Radford University Board of Visitors holds quarterly meeting, elects next year’s officers and sets 2015-16 tuition and fees

The Radford University Board of Visitors (BOV) held its quarterly meeting May 7-8 at Radford University and received reports on the university’s progress and accomplishments in academics, business affairs, capital projects, student affairs, governance, information technology, athletics, fundraising and marketing.

The BOV voted an increase of $449 in tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students for the 2015-16 academic year and a $47 increase in tuition and mandatory fees for out-of-state undergraduate students. In-state undergraduate tuition, mandatory fees, and room (standard double) and board (19 meal plan) charges would increase a total of $655, or 3.70 percent, and $263, or 0.86 percent, for out-of-state undergraduate students. Full-time graduate student tuition and mandatory fees will increase $500 for residents, or 4.92 percent, and $47, or 0.24 percent, for non-residents.

The BOV also elected its officers for the 2015-16 fiscal year. Anthony R. Bedell, of Springfield, Va., was elected rector, and Christopher Wade, of Fairfax, Va., was elected vice rector. They will assume their positions on the Board on July 1st.

Also approved were:

  • A resolution to insure university compliance with Section 702 of the Veteran Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.
     
  • A proposal to include military veterans, as defined by Virginia Code 23-7.4, among the military-related students eligible to be assigned priority registration status.
     
  • Tenure for eight faculty members who have met the university's criteria.
     
  • A name change for the College of Graduate and Professional Studies to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

The Business Affairs and Audit Committee was updated on legislation affecting higher education that resulted from the recent session of the General Assembly and a status of the ongoing capital projects across campus. The committee also was briefed on the procedure and timelines required to synchronize the university’s existing six-year plan, which provides the University with an opportunity to present its ideas to state leaders, with the format required by the state.

The BOV's Academic Affairs committee learned that President Kyle has awarded faculty emeriti status to Robert Hiltonsmith in the Department of Psychology and Ron Kolenbrander in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership. The committee heard a report from Provost Sam Minner regarding RU Futures, an initiative created by the Office of the Provost to examine and make proposals on the manner in which Radford University can more effectively deliver higher education in the future. The committee also heard reports regarding enrollment projections, admissions strategies, and minority freshmen student retention success.

The Student Affairs Committee and BOV were briefed by Colby Bender, Student Government Association president and student representative to the BOV, on the SGA's 100th anniversary celebration events held in March, including a celebratory dinner at the Selu Conservancy. Bender discussed SGA legislation that was passed this year, including the Academic Equity Act and Accelerated Registration Act. The committee also heard information on two honors programs - the Scholar-Citizen Initiative (SCI) and the SALUTE Honor Society - and a presentation by Director of Student Involvement Robert Bedford on the "7 Cs of Social Change" leadership model. The board was updated on the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, which opened in December 2014 and sees an average of 8,200 patrons per week. The committee also learned of improved lighting at several off-campus locations, which was identified during SGA-organized campus community safety walks during the academic year.

The Governance, Administration and Athletics Committee viewed a new promotional video about how students utilize technology on campus for academic, recreation, student life and personal business, including the D2L online learning portal, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and convenient app-based features. Director of Operations for Enrollment Management Allison Pratt also gave a demonstration of the new customer relationship management system being introduced by Admissions.

The committee also received an update of Radford Athletics. Women's Volleyball Coach Marci Jenkins discussed the continued success of the program. Jenkins, a three-time Big South Coach of the Year, was joined by graduating player Emma Deininger, an Academic All-American for her junior and senior years. Deininger has achieved a 3.9 GPA as a student and will immediately begin employment in finance. Head Baseball Coach Joe Raccuia '95 stressed the importance of academics to his team. Additionally, under Raccuia's leadership, the Radford University baseball team is now nationally ranked for the first time ever. The committee was introduced to Andrew Hartley, associate athletics director for Advancement, who will lead new fundraising initiatives on behalf of Athletics. The committee also read a resolution to honor graduating student-athletes with exemplary academic performance.

The BOV has a retreat scheduled for July 9-10, 2015 in Abingdon, Va. The next regularly scheduled quarterly BOV meeting is September 17-18, 2015 at Radford University.

May 11, 2015