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Backlash from firings at Radford University

Members of the Radford University faculty are mad and the school's president got an earful Thursday.

Earlier this week, Radford University laid off two staff members, and immediately there was concern.

The termination of Mike Dunn and Marc Jacobsen, both employees in the office of New Student Programs, came just one week after Governor Tim Kaine announced that state colleges would soon be facing large budget cuts.

An RU spokesman has said the layoffs were part of efforts to cope with $16 million dollars being cut over two years and that RU couldn't absorb high magnitude cuts without taking action.

Meanwhile, many in the RU community aren't happy with the decision.

Thursday afternoon, Radford University's Faculty Senate called an emergency meeting with RU's President, Penelope Kyle, and other administrators.

At the meeting, Kyle told faculty senate members that Dunn and Jacobsen's layoffs were a mistake.

"What happened Monday, should have never happened," said Kyle.

Kyle says she had no idea employees were getting fired.  Faculty senate members questioned Kyle on why she was unaware of what was taking place.

"I did not know what one Vice President did on Monday," Kyle explained.

Norleen Pomerantz, Vice President of Student Affairs, admits she's the one who decided on the two layoffs.

"That was my judgement call. It apparently was a very bad judgement call from your response to it," said Pomerantz.

The meeting quickly turned to the question of who's in command.

"You're absolutely right. The buck stops in my office and it happened on my watch," said Kyle.

The Faculty Sentate is condemning the administration's actions.

14 faculty members attached their names to a motion and resolution passed around at the meeting.

"They either don't know how to run a complex organization, or we're not getting the whole story," said faculty member James McDonel.

"The fashion in which they were terminated seemed so abrupt and insensitive," said faculty member Kim Gainer.

Many say they understand the problems created by the economic climate, but believe a trust between faculty and administrators was broken.

Radford University spokesman Jeff Douglas says the school is taking the controversy seriously.

"I would encourage them to have faith in our administration," said Douglas.  "We are doing our best to handle difficult, difficult problems."

RU students are also voicing their concern.

"They have to remedy this situation properly," said student Matt Prater.

Kyle says she hopes to rectify the situation and gain back trust.