of suggestions. Too bad it falls on the blind eyes and deaf ears of the BOV. . . fascinating that Crisp may well be a boy toy for Kirk on the board.
3 Cynthia // Sep 23, 2009 at 8:40 pm
On October 3 the Appalachian Events Committee is hosting the Appalachian Folk Life Festival coincidentally with the Highland Games. I would be so very pleased to escort the BOV members around campus that day. I will happily introduce them to hardworking students who are involved with the Appalachian Folk Arts community and together we could meet the Highland Games devotees. The community at large enjoys Radford University most on days like this. Since so many of us are in a festive mood the BOV could be assured of being met by students and faculty who, in light of their happy spirits, could be counted on to be courteous as they tell their truths.
4 John // Sep 23, 2009 at 9:06 pm
President to Step Down - It can happen here!
The Governor praised XXXX for his/her decision, saying it was a “courageous act” that would help the university move forward. Let’s do all we can to encourage Penny, Norleen and Wilbur to show some ‘courage’.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/education/24illinois.html
5 RU4Reel // Sep 24, 2009 at 10:30 am
While they are on campus, maybe they should talk to the 100 or so employees who have applied for the Alternative Severance Option (ASO). If these employees are approved for the ASO, what will happen to the programs they supported? Even a micro-manager like PK can’t do everyone’s job.
6 Mark // Sep 25, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Great article/information/research…keep it up!
7 RU Happy // Sep 25, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Tim if you think you can do a better job, send a letter to the Gov’s office and asked to be put on the RU BOV. If not shut up! You’re Monday morning quarterbacking and voice of the people is Crap.
Next if you want Kyle’s job run for it in five years. Let the people know how “you” will move RU into the future.
RU alumni whose voices are not being heard weigh in! Do not sit on the side lines and let a few be the voice of many. Send your support.
BOV listen to some of these issues. Bring unity to this campus and work with this administration to mend the fences that are required. However stay true to your game plan and execute it.
RU please post the positive events, actions, etc taking place on campus.
8 Just another concerned student // Sep 26, 2009 at 8:00 am
There, there, RU Happy. I know, you don’t like it when the grownups are fighting. But really, it’s OK. Sometimes it’s GOOD to point out the negative; only then can there be positive change.
There are lots of positive things happening on campus, and Penny & Co are happy to post and post and post about them. Feel free to check out the RU site for all their positive spin. But this is the part of the story they leave out: the plummeting morale, the grotesque behavior of top administrators during open forum and meetings with faculty, and the corruption of BOV appointments.
If we do not FACE what is happening, if we do not SPEAK OUT, we are complying. We’re saying it’s OK; please stomp on whatever standards and integrity an academic institution should have; all we care about is sports and how pretty Young Hall is. (Pretty tech, pretty inadequate class space.)
If hearing all these people clamor for change doesn’t make you “happy,” then maybe it shouldn’t. Maybe it’s time to take a cue from Agatha Christie: “The happy people are failures because they are on such good terms with themselves they don’t give a damn.”
9 Let em eat cake // Sep 26, 2009 at 10:35 am
There are many positive actions that have taken place under her tyranny. Mostly bricks and mortar; that I would argue would have happened under any mediocre president. Let’s take a look at the human side of our university. For the past three years we (yes I work at RU) have been trying to fly under the radar and not be the next to fall under her guillotine. Let us start with the foundation. I believe we are down to two original employees. The others with years of development experience are now helping our neighbor raise money for their university. What we have now with one exception are development employees with at most “volunteer experience”. What a trade!
Let’s move over to the admissions office, oops…where is it? Oh, they left. David Krause was smart, saw the handwritting on the wall. But PK didn’t replace anyone and now we are 400 plus students short. Community Colleges are up between 10 and 18 percent. All state colleges and universities have increased enrollment except for one…RU. Asleep at the wheel with the life blood of any university: enrollment.
Residential life? She pulled the rope on them over a year ago. Athletic Director? Gone. Her hand picked provost? Gone. VP for business her own collegue? Gone. VP for advancement? Gone. (replaced with the basketball coaches girlfriend, with no experience in development) And now this latest debacle. This whole thing started last May when she moved NSP to the Division of Student Affairs from Academic Affairs. Marc was quite vocal of his discontent. I remember having lunch with a cohort discussing how long it would be before his head would roll. And if you think for one minute that PK didn’t know about this…your head is in the sand. For a president that feels the need to choose the paint color in the locker room and then pleads ignorant of this firing, wrong MO.
It is past time for the Board of Visitor s to step up to the guillotine and hold the rope.
10 Seething // Sep 26, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I, too, work at RU and I am dedicated to the university and the wonderful students whom I have the pleasure of teaching. I admire the colleagues I work with and am absolutely livid with the incompetence that has come from the top administration. It is time for a regime change. Penny Kyle has made us a laughingstock and has to go. Now.
11 Sad Grad // Sep 27, 2009 at 7:52 am
Can someone tell me why Norleen Pomerantz is STILL at RU? What will her punishment be for this debacle? “Seething” is correct…Kyle must be removed, too. Don’t let up students, faculty, and alumni! It’s time to reclaim Radford University!
12 Another Perspective // Sep 27, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Read the INFORMED PROFESSOR’s comments regarding the “RU President Invites Two Terminated Employees to Return” article posted on this site. There are obviously different perspectives regarding the state of affairs at RU the past couple of years. Based on my 25 years experience at this universtiy, I would suspect many, if not most, of the criticisms posted to this site have been made from persons whose jobs, programs, and or university perks such as using university resources at will and with little accountability have been effected. There have been many changes made during the past three years, some of which were led by the President, some of which were not. No matter who made the decision, critics posting here seem to point every one of them to the President. That shows either a lack of understanding of how the university actually works or more likely an intentional mistatement of facts to serve another purpose. It is also perplexing why any current faculty member or anyone else who purports to care about the university would believe it is helpful to the university and its students to engage in the sort of ad hominen public attacks as those listed here. I wonder where these critics were when other jobs were lost during the previous two Presidents, when the administration routinely ignored faculty concerns, and when salaries were the lowest in the state? As stated by “Informed Professor,” this President has made her share of errors, as has her cabinet. So did the previous two administrations. Fortunately, leadership does not require perfection or even support from everyone in an organization. It does require someone who is teachable, sincere, and willing to be accountable to those being served, and these qualities were missing from the previous two administrations. Just ask some of the administrators who were removed from their office with no warning with their careers permanently damaged. Despite a shaky first 18 months in office, over the past year, I do believe President Kyle has shown a remarkable willingness to take responsibility for her decisons and to do whatever is possible to position the university for the future. Are we where we need to be? I don’t think so–but we sure are further along than we were three years ago. And to SAD GRAD, you might be woefully surprised to learn that there are MANY faculty, students, and alumni that believe our current emphasis on attracting quality students, building quality accredited academic programs, and enhancing university resources is the right direction for RU, and will continue to let our voice be heard on and off campus. If in fact you are a RU grad, I’d invite you to return and talk to a variety of current students and faculty before expressing a view about the university’s leadership.
13 Absurdity of it All // Sep 28, 2009 at 10:55 am
Another Perspective,
Your response is well-thought out and presented. I find it hard to believe though that so many people can be wrong about PK. Of all the posts over the years, there have only been less than a handful of supporters. Why is that? Any debate usually has two sides, more times than not, evenly distributed. In this case, however, there is stunning silence with even her most ardent supporter flipping on her. PK has said the buck stops with her. I believe it most certainly does. To say that she is no worse than previous Presidents is a cop-out. Those Presidents had their own issues, but none as ridulous as what we’ve been subjected to.
14 Nothingnewunderthesun // Sep 28, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I have read the papers, I have seen the notices for meetings and forums upon the many faults of the President Penny Kyle. I am old enough to know where there is smoke, there is fire, and man, this problem is on fire. Radford University has become a black eye for universities on the east coast, as she claims that RU is among the top 10..come on. She has failed miserably in her job, but she has built quite a grand nest egg for herself. So, I guess she has done what she has set out to do! The BOVs are the ones that should have the black eye!
15 Another Perspective // Sep 29, 2009 at 7:49 am
Nothingnewunderthesun’s observations are further evidence of the points I made earlier. He/she claims to have “read the papers…seen the notices and forums upon the many faults of the President.” I too have “read the papers, attended two forums (neither of which were “upon the many faults of the President). And now, this person makes a colossal leap by concluding she has now become a “black eye for universities on the east coast.” Based on what evidence? Your conclusions would most certainly be uninformed and driven by some, because I don’t think this person nor anyone would have any inkling about what “universities on the east coast” think about RU or anyone who works here, much less the President. In fact, rankings published the past couple of years would suggest quite a different conclusion regarding the reputation of RU. Again, as has been noted by others, the President has acknowledged her errors, and is demonstrating by her actions a sincerity in changing the culture that has existed at RU for years–something that was woefully missing in previous administrations.
The university now faces its greatest challenge ever in effectively responding to two consecutive years of crippling budget reductions. It’s time to use our collective wisdom and loyalty to the university to help. As Informed Professor stated, it is fast becoming offensive to many on campus when we observe the sort of criticisms that are posted here. I wonder if any of these critics have expressed their views directly to the President, even anonymously. My guess is they have not, which again calls into question their motives.
16 castaway // Sep 29, 2009 at 9:59 am
The president and the board have been directly informed for months about the state of RU and concerns of faculty et al.
They have hoped to ride it out.
If you have any peer contact at all at other institutions ask them about RU if they have not already contacted you with concern. If you are truly “informed” then you have recieved comments from peers at other institutions that should make even the most jaded uncomfortable.
I have to wonder at those that refuse to recognize the scope of problems at RU. How dare they minimize the concerns of others in light of the Norleen’s actions and the supposed lack of communications. It is offensive to “many”" that criticisms have been ignored until it has reached this point. Pray tell which criticisms have not been justified. Please cite chapter and verse.
As far as what PK has brought to RU lets see some $$ numbers compared to other institutions.
17 Informed Professor // Sep 29, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Well CASTAWAY, let’s examine the evidence, not an uninformed feeling. Due to a position I hold in my profession, monthly I receive about 200 e-mails from faculty that work at universities within and beyond Virginia. In the past two years, three faculty unaffiliated with RU have mentioned the university–two with the Provost Griffin’s debacle, and once week before last based on the RT article about Dunn and Jacobsen. All three faculty work at VT. I also know first hand that criticisms have not been ignored because I have shared them candidly and specfically with individual BOV members, with the President, and the Provost. I have also witnessed specific changes as a result. No one has dimished any criticism–quite the opposite. The point is that just continuing to criticize while offering simplistic solutions to a complex problem hardly bodes well for our supposed intellect. Regarding resources brought to RU under this President, you only need to compare it to her immediate predecessor–for whom we can credit “one building not needed as judged by the UPBAC,” for which a name was given without even one dollar in resources? I rest my case regarding who is or is not informed.
18 castaway // Sep 29, 2009 at 9:09 pm
My experiences are quite different from yours in terms of the feedback from others outside and inside of RU.
Criticisms may not have been ignored, but the “changes” have not been sufficient to address the seriousness of the concerns presented over the past several years.
Comparing Kyle to her predecessor is not the same as comparing her to current peers.
We disagree.
I can hope that I am wrong, but the evidence, in spite of your assertions, does not encourage that possibility.
Firing the inept may seem a simplistic solution to some, but that does not make it the wrong solution.
In the words of Pete Seeger “We’re waist deep in the big muddy, and the bg fool says to push on”
19 Voicemail: SCHEV Executive Director Responds to Column // Sep 30, 2009 at 11:42 am
[…] letter is in response to an item published on September 23, 2009, titled, Voiceover: Come on Down! In this article you invited several officials in Virginia’s higher education system to “make […]
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