Radford University Board of Visitors holds quarterly meeting, elects officers and sets 2017-18 tuition and fees schedule

At its quarterly meeting May 4-5, the Radford University Board of Visitors (BOV) reviewed university progress and accomplishments in academics, business affairs, capital projects, student affairs, enrollment management, governance, information technology, athletics, fundraising and marketing.

The BOV approved annual tuition, mandatory fee and room and board increases totaling $667 (3.48%) and $668 (2.14%) respectively for in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students. Graduate student tuition and mandatory fees will increase $598 annually for in-state and $599 annually for out-of-state students. This decision is the result of a thorough evaluation of all University costs and implementation of $3 million in operating savings planned for academic year 2017-18.

Other BOV action included:

Approval of a resolution to move forward on a request for approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for  what would become Radford's fourth doctoral program, the Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership in the College of Education and Human Development. The proposed Ed.D. will be designed to prepare new generations of executive-level leaders in education with the scholarship and leadership skills to identify and solve challenging interrelated problems associated with educational organizations and their surrounding local communities. The program would prepare educational leaders through coursework, field experiences and applied research activities.

Election of officers for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Mark Lawrence, of Roanoke, was elected rector and Randy Marcus, of Richmond, was elected vice rector. They will take their positions on the Board on July 1. Jessica Wollman, a senior anthropology major from Blacksburg, was named the non-voting advisory student BOV representative and Jake Fox, associate professor of anthropological sciences, was named as the non-voting advisory faculty representative.

Approved and presented a resolution of appreciation to alumna Nancy E. Artis ’73 and H. Pat Artis, Ph.D., who established the Artis Endowed Scholarship Fund with a recently announced $5 million gift to Radford University. In appreciation, the University named the Artis College of Science and Technology in their honor. The College’s new name was announced and unveiled during an April 28th ceremony on the lawn of Reed and Curie Halls. Once fully implemented, the Artis Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide a $3,000 award to 67 Artis Scholars each year in perpetuity. Scholarship recipients will be high-achieving incoming freshmen and transfer students studying in the Artis College of Science and Technology. To date, the Artis’ gift is the largest individual donation by an alumnus to Radford University.

Approved a resolution awarding tenure to 18 faculty members:

Auguste Jean-Paul Barfield, health and human performance
Kevin Bowers, communication
Erin Cruise, nursing
Timothy Fuhrer, chemistry
Brent Harper, physical therapy
Kristen Jagger, physical therapy
Twange Kasoma, communication
Danylle Kunkel, management
R. Stockton Maxwell, geospatial science
Christopher Monceaux, chemistry
Laura Newsome, health and human performance
Sandra Schneider, teacher education and leadership
Alex Siyufy, physical therapy
Sarah Smidl, occupational therapy
Kerry Fay Vandergrift, social work
Patricia Winter, music
Allison Kay Wisecup, sociology
Daniel Richard Woods, English

President Brian O. Hemphill reported to the board on his yearlong engagement with the campus community that included faculty meetings with and visits to 37 of 38 departments to date; a series of open forums with students, faculty, staff and alumni; the budget efficiency forum and commencement of the university’s strategic planning initiative.

The president expressed his gratitude for the long and diverse service of retiring Professor of Music Joseph P. Scartelli. Scartelli has most recently served as interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, capping a career at Radford that began in 1981, which included long-time service as the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Scartelli was also presented a resolution of appreciation by the BOV and granted Provost Emeritus status.

President Hemphill also acknowledged the service of departing Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Irvin Clark and Professor of Religion and Philosophy Carter Turner whose term as faculty representative to the BOV ends this fiscal year. President Hemphill also updated the board on the searches for two Leadership Council positions: the Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice President for University Advancement.

Student BOV representative Kevon DuPree reviewed two student-led initiatives – formation of Omicron Delta Kappa, a 50-member honorary campus leadership society, and Unity Fest.

Turner reviewed two recent studies that assess faculty perceptions and the board discussed ways to address issues and concerns raised. Turner was also recognized with a resolution of appreciation from the BOV for his service as the advisory faculty representative to the BOV.

President Hemphill and the Board with Joseph Scartelli, interim provost

President Hemphill expressed his gratitude for the long and diverse service of retiring Professor of Music Joseph P. Scartelli (center). Scartelli has most recently served as interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, capping a career at Radford that began in 1981.

During its meeting, the University Advancement, University Relations and Enrollment Management Committee (UAUREMC) reviewed the university’s branding and marketing campaign, FY16-17 fund raising results and a series of alumni events. Advancement reported a 39 percent increase in donations over last year, with donations for FY2016-17 reaching more than $10 million to date.

The UAUREMC reviewed enrollment management trends, including a more than 95 percent year-over-year increase in new freshmen applications, as well as yearly increases in new freshmen deposits and high school GPAs of the applicants.

The Student Affairs Committee (SAC) reviewed spring retention efforts. Student success and retention leaders reported the 2016-17 fall-to-spring retention rate of 88.5 percent, a 2 percent increase from 2015-16. The board reviewed several of the university’s efforts toward maximizing retention, such as the identification and removal of holds that block students from registering for classes.

Additionally, Housing and Residential Life briefed the SAC on residence hall occupancy policies.

The Substance Abuse and Violence Education Support (SAVES) office briefed the SAC on its student safety actions, including the establishment of two new campus support groups, the Take Back the Night violence awareness march, a prescription drug take-back event and introduction of the LiveWell social norming campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.

As part of the SAC meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) detailed some of its recent events and accomplishments:

The bi-annual Safety Walk on April 19 to assess safety needs, such as enhanced lighting and signage

A presentation by motivational speaker Tim Mousseau during Sexual Assault Awareness week

Establishment of a Student Government Association micro grant loan program to assist needy current students

In addition to 2017-18 tuition and fees recommendations, the Business Affairs and Audit Committee (BAAC) was provided a regular update by the university auditor and an update on the progress of current campus capital projects, including:

The ongoing renovation of Whitt Hall. Completion is scheduled as June 2017, with move-in to occur prior to the start of the fall 2017 semester.

The renovation of Reed and Curie Halls, set to begin this summer and be completed in December 2019.

The Governance, Administration and Athletics Committee (GAAC) received an update the Radford intercollegiate athletic program, including the announcement of Bryheem Hancock as the new head coach of the men's soccer program. Other topics covered were student-athlete academic success, career preparation and resource development.

The GAAC heard a report on the inaugural Highlander Pride Weekend that raised over $100,000 for student-athlete scholarships. The weekend included dedication of the Dedmon Center men’s basketball offices in the name of former coach Joe Davis, the Callie Dalton & Associates Highlander Open golf tournament presented by Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, the Red/White Gala and the Highlander 8K/Half-Marathon.  For academic and athletic excellence, Zachary Turk ‘17 of men’s soccer and Hannah Duff ’17 of women’s soccer have been nominated for the Big South Conference’s prestigious George A. Christenberry Award.

The BOV has scheduled a retreat for July 9–11 in Leesburg and the next regular meeting for Sept. 14–15 at Radford University.

May 17, 2017
Mary Hardbarger
(540) 831-5150
mhardbarger@radford.edu