Monday, September 14, 2009
Layoffs begin at Radford University
Layoffs have begun at Radford University and some students are unhappy about it.
At least two administrative faculty were let go today, including Mike Dunn, director of New Student Programs and Services office. Marc Jacobsen, a associate director in that department, was also let go.
The office, which runs student orientation and retention programs, has been dissolved and some of its staff reassigned. Some of the new student programs will be transferred to the Learning Resource Center, a program for students in danger of failing out of the university.
Neither Dunn nor Jacobsen could immediately be reached for comment.
University spokesman Jeff Douglas said reorganizing the Office of New Student Programs in Student Affairs is part of RU's efforts to "cope with about $16 million in budget cuts in two years." He said the activities conducted by the office -- new student orientation, transfer student orientation, SORTS, and University 100 -- would continue to be offered.
"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," Douglas said in an emailed statement. "Administrative support and other personnel associated with the programs will continue to do their jobs and be supervised by other administrators within Student Affairs."
Douglas said he couldn't comment on other strategies that may be "under consideration in other areas of the university at this time." He said senior administrators are working to deliver the highest-quality programs with the resources they have.
"I can also say that as we develop strategies for dealing with these budget reductions we are going to do all we can to preserve the quality of our instructional programming while still doing everything we can to look out for the best interests of our employees," he said.
Dunn's wife, Peggy, expressed sadness at the layoffs.
"Our son graduated from Radford and had wonderful experiences there," she said. "We're RU folks."
Mike Dunn was told at about 10 a.m. this morning to leave campus by 5 p.m. His computer account was frozen and his keys taken.
Radford senior Rachel Ristow worked for Dunn and with Jacobsen in the office on a work study grant and said she is planning a sit-in at the former offices of new student programs in Walker Hall.
Ristow said she understands the university is under pressure to deal with $6.4 million cut to its state funding announced last week by Gov. Tim Kaine. Kaine cut funding for all state-supported universities by up to 15 perecent to help offset an expected $1.35 billion shortfall.
But, Ristow said she was displeased with the treatment of the administrators, who were given no notice that their jobs would be terminated. Ristow also questioned raises and bonuses for top administrators including Kyle and said students deserve a better explanation of these particular cuts.
"We are the customers here," she said.
Dunn is a nationally recognized student affairs administrator with 24 years of service at Radford. He was asked to take over some duties in the admissions office last year when the university lost its top three administrators in that department.
Radford President Penelope Kyle said at the annual faculty convocation last month that turnover in admissions contributed to a drop in this year's enrollment.
Overall, the student population dropped by about 250 students, officials said. An increase in graduate student enrollment partially offset a steep drop in Freshman enrollment.
On Thursday, 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 the state cuts.
It's unclear if Dunn or Jacobsen will qualify for those programs.
At least two administrative faculty were let go today, including Mike Dunn, director of New Student Programs and Services office. Marc Jacobsen, a associate director in that department, was also let go.
The office, which runs student orientation and retention programs, has been dissolved and some of its staff reassigned. Some of the new student programs will be transferred to the Learning Resource Center, a program for students in danger of failing out of the university.
Neither Dunn nor Jacobsen could immediately be reached for comment.
University spokesman Jeff Douglas said reorganizing the Office of New Student Programs in Student Affairs is part of RU's efforts to "cope with about $16 million in budget cuts in two years." He said the activities conducted by the office -- new student orientation, transfer student orientation, SORTS, and University 100 -- would continue to be offered.
"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," Douglas said in an emailed statement. "Administrative support and other personnel associated with the programs will continue to do their jobs and be supervised by other administrators within Student Affairs."
Douglas said he couldn't comment on other strategies that may be "under consideration in other areas of the university at this time." He said senior administrators are working to deliver the highest-quality programs with the resources they have.
"I can also say that as we develop strategies for dealing with these budget reductions we are going to do all we can to preserve the quality of our instructional programming while still doing everything we can to look out for the best interests of our employees," he said.
Dunn's wife, Peggy, expressed sadness at the layoffs.
"Our son graduated from Radford and had wonderful experiences there," she said. "We're RU folks."
Mike Dunn was told at about 10 a.m. this morning to leave campus by 5 p.m. His computer account was frozen and his keys taken.
Radford senior Rachel Ristow worked for Dunn and with Jacobsen in the office on a work study grant and said she is planning a sit-in at the former offices of new student programs in Walker Hall.
Ristow said she understands the university is under pressure to deal with $6.4 million cut to its state funding announced last week by Gov. Tim Kaine. Kaine cut funding for all state-supported universities by up to 15 perecent to help offset an expected $1.35 billion shortfall.
But, Ristow said she was displeased with the treatment of the administrators, who were given no notice that their jobs would be terminated. Ristow also questioned raises and bonuses for top administrators including Kyle and said students deserve a better explanation of these particular cuts.
"We are the customers here," she said.
Dunn is a nationally recognized student affairs administrator with 24 years of service at Radford. He was asked to take over some duties in the admissions office last year when the university lost its top three administrators in that department.
Radford President Penelope Kyle said at the annual faculty convocation last month that turnover in admissions contributed to a drop in this year's enrollment.
Overall, the student population dropped by about 250 students, officials said. An increase in graduate student enrollment partially offset a steep drop in Freshman enrollment.
On Thursday, 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 the state cuts.
It's unclear if Dunn or Jacobsen will qualify for those programs.
