Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

Economics professor Nozar Hashemzadeh, who has taught at Radford since 1983, listens during Thursday's emergency faculty senate meeting.

Radford English professor Moira Baker is supported by friend John Nemeth after urging the faculty senate to vote yes on a resolution condemning the layoffs of two faculty members.

Vice President of Student Affairs Norleen K. Pomerantz pauses during questions at the emergency Faculty Senate at Radford University.

Radford University President Penelope Kyle told the university's faculty senate Thursday that Monday's layoffs of two popular administrators "should not have happened."

RADFORD -- Radford University President Penelope Kyle told the university's faculty senate Thursday that Monday's layoffs of two popular administrators "should not have happened."

The terminations of Michael Dunn and Marc Jacobsen came four days after Kyle and Provost Wil Stanton told the senate that layoffs would remain on hold until meetings with state budget officials were complete.

Official e-mails to the university community further promised that all staff reductions would be done with respect and compassion.

"This is a sad day," Kyle told the senate Thursday. "And what happened Monday was not what was represented to you" in meetings.

"It's not at all what we're about. It's not what we intend to do going forward," she added.

Dunn, director of the New Student Programs and Services office, and Jacobsen, an associate director, were told Monday to clear out by the end of the day. The school took their keys, closed their computer accounts and gave them a few hours to clean out their desks.

About 50 people gathered in Walker Hall to protest the decision Monday, including dozens of students who had worked with the men. More than a dozen members of the faculty senate then called for a special meeting Thursday to vote on a resolution condemning the terminations.

Vice President for Student Affairs Norleen Pomerantz took responsibility for the abrupt terminations and told the senate that the incident was a well-intentioned mistake.

"I admit, I moved too fast," she said.

Pomerantz said she cut the administrators to preserve the services provided to first-year students by that program. The vice president said she and Human Resources Director Joey Sword devised the strategy for the terminations, believing that "however bad the known is, it's better than the unknown."

"That was my judgment call. Probably it was a bad one" as evidenced by the faculty response, she said. But given limited options and steep cuts, the terminations were "ultimately still the right thing to do."

Faculty members expressed much anger and frustration at the meeting.

"It's just wrong," Edward Udd said. "It sends a chill through the university."

"Has this administration no decency?" senator and English professor Kim Gainer declared.

Kyle told the group she had no knowledge of the layoffs beforehand. She said Pomerantz acted without her knowledge while Kyle was in budget meetings in Richmond. Kyle said she didn't hear about the layoffs until senate President Steve Owen called her at 5 p.m. Monday.

"That's not what we want to hear from leaders," James McDonel told Kyle. "That's a horrible answer."

McDonel is a retired Penn State professor who said he represents Radford's adjunct faculty.

After Kyle and her staff left the room for the vote, McDonel raised the lone objection to the motion, saying it would do little to improve relations and might exacerbate existing problems.

"I'm not sure that lobbing missiles is the wise thing to do," he said in an interview later.

On a 39-2 secret ballot vote, the senate approved an amended motion condemning the terminations and recommending that the board of visitors, Kyle and other top staff "take whatever actions they deem necessary to address the situation."

Owen said he would deliver the resolution to the board Thursday evening.

The faculty senate serves as the official voice of the faculty and makes recommendations to the board and the administration. Despite the vote, Monday's actions still stand. Dunn and Jacobsen are both on administrative leave and will receive six months of pay and benefits, Pomerantz said.

Owen characterized the flap as a setback for faculty senators and top administrators who had worked through the summer to repair a relationship devastated last year by an accelerated program review that led to cuts and restucturings.

It also led to an investigation of Kyle and her administration by a specially appointed faculty senate task force. A report is due by Oct. 1.