Radford University’s Board of Visitors (BOV) met Wednesday and Thursday and amid myriad reports and business items it approved a budget for the 2010 fiscal year.

Thursday’s meeting, however, began on a somber note as the BOV paused in a moment of silence in remembrance of Paula Stanley, a Radford University professor in counselor education and faculty member since 1991, who died early Wednesday morning.

With state budget cuts well chronicled, the BOV was faced with the challenge of approving a budget that had seen two separate 15 percent budget reductions. The first was a General Fund budget reduction mandated during the 2009 General Assembly session. The second General Fund reduction was directed by Gov. Tim Kaine on Sept. 8.

The BOV approved a $156.6 million operating budget on Thursday, which includes the use of stimulus money to help fill the gap in funding lost in the two mandated budget reductions. Overall, the $156.6 million represents a decrease of $6.5 million from the fiscal year 2009 approved budget.

A little more than a quarter of the total operating budget is supported through state funding while the remainder is funded via student tuition and fees, federal funds, sales and services, and one-time funds. One-time funds come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and fiscal year 2008-09 carry-forward money. It should be noted that while some ARRA funds have been received, RU is projected to receive an additional $2.98 million in fiscal year 2010. That supplemental allocation is currently pending federal approval.

Some discussion occurred about increasing revenue with increased enrollment. Radford University is the only public university in the state that has a decrease in enrollment this year. President Penelope Kyle Thursday said that this was a “blip” and she expected enrollment to increase next year and in subsequent years.

Brief discussion occurred in Wednesday’s Business Affairs Committee about the possibilities of raising tuition if budget cuts continued affecting available operating funds.

In his report as faculty representative on the BOV, Criminal Justice Professor Steve Owen expressed that it had been a challenging year for the faculty due to budget cuts, which limit supplies, travel, and translated into a lack of raises for faculty. He also mentioned the recent vote of no confidence rendered by the Faculty Senate toward Provost Wil Stanton. As Faculty Senate President, Owen noted that it had been a particularly trying year for senators.

In the Academic Affairs Committee report, updates were given on the search for a University Registrar, which is an internal search, and the search for a Dean/Director of Admissions , which is currently being headed by a placement firm. Both searches are ongoing.

Thursday’s session ended with resolutions passed by the BOV in recognition of the planning for the centennial of RU and regarding the retirement of Vice President of Student Affairs Norleen Pomerantz.

Tim W. Jackson is Editor of the New River Voice. Additional reporting was provided by intern Josh Nash.