RU Board of Visitors passes budget, discusses faculty morale

RADFORD – The Radford University Board of Visitors approved the school’s operating budget Friday and heard concerns about the latest faculty morale survey.

On a 13-0 vote, the board approved the $202 million operating budget, as well as a six-year plan required by the General Assembly.

Members Anthony Bedell and Stephan Cassaday were absent.

Also on a 13-0 vote, the board approved $8.5 million for two new recreation field projects planned near the student fitness center now under construction.

Faculty morale became a major topic of discussion Friday as Faculty Senate President Laura Jacobsen gave her quarterly report.

In the spring, the senate conducted its 2013 Faculty Morale Survey. According to the survey results posted on the Faculty Senate website, 317 faculty members participated in the survey.

Overall, 44 percent of those surveyed agreed they were satisfied with their job.

However, the results showed widespread dissatisfaction with pay, bureaucracy and aspects of President Penelope Kyle’s leadership.

More than half of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement: “RU’s bureaucratic procedures are reasonable.”

Nearly two-thirds of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement: “I am satisfied with my pay.”

More than half disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement: “The President values faculty opinion.”

Results were mixed on a question about how hard Kyle works for the good of the university. To the statement “The President does all she can to meet the needs of our university,” 23 percent strongly disagreed, 24 percent disagreed and 26 percent neither agreed nor disagreed. Three percent strongly agreed with the statement.

Jacobsen told the board there were still trust issues between administrators and faculty. She called for more relationship building between the groups.

Member Mary Waugh Campbell suggested that the board meet with the faculty for an annual dinner to work on areas of concern.

Kyle attended the meeting Friday but made no specific comments about the survey results.

Also during the meeting, Campbell was elected vice rector. Sitting Rector Linda Whitley-Taylor was re-elected.

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