2009.06.21
Trejbal: Radford's President Kyle isn't worth her new pay package
Radford University's president is overpaid
Let's get the groan-inducing yet appropriate line out of the way now. Radford University President Penelope Kyle has won the lottery.
Last week, the folks who run the school awarded a sweetheart contract to the former Virginia Lottery director with no background in academia. It includes $1 million just to stick around for a few more years.
When rumors regarding her compensation package dogged Kyle in 2007, I wrote a column dispelling misconceptions and defending her performance.
I cannot do that this time.
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95% of what has been accomplished at Radford University in the past 3 to 4 years would have happened anyway under the direction of a halfway competent professional leader.
and probably 80% or more of all the pain and ill will that has happened in that same time frame would not have happened under different professional leadership.
it's just that simple..and you reward smoked mirrors in accomplishments and ineptitude in dealing with people by giving contract extentions and a million dollars..
as the master card commercial state "Priceless"
Comment by Bob — June 21, 2009 @ 9:08 am
Why insert "with no background in academia" to bolster your case? It wasn't a problem in 2007 when you defended her. To me, it's been an asset not coming from the bearded liberal professors club. That makes it easier to rein them in and get rid of troublemakers as she has done. I do think the biggest problem 'academes' have had always had with her is she's an R.
Comment by Jim D. — June 21, 2009 @ 9:29 am
Through donations from contributors, the Radford University Foundation is the primary source of scholarships for students attending RU. Are we to understand that money which could provide a young person with an education will be used to raise an already sufficient salary for the president? So VERY unfortunate. Our young people deserve better.
Comment by Lois C. — June 21, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
In today's economy, we should be reducing the pay gap between executives and the rest of us, not increasing it with golden-parachute bonuses for career public employees of either party. Are the "board of directors" members all part of the overpaid executive element who sit on each others boards and raise each others pay like the New York bankers? Are there any reporters left to make a cross-referenced list of them?
If there's not much discussion here, that's because the link from Christian Trejbal's editorial doesn't work. I had go out to the "roundtable" page and scroll down to find this.
Comment by Bearded but not "a liberal" — June 21, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
I have already heard how much the dean is making. I also know teachers who got laid off. Now these educated men and women are now joining the thousands on unemployement. I also have heard classes are being taken from the coming year as well due to cuts. I have an idea take that big bonus shes making and pay some of the teachers she cut or classes. When our country is in such a mess as it is, this makes no sense to me. A car? A maid? Million dollar bonus? Im sure she is not the only one getting those perks but its not fair when students went to school for years to become teachers themselves and now they cant do it because she is cutting their job. I heard some of them had contacts to. What kind of person does that? Greedy I suppose. We complain about AIG, about the banks and on and on. What about this issue at Radford of the million dollar bonus? Its time this issue was put out there so everyone knows how much this person makes and what about the stimulus money she recieved for Radford. Where did that go? In some fun for a rainy day. Tell her that rainy day has come hire back some staff you let go.
Comment by Trish — June 21, 2009 @ 10:34 pm
Thank you. Finally a great accounting of the mess that is RU leadership. Nicely done, though long overdue. It took an act so over the top that a former defender in Trejbal has finally become objective. It is understandably difficult as an outsider to differentiate those opposed to change squaking to a pattern of incompentence. Insiders at RU have known the absurdity detailed in this article for years.
The analysis regarding what has been “accomplished” is spot on. Context is everything. RU received the same proportion of resources as everyone else in good times. RU leadership I am sure takes credit for the sun rising and shoots the messenger that tells them that it is dusk. The BOT is obviously a “bottom-line” board that is more interested in what happens than how it happens. The problem is that the majority would have happened regardless. The means is the true story that the BOT will never grasp for they have not been subject to the demeaning paralyzing culture on campus. Vindictive, ego-driven and micro-managing are chinks in the administration’s armor that are not seen by those that count. Unfortunately, like a spoiled child, these signs will never be seen because they don’t want to see them. Doing so would mean the ability to admit a mistake. Those in charge would say that those that have left in the form of countless administrators and board members are but rats jumping ship; those that have left would say they are prideful survivors jumping to saftey, if not the sanity and preservation of their principles. In Kyle’s time she has to a great extent remade the varied boards with people of her choosing. In essence, handpicking her “bosses/supervisors”. It is this same group that has been pushing for her $1 million, while she has remained silent on the topic. In doing so, she can say, "I didn’t ask for it." Most of course will assume otherwise. Heck if I could get someone to give me $1 million to remain a teacher I would take it. In today’s market are we really that worried about keeping a university president? Are there not other qualified people out there that would jump at the chance, are qualified and actually a leader that is embraced? If you were to ask the RU president, I am sure she would note that she is a capable leader. However, in order to be a good leader, you must have people that want to follow. In this unfortunate case, the only followers she has are those she reports to.
Comment by Tim C. — June 21, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
Just another UNDERFUNDED state entity..funny the left can get "up in arms" about the cost of healthcare, but the cost of 4 years in college and the predominant ideology coming from such institutions? Grin and bear it!! Scrutiny regarding staffing and salaries and benefits..naaah don't want to step on THOSE toes. Oh we'll run a story on RU or VaTech once in a while, but where's the fun in that when one can discuss Palin's wardrobe, the latest congressional infidelity or the extinction of polar bears. Professor, how much time do you spend in a classroom every week and how many weeks a year is school in session? Dean, what do you do to justify that 6 figure salary and tell us how your retirement plan works?
Meanwhile, junior and his parents borrow tens of thousands to support what goes on at a "Radford" and editorials continue to bang the drum for more funding.
Comment by BUD — June 22, 2009 @ 6:53 am
BBNL: The link was fixed Sunday afternoon. Sorry about any problems you had navigating the Internet to find this page.
Comment by C. Trejbal — June 22, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Bud, we have frequently criticized the General Assembly for failing to fund state colleges and universities to the level they need thus forcing rampant tuition increases. See for example this editorial, this one, this one and this one.
Comment by C. Trejbal — June 22, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Penny Kyle was hired (and many of us were involved in the interview process) to do a job. She is a savvy business woman who was hired to do a specific job by the BOV. So far, not only has she done that job, but she has exceeded expectations. Governors Warner and Kaine appointed the BOV. As long as they are pleased with her performance, that is it.
We spent 10 years with Douglas Covington and came out of that decade in the exact state in which we entered. No one dumped all over him.
My degree is worth more now than it was 3 years ago and part of that added worth in the academic and public sector, is thanks to Kyle.
Look, I don't agree with everything she has ever said and done and I doubt that would be the case with anyone.
Do you have issues? Write to the board.
Comment by Brian Erskine — June 22, 2009 @ 10:43 am
It's always easy to criticize the smaller institutions, ones who actually care about students who attend. Let's ignore the huge purple elephant in the NRV: Virginia Tech
Charles Steger salary is $457,040. (see http://www.collegiatetimes.com/cms/site/salaries).
This is minus all the perks he is given by VT's ominous BOV. Let's not ignore the fact that Steger hides in a dungeon in Burruss, hidden from students like a dictator in the USSR. People know his name and have seen pictures, but have never met the man.
As a former undergraduate student at RU, I had on multiple occassions simply walked into Kyle's office in Martin and spoken with her directly. How many students at other institutions can say the same?
Penny Kyle was hired as a business woman. RU adopted the same model as thousands of universities across the country; the president handles money and business matter & the Provost handles academics. Why criticize her? Her salary is equal (if not lower) then presidents at peer institutions. Perhaps her gender is at issue--would a male president in her position receive the same criticism about his salary?
Perhaps the author should familiarize himself with other higher education institutions before criticizing RU.
Comment by RU Alumn — June 22, 2009 @ 11:26 am
I would like an investigation of the Foundation at RU. Money goes into the Foundation from donations made by alumni, faculty and community supporters and then these same funds can't be accessed by the departments they were designated to help. The Physics department has to submit a grant to another philanthropic agency (The Community Foundation) for Planetarium lights, even though the money is in the RU Foundation earmarked for the department.
I would like an investigation of the general budget to understand why funds, already encumbered for faculty research (something the administration states that it supports), disappear when the budget is swept. Why is the budget swept in February?
Comment by Rhonda — June 22, 2009 @ 11:30 am
Christian... I know the RTEB has asked for additonal funding to headoff tuition increases..and when salaries, benefits,staffing etc are out of hand--WHY WOULD YOU ASK FOR MORE FUNDING? It only encourages the continued practice of what we see at Radford and other places.
Comment by BUD — June 22, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
Bud, much of Kyle's compensation package, including the $1 million bonus, comes from private contributions to the Radford University Foundation, not from the commonwealth. As others have noted, the foundation donations were expected to fund education, classes, scholarships, capital acquisitions and so on.
Comment by C. Trejbal — June 22, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
It seems as though Bud is under the impression that professors have very "cushy" jobs. Bud, since you have asked, let me break it down for you. My salary is in the low 40s, the national average for my field at this point in my career. For that salary, I spend 15 hours per week in the classroom. A typical professor will use, on average, three hours of prep time for each hour in the classroom. I average about two, so I spend about 30 hours per week in prep. and grading. We also have service and committee obligations, for me, about five hours per week. For many of us, keeping our jobs also means publishing and reseach. I spend about 12 hours per week on research and writing with an additional two hours per week, if not more, on journal editorial work. A typical work week for me is at least 64 hours. Do you also wonder about our cushy summers? Let me tell you about my summer schedule. From 10-12 I work on book reviews that I am obligated to do. From 12-3 I am writing my own, and editing three other journal articles and from 3-6 I work on my book.
So, let's diabuse ourselves of the notion that professors have these cushy jobs that require on 12 or so hours of actual "work" in the classroom each week and have these fabulous work free summers.
Comment by Paul — June 22, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
For those who have posted support for Penny Kyle, it’s easy to do when you are on the outside looking in…but it’s a very different view from the inside! If you want to know how things really are on campus, just ask those of us who work here. Ask the staff members who were told by Penny Kyle that she was going to correct the salary inequities only to receive a letter stating that their position was paid 80% below market value, yet they would received no additional compensation to correct it…ask those who were told they would get no raise this year and are being told it may be another two years before we see one (yet Penny makes sure she and her cabinet are well paid)…ask the adjunct faculty who no longer have jobs due to budget cuts…ask the students who can’t get classes they need because there is no one to teach them…ask the registrar who was given 4 days notice that his job had been eliminated because of budget cuts (yes, RU cut the registrar’s position because of no funding)…ask the students who, when asked why their questions were not being addressed in the so-called “open forum”, were told by Penny Kyle “I get to chose the questions, you don’t!”…ask the departments who can’t get earmarked money from the foundation because the Provost won’t approve it…ask departments who can’t order basic office supplies and equipment because of budget cuts…ask students who can’t attend Radford University because scholarship money has been cut off…ask those who donate money to Radford University with the hopes that it will help fund a scholarship, or educational materials for students, only to find it is funding Penny Kyle’s salary…ask those who work at RU and I’m sure you would see things a little differently.
Comment by AnotherView — June 22, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Ahhh, Brian and RU Alumn, the voices of reason. People are ganging up on poor Penelope due to the fact she is a woman and so business savvy. Please.... she is a polarizing individual. While Doug Covington had his critics you could never fault his person as being anything but genuine. This article and negative campus/public reaction have more to do with her person and management style than anything. Her leadership skills are wanting. Brian is right though in that the group that needs to be enthralled with her is and that is the BOT. But let's not be too naive here Brian. With her "influence" that her advocates promote, she is able to get who she wants appointed. You can't have it both ways. She either has the ear of Kaine or she doesn't. I agree that she does and it manifests itself in being a part of the selection process. As for the Foundation, if you look at the disenters, they have all been with the foundation for years as opposed to the numerous new members on the very same board who are going along with the $1 million option. I am sure this is helping the Foundation with its fundraising. All in all, it is an awful day to be a Highlander and I look forward to my retirement from RU. The only positive aspects of being at RU are the students who deserve better.
Comment by Sheila — June 22, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
I agree with AnotherView. The only way to get the story out there to folks like Brian is to flood this blog with actual true stories of the issues faced daily on this campus. I am asking that people forward this blog address to anyone you can to get them to post their support or non-support of Kyle. Let's put democracy at work!
http://blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/roundtable/2009/06/21/trejbal-radfords-president-kyle-isnt-worth-her-new-pay-package/#comment-50955
Comment by Sarah — June 22, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
Is this subject to a public vote?
Comment by Kristen — June 22, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Kyle's compensation package is not subject to public vote. At this point there are only two public votes that could change things.
1) Stop donating to the Radford University Foundation and make it clear that the reason is its wasteful use of funds.
2) Ask the gubernatorial candidates if they would act to replace members of the board of visitors who supported this package. It's hard to justify making this a litmus test in the governor's race, though, given all of the other pressing issues confronting the commonwealth.
Comment by C. Trejbal — June 22, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
As a graduate of RU, I used to send annual support to the RU Foundation because I want to help other students as I was aided in the past. I did not do so this year because I refuse to have the money I send in good faith go toward a ridiculous salary package for a figure head.
Comment by Deborah — June 22, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
You don't have to stop donating to the RU foundation. You can always specify what your money goes for. I work at RU and make regular salary deduction donations to the foundation and specify that all my money goes to student scholarship funds.
Comment by bab — June 23, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
So if, as bab says, you can specify how your donation is used, why are departments being denied funds that are specified for them? See comment #12 above for just one example.
Comment by AnotherView — June 23, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
Bab is correct, but why support an institution/foundation that has poor leadership and makes bad decisions in the worst of times? We must be able to trust the foundation to make prudent decisions. A million dollars handout is not prudent. If they can't make the major decisions correctly, how can they manage my $100 contribution correctly? It is sad. Until leadership changes I am not giving a dime more. The people that lose out will be the students which is unfortunate. It will be interesting to see the impact on giving, though we the public will ever know. They will hide that information I am sure.
Comment by Sarah — June 23, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
I am a student at RU and today received this email from the University regarding RU Foundation scholarships:
"...As we have previously indicated, nearly three times as many students applied for scholarships this year as ever before. This significantly complicated and extended the decision-making process, but we are very confident that, in the final analysis, the most deserving students will receive scholarships.
Sadly, many highly qualified scholarship applicants will not be receiving award letters this week; there are simply not enough scholarships for everyone to receive one..."
If "highly qualified" students are not allowed a small chunk of the Foundation's money, the Foundation is not doing it's job. This is downright robbery and something must be done. Students need scholarship money more than PK needs her dinner parties.
Comment by Emily — June 24, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
And regarding donations to the Foundation, if you choose to discontinue your donation, be sure to write the administration, the Board of Visitors, and the candidates for governor and let them know precisely why. If the businesspeople in charge of this university realize that they are losing money, perhaps they will reconsider their attitudes and actions.
Comment by Emily — June 24, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
I have a few responses to some of the comments I’ve read so far:
“When our country is in such a mess as it is, this makes no sense to me. A car? A maid? Million dollar bonus?”
She had a car, a house, and a housekeeper since she got here…funny no one complained about that in her original contract. As for the bonus? Go compare that to other schools in VA…in fact go 15 miles down the road and compare it to the VT’s Presidents package, and then you’ll realize her bonus doesn’t look so large anymore. Oh and anyone complaining about her retention bonus that is currently a state employee…pot meet kettle…you have one too, it’s called the Virginia Retirement System.
“It’s time this issue was put out there so everyone knows how much this person makes and what about the stimulus money she received for Radford. Where did that go? In some fund for a rainy day. Tell her that rainy day has come hire back some staff you let go.”
Stimulus money couldn’t be used for a “rainy day”, it was used in order to keep tuition from jumping 15-25% next year. Also stimulus money cannot be used for hiring of positions that aren’t temporary as the funds will not be available next year once the stimulus money is gone.
“The analysis regarding what has been “accomplished” is spot on. Context is everything. RU received the same proportion of resources as everyone else in good times. “
Think again. RU was in a lower tier of schools before she got here which meant less funding to the University as compared to other schools in VA. With her getting Richmond to move RU to a higher tier of schools to be compared against, it meant additional funding became available (at least before the State budget cuts).
“Bud, much of Kyle's compensation package, including the $1 million bonus, comes from private contributions to the Radford University Foundation, not from the commonwealth. As others have noted, the foundation donations were expected to fund education, classes, scholarships, capital acquisitions and so on.”
For those that thought their money was being used to fund education, classes, etc. you should understand more about the donation process before you give your money away. You can designate where your donation goes to. If you want it used for scholarships then you have a right to state that. For those that didn’t, it’s your fault you didn’t understand that.
“My salary is in the low 40s, the national average for my field at this point in my career. For that salary, I spend 15 hours per week in the classroom…”
Welcome to the U.S.A. where you can choose to do whatever you want in life, which includes working 60 hours a week in a 40k job. You want more money, or you want to do something else, it’s up to you.
“Ask the staff members who were told by Penny Kyle that she was going to correct the salary inequities only to receive a letter stating that their position was paid 80% below market value, yet they would received no additional compensation to correct it”
This is unfortunate, but things most likely would have been different had the economy not fallen apart, and the University’s state funding not been cut 3-4 times in the past 18 months. She stated from the very beginning that she didn't have the funds to fix the problem, but she was going to try and find it...that was before the economy fell apart.
“ask those who were told they would get no raise this year and are being told it may be another two years before we see one”
Again this stinks, but if you have a problem with that go call your State Delegate and complain. They are the ones that control State employees pay, not the school, and not the President.
“ask the adjunct faculty who no longer have jobs due to budget cuts”
The risk of being adjunct faculty is that you don’t know if you’ll have a job from one semester to the next. Again blame the economy and the cut in State funding, not the President.
“As a graduate of RU, I used to send annual support to the RU Foundation because I want to help other students as I was aided in the past. I did not do so this year because I refuse to have the money I send in good faith go toward a ridiculous salary package for a figure head.”
Well then you should be ashamed. Now more than ever students need all the help they can get to fund their education. Why don’t you learn how to designate your money for scholarships, and you can help people that need it.
Look I understand that she has done some things wrong. The “expedited” program review should have been labeled budget cutting from the very beginning, and I believe she really needs to work on her relationships with the community. Since she came from outside of the academic universe it automatically made the faculty not trust her, and I don’t think she’s done enough to correct that. That being said, I think a lot of things that she’s accomplished get over looked, and I think a lot of people need to understand the workings of the University better before they get on their soap box and say how bad of a job she is doing. So much of what goes on in the University gets dictated by the State, and the President has been very good at working with Richmond to improve the University’s image and standing. Though it’s hard for people to see that right now with the way the economy is, it will be evident when we begin to see a recovery.
Finally, a lot of people don’t like to hear it, but the University is a business. Plain and Simple. The University provides a service that people pay for, and it has to do so without losing money. A lot of people are up in arms because she runs the place more like a business, but in today’s higher education environment, it’s required. It’s unfortunate that the landscape of higher education is changing into this, but there is not much we can do about it.
Comment by Joe — June 24, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
In response to Joe's comment: "For those that thought their money was being used to fund education, classes, etc. you should understand more about the donation process before you give your money away. You can designate where your donation goes to. If you want it used for scholarships then you have a right to state that. For those that didn’t, it’s your fault you didn’t understand that."
No. The Foundation staff has told employees that while donors can earmark funds for certain purposes, the staff cannot guarantee the funds will be given to that program. The staff also cannot refuse a foundation request from the administration.
Appalachian Studies has thousands of dollars in the foundation and cannot access it. Communications Science and Disorders has had grant money deposited into the foundation and then been refused access to it.
Do you really think ANYBODY donates money and says it should be spend for Kyle's salary? Of course not. This means the foundation has to sweep first un-earmarked funds and when that runs dry, raid the others.
I stopped donating once the Foundation staff said they could not guarantee my earmark would be honored.
Comment by Annamary — June 24, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Another bust democratic appointment that nobody in the governor's chair ever seems to take any heat for.
Nothing new there.
Comment by BobH — June 24, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
Annamary; I cannot speak for what the Foundation has told you, but if they are telling you that they cannot restrict your donation then they either don't understand what you are asking them, or they aren't telling you the truth. There are "restricted funds" and "unrestricted funds". Here are the definitions, and examples:
Definition:
Donors to a nonprofit organization may designate or "restrict" the use of their donations to a particular purpose or project. An example is a gift to a particular scholarship fund at a university.
"Unrestricted" funds are donations that are available for the nonprofit to use toward any purpose. Unrestricted funds usually go toward the operating expenses of the organization.
So for example if you want your money to be put into a business school related scholarship then you are allowed to designate it for that purpose and that purpose only. If you just want to donate funds to the general fund which can be used for things such as the President's retention bonus then you can do that as well by making your funds unrestricted. Now if you were donating money to some specific fundraising event (for example when they raised money specifically for the new Covington center) then these rules might not apply, but otherwise if they are telling you different then someone there is either misinformed, or something else is going on which shouldn't be.
Comment by Joe — June 24, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Yes, Kyle makes less than Steger, but, with no disrespect to RU, the president of VT should make much more than the president of Radford. VT is much larger and has a budget 7 times the size of RU’s. I could understand the argument that we need to invest heavily in a quality president that will move RU up the ranks, but what indication has there been that Penny Kyle is that president? The faculty hates her, the students can’t stand her, and the alumni don’t want to deal with her. I have numerous friends and family who have been deeply involved in the University over the years as students, alumni and faculty who have become so disillusioned with her that they’ve decided that it is simply not worth it to try to be involved. The people that are her biggest supporters are those that she appointed. As evidenced by the letter of dissent published a few days ago, those that remain who do oppose her are being pressured into acquiescing or leaving.
Comment by Dave — June 24, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
Joe,
You aren't listening. Departments that have had funds earmarked for their use are not being given access to them. Yes, donors may designate funds for a particular use, but there are no guarantees that it will be honored. Otherwise, why have those funds not been assessable to departments for the past few years? Also, take a look at the foundation staff list and compare it to just a couple of years ago. Think the turnover is an accident? Think again.
As far as comparing Kyle's salary to that of VT's president, try comparing the endowments. VT's is $528 million vs. RU's $58 million. You're trying to compare apples and oranges. Steger is running a far larger university with a far greater budget. Just compare faculty salaries at the two institutions and you will find similar disparities. There is no reason to expect that Kyle's salary should approach Steger's. There is good reason to question whether this raise is a good use of resources when RU is undergoing a time of such severe budget cuts. To my mind, there is little difference between what's happening here and what has so recently happened in private industry. You've hit the nail on the head on one point. Kyle is following a business model (complete with a corporate-style compensation package), and we've seen how well that has worked for Wall Street recently.
While you're at it, try watching the PBS video, "Declining by Degrees" to see an excellent analysis of the short-comings of the business model for academics.
The bottom line is that a good leader should have good leadership skills. Kyle has alienated most of the faculty, staff, and much of local community, all of whom she treats with distain. She's not a good leader, and she is certainly not worth the price RU is having to pay, on many levels.
Comment by Disgusted at RU — June 24, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
No offense to "disgruntled" but just about the only objective program I have seen on PBS was the replay of the Celtic Woman concert. PBS is very biased IMHO.
Ms. Kyle showed her true colors when she met with students and said she was having to make some personal economic cuts also because of the recession. This was roundly criticized (he pay was not cur) and before the announcement of this huge bonus.
Amazing that her appointment by a democratic governor goes completely unnoticed and off the radar screen.
Comment by BobH — June 24, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
Disgusted at RU;
No doubt that Steger should be making more money. VT is much larger, but if you look at other schools closer to RU, then you will notice that the salary isn't as far out as people think. JMU's President makes 400k before bonus, perks, etc. Mary Washington 340k, George Mason 405k, VMI 350k. All those are base salaries, and don't include bonuses. Before the new deal, Kyle's was below 300k. Yes that is still a lot of money no doubt, but I don't think her new deal is terribly out of line compared to others schools which are closer to RU's size.
I know she has has some PR nightmares, some she created on her own, but others have been fueled by people that only have part of the story. I know it appears in my comments that I am trying to stand up for her, and that's not truly the case. I just don't like it when folks make false accusations or half-truths, and put the blame on people that don't have control over certain situations. The President has no control over state budget cuts, she doesn't control salaries, or the hiring of less adjuncts, or decisions the BOV makes or comments they make.
I don't fully understand the people that say "I, or my friends don't like her, so I am not going to get involved with or support the University." That's like saying, I didn't like George Bush as President, so I moved to Canada. There are 10,000 students, and thousands of people that work at the University every day. There are other things you can do to support the school you went to, or work at other than giving money to the Foundation. Whether you like the President or not, by just throwing your hands up and saying "I'm done!" is like cutting your nose off to spite your face. If you got a business degree, talk to the business department and see if there is a way you can help them. If you were involved with athletics find a way to work directly with them. A President's time at a University is average 7 years. The University will be celebrating its 100 birthday real soon. It's had many Presidents since the founding of the school, and will have many more down the line.
As for running the University as a business, I was not endorsing that as a good thing. But in this environment where budgets are being cut, and the schools are forced to do more and more with less and less, and needing to stay a step ahead of your competition you have to run it that way. It has become that way on its own, the President didn't make it that way. And please do not compare the "business model" with what Wall Street has done recently. There are thousands if not millions of companies, and millions of people out there working day in and day out to be successful and get by. Just because of the disgusting greedy jerks on Wall Street doesn't mean that the system is broken.
As for the Foundation, I am not familiar enough with them to understand how they function. All I do know is if you designate your money for a certain reason, and they fail to use that money for the purpose you state that they are breaking the rules associated with non-for profit entities and charitable donations. Why Departments cannot get access to the money I have no idea. If you are concerned about it though, start calling the Foundation and demanding answers. If it's your money you donated, you have a right to know what is going on with it. If you don't get answers that way, then start calling the BOV members and demanding answers. If that doesn't work, then talk to the office that anointed the BOV - The Governor's office.
Comment by Joe — June 25, 2009 @ 8:21 am
Joe, I don't know who you are or how close you are to the situation at RU, but your comment "or something else is going on which shouldn't be" best describes how giving at RU has operated for the past two years. Departments aren't given access to funds designated for them without the administration's approval. And yes, Appalachian Studies is a prime example of contributions not finding their way to the intended recipient. In a more ethical and above the table environment, the system would be working as it should. Unfortunately, this simply does not describe what RU is today.
Comment by Been There, Tired of That — June 25, 2009 @ 10:22 am
Having read all (35) comments, I find the last two (34) and (35) seem to summarize them all. Both comments seem to hit home with me, and they certainly bring up some valid public concerns which I'll be conveying in a petition to the Dept. of Justice within the coming week. I noticed the editor left out a very important stimulus bonus for Kyle. She can receive up to 1/3 of her annual 290k salary as a yearly bonus. This is over and above the 200k "Stay Bonus" that she is to receive each year. In reading the Foundation boards letter to Kyle of May 13,2009 they stated it costs the foundation 475k to fund her annual salary. That's not taking into consideration another 100k that may be tacked on each year at the whim of the BOV. So, lets add it all up. 475k plus 100k maximum potential bonus, plus a 5% bonus on the state portion of her salary and another 5% bonus on the deferred payment or 25k, plus her state salary is 145k more or less. This comes to 720k more or less. Now, when you compare this to Presidential pay at Tech (737k) and UVA 779K you see the comparison. We all know this is like an apple with two oranges. Both schools are three times the size of Radford, and they have superior engineering, law, and medical schools. Now, do you understand why she is overpaid? In my personal opinion...I think both the President and BOV needs to resign...and that's what the petition will say as well!
Comment by Bill from Roanoke — June 25, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
The BOV is wine and dined on the highest level at each meeting they hold at RU. They are pampered and catered to, so why would they "go against the grain"? Rubber stamp PK's salary and perks and everyone is happy. Not quite....I don't think anyone has mentioned PK"s comment about her not being able to live at the "standard" she is used to. Wow! What kind of package did she have at the Lottery? Add the disrespect of the students, staff, and anyone not working directly for her and yes, she and the "rubber stampers" should all go out the door quickly before RU goes completely down the tubes!
What an outrage and disgrace for everyone associated with RU! Bill, please post the petition so all can have access to it.
Comment by Ashamed RU Grad — June 26, 2009 @ 10:11 am
And now we are starting to hear that the Provost has announced that they will start cutting jobs in July...
Comment by Worried — June 26, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
Where was this announcement made? Is it in print someplace?
Comment by Can't Afford to Lose My Job! — June 26, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
One of the most important functions of a university president is the ability to communicate. Kyle if far from a great communicator and in fact has made significant changes without even telling the people who are directly involved. As an example, she and Stanton changed (mostly on their own) the name of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services to The Waldron College of Health without even telling Waldron or talking to people in the college and giving the people directly involved a chance to weigh in on this change. Most people found out about it when it was discussed by Stanton at a public meeting.
It is not uncommon for the "president" to cancle public engagements at the last minute. For example, at one large fundraiser she called the people involved who had worked long hourse to organize a fundraising event the she "did not feel like attending and would not be there". My understanding is that this style of last minute canceling or her attendance at organized public events is a typical pattern for her. How many of us could get away with this.
She and Stanton regularly tell the Board of V. that the university problems are the result of deadbeat faculty members. Ther is a concentratedeffort to filter information going to the board from members of the campus community...that and I am simply starting to think that the Board really does not care to take the time to understand what the university is really all about.
Kyle and Stanton both are authoritarian non-communicators with little understanding of the real qualities necessary for leadership. To be true leaders you need participation with the people you lead. True leaders also understand that meny people working together to solve difficult problems will almost always result in better outcdomes than just one or two people, like Kyle and Stanton, sitting in a dark room alone as they make decisions for the entire university. Both are arrogant to believe that they will always know what is best for everyone else.
Comment by Louise F. — June 27, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
I completely agree that almost everything she is supposed to have accomplished would have happened without her. She has alienated so many great faculty and staff, driven many of the best to either seek other jobs or early retirement and has made the university the laughing stock of the entire state. I can not imagine anyone wanting to send his son or daughter here while she is president. She is incompetent, ego-centered, aloof, and vindictive. It's also pretty galling that while she got a massive salary increase, the skilled and highly trained faculty who actually work here as EDUCATORS got NOTHING.
Comment by Old Faculty — June 29, 2009 @ 3:43 pm
Face it all, she won. We lost. Connections matter. Doing what is right doesn't. Just be grateful she isn't a good president. If she were, the BOV and Foundation would have given her alot more than $1 million. My advice is to do what may of us are doing... staying low and riding the storm out. We are looking forward to our next president as it is almost a 100% lock to be a great, great choice. Until then, we suffer and wait while the $1m meter runs because there is no way she is leaving until she can punch that ticket.
It would be interesting to see the impact on fundraising this is having. Trejbal, with the fiscal year coming to end this week, your next story should be on the reduction in annual financial support which can be gleamed from the a phone call to the Foundation Director, Albert Mah. I wonder what the number for the amount of money and number of folks that have given this year compared to last looks like? It can't be good. They will delay responding I am sure just as they've delayed disbursements from monies given to my account. If they will even share would be interesting, but they would almost have to as nothing is worse than a secretive foundation that doesn't share global contextual information. Unfortunately with this saga the price tag is much more than $1m. It includes the loss of trust, respect, good will, advocacy and fundraising support. While I hope she is worth it for the sake of my RU, I know the truth and unfortunately so do many others (except for the varied boards of course!).
Comment by Staying Low — June 29, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
Isn't it interesting that "From the Blog: Debating the RU president's compensation" in Sunday's NRV Current was NOT accessible on line as were all the editorials about students texting at lunch and other articles published in that edition about Tiffany Anderson leaving the superintendent position in Montgomery County. I also found it interesting, after a closer look, that when the comments from the blog were put into the article there were only 3 negative comments about the compensation and 3 positive comments with 2 about the RU Foundation. This LOOKS like a balanced arguement BUT the reality is that out of 42 comments posted only 4 can be seen as supporting Kyle and all the rest (not counting the brief discussion about RU Foundation contributions) were not in support of Kyle nor her performance. This kind of journalism begs for Truth. If an article is going to be published in the Current, then it should reflect accurately the tenor of the blog. This article did not! In fact, people outside the RU community think, based on this article that the feelings being aired are equally pro and con. This is not the case and the general public has the right to know.
Yes, I know John Q. Public can run through myriad cyber pathways to get to the blog, but most will not spend that amount of time on something that doesn't really affect them.
Perhaps we should be asking who controls the Roanoke Times and its content? Could it be someone on the BOV? Good question.
Comment by Hope — June 30, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Walter Rugaber sits on the Board of Visitors and is the former publisher for the Roanoke Times.
Comment by Sally — June 30, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
Interesting! How did he vote on the compensation package, I wonder.
Comment by Hope — June 30, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
RU employees received an email today stating that the Governor is asking for budget revisions of 5,10, and 15 percent due in Richmond by July 22. I'm glad Penny Kyle got her big fat undeserved raise before more budget cuts are announced. Seems like every time someone at RU gets a big raise (i.e. Penny Kyle or Provost Stanton), it happens just before the Governor announces budget cuts. Guess it pays (very well) to have connections in Richmond!
Comment by HappyHoliday... — July 2, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
You are absolutely right, Happy. This whole thing is so rediculous and what's crazy about it is that the board couldn't care less about our views. I think that all of the Radford Univ. community should boycott PK's opening day speech as a protest. How could we get that movement started?
Comment by Old Faculty — July 6, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
You can't make this stuff up can you? Unbelievable but so representative of the patter of this administration. Twist the numbers to make Kyle fit and enhance the perception of perceived success to justify the unbelievable pay. I am a graduate of RU, love RU, but don't feel that they are in the same peer group as VT or UV! Do the people that make these decisions not comprehend context, the times we are in and/or the perception of this. I can't believe an educated group can be so obtuse and disconnected from reality. They too must be suffering along with our PK in "not living like I used to." Apparently they believed her statement to this effect, felt for her predictament, and increased her pay accordingly. We've been quick to jump on PK and deservedly so, but our attention should turn to the enablers as well. It is easy to blame the spoiled child, but the parents are normally a big cause and I believe so in this case. The key question for the BOV is who does RU compare themselves for academic matters? That is our peer group, not some BS administrative process driven function. By their current logic if RU had 1,000 students instead of 10,000 students this rate of pay would still be justified due to the autonomy of the business function. Ridiculous!
Comment by Tim C. — July 7, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
Did everyone get the RU-Announce today. Special message from PK expressing her deep concern about the budget cuts. 81 percent of the budget is in people, but not her. How can she sleep at night writing about potential cuts in staff when the money just keeps on rolling in her door. I wish there was some way to answer these ridiculous and phony emails that she sends out. How can we get the word out to boycott her opening convocation?
Comment by Old Faculty — July 11, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
The RU Foundation Board or the RU Board of Visitors, whichever has more authority or more intestinal fortitude, whichever is applicable, should appoint an outside auditor to thoroughly investigate the RU Foundations. How much money has been contributed and by how many donors in each of the past five years? Where has the money gone? Who paid for the coronation -- oops -- inauguration? Have donors wishes been respected? Why have the number of people who have to approve a Foundation expenditure expanded? Why the delays in approval? Are the reasons for disapproving an expenditure valid?
Pay for the audit by selling the property on Pill Hill. Yes, the president's house. She spends most of her time in Richmond anyway, and she can well afford to rent one of the many more suitable residences available in today's market -- or buy one of them if she really plans to stay here several more years. Not our problem.
Comment by Real Friend of RU — July 12, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
An investigation and audit of the RU Foundation is an excellent idea. I know that funds I have contributed and earmarked have NOT, I repeat, NOT been used as I specified. Departments and individuals I designated to be in charge of the funds have been denied access. I have written letters to the Foundation over the years. The Foundation's funding of a retention bonus was the last straw. My contributions have ceased awaiting the resignation of all members of the Foundation Board and the Board of Visitors who voted for the President's package.
Comment by TGIR — July 13, 2009 @ 12:38 am
I have a very hard time with the fact that Radford University is a State Funded institution and the state has had to pinch pennies to let people we need such as health departments who serve low income cliets stay open and workers to keep their jobs. She was not qualified to do the job and should not be so greedy. Same goes for any other universities and their personell who are over paid. They are the leaders who should be saying no to the money so programs we need in VA can stay open.
Comment by Brooke — July 15, 2009 @ 4:02 pm
Can't someone with some clout address this issue of the Foundation and bring it to the Governor's attention? These are legitimate concerns that should be looked into. Who has the authority to approve such an investigation?
Comment by Old Faculty — July 16, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
there's a special place in hell for greed and penny's at the top of the list along with bank of america, golden sachs, etc.... and tuition is on the rise? she should be ashamed! she's obviously out of touch with the difficulty many students AND parents endure to put a child thru college. again, shame on YOU penny! and what's up with you living in richmond and rarely at RU? those flames will be hot my dear!
Comment by patty — July 18, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
Comment by Old Faculty...I hopeful an investigation by Federal Authorities will be forthcoming in the not too distant future. In the meantime...I suggest that everyone log onto Tim Kaine's web page...and send him an email about investigating the school as well. Kirk's reappointment may have been for another reason!!!
Comment by Bill from Roanoke — July 18, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
This is a great idea. It is very simple to send an email to the governor from his official website. You can do it anonymously as well. Let's get the ball rolling on this and see if we can force an investigation of the foundation's handling of money.
Comment by Old Faculty — July 19, 2009 @ 10:37 am
Comment by Old Faculty...I'm working on a document (one and one-half inches thick)and growing to be hand delivered to various Federal Offices in Roanoke summarizing the facts and events of the past 20 months at Radford University. It should grab their attention! In addition,I'll continue to petition the public at large (door to door) for their response!
Comment by Bill from Roanoke — July 20, 2009 @ 2:47 pm
God bless you Bill. Thank you for your efforts on this important issue. You will want to be sure to call for a thorough accounting of past efforts to move the resources of the Foundation to several new foundations which would have been under the sole jurisdiction of PK and Kirk. It is mindboggling to me and many others on how she has been able to effectively take over the Foundation and create a rubber stamp to every whim/idea she has. There are no checks and balances. I don't believe that the accounting function of the Foundation reports to the executive director of the foundation, Al Mah, it reports to the VP for Finance & Administration for RU. This is a stark departure from the past Charlie Wood era. Check out the contacts page on the development "George Chatneuff Office of the Vice President for Finance & Administration, Foundation Accountant" and "Crystal Fortner Office of the Vice President for Finance & Administration, Foundation Accounts Payable Technician". The University, not the Foundation representative, oversees all expenditures and accounts. This must be a clear violation of the 501c3 charter isn't it? This may explain why I, along with many others, are having difficulty pulling from our varied Foundation accounts. As an RU grad I pray that something can be done to help the situation. I love RU and it troubles me to see and experience what is going on. Bill, if you could post your document on line it would be greatly appreciated. You are the voice for many that fear retribution. Thank you.
Comment by Tim C. — July 20, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
So now that the freshman class numbers are out it is time to see the real cost of the Kyle/Stanton regime. Down 401 freshman from last year because the good people in the admissions office got smart and left (not sure if it was on their own or if they had some help leaving) and nobody picked up the pieces. So 401 students at about $15,000 per year equals six million dollars in lost revenue. Over the course of the next several years this will cost RU upwards of twenty million dollars. Is that worthy of a million dollar stay bonus?
Comment by Add it up — July 21, 2009 @ 11:05 am
Not only did they leave, but the positions were left vacant for quite awhile as well. Nice prioritization by a "business-mind" in NOT focusing on the primary revenue generator. The intriguing fact is that with RU being the best value (cheapest) in the worst economy in decades, enrollment should be up as with other like-institutions. It isn't. Why? And for the sake of arguement, let's say that Add It Up is a little high with his/her $15k estimate. Let's say $10k, that is still $4 million in revenue this year and over $16 million over four. Add this to the definitive downturn in giving by alumni and RU is left with a modest negative $20 million impact over the next four plus years. Nice job PK. Enjoy the $1m bonus for the fine work. Ughh...............
Comment by Tim C. — July 21, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
This is the link to the State's fraud and abuse hotline, should anyone be interested in lodging a complaint about the foundation's practices.
http://www.doa.virginia.gov/DSIA/Fraud_and_Abuse_Hotline.cfm
An additional point of contact that may be useful:
John A. Spooner, State Internal Auditor
Voice: (804) 225-3106, ext. 24
Email: john.spooner@doa.virginia.gov
Fax: (804) 371-0165
Comment by CK — July 22, 2009 @ 9:01 am
When the top three people left (or were pushed out of)the admissions office, the administration (i.e. Wil Stanton and Penny Kyle) asked the VP of new student programs and the vice provost over academic affairs to step in until they could figure out what to do. One of the three that left came back, but has again decided (or was it decided for them ?) that they are not staying and will be leaving in early August. Yes, enrollment is down and Stanton and Kyle are pointing fingers at everyone but themselves! Not only did they not take action when the top three people of the admissions office left, RU is also getting a lot of bad press! Have they thought that maybe those things have anything to do with poor enrollment?
Comment by OSB — July 22, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
I just read where RU has hired another Athletic Director. I count 83 employees in the athletic fields (list on Highlanders employee web site).
I taught in a department that has been decimated by the refusal to rehire vacant positions. More than half of the classes in the department that I retired from are now being taught by adjunct faculty.
Penny seems to be uninterested in academics, but will spare no expense to further the athletic aspirations of the university. I love sports, but some equity is warranted.
Comment by had it with RU — July 22, 2009 @ 7:11 pm
Tim C. and Comment from CK...I hear what your're saying. I say step up the pressure by emailing the Governor's office like I did...just log on his webb site. Tim C. you seem to understand the inner workings better than I. As an outsider...this is what I see. First of all, someone cut the Foundation from (30) to (17) members to take control of the board and the money. The foundation now consists of (12) outside directors and (4) Ex Officio members...(3) of which were hired by Kyle...the 4th member is Kyle herself...all of which have voting rights. Now, add (1) BOV member to the foundation...I assume was R.J. Kirk...then add (1) Mary A. Hovis...the BOV liason to the foundation. Then add (1) Matt Crisp's vote...he's employed by Kirk at Third Security. Add Virginia Ousley...a Director at Carilion...and associate of BOV Nancy Agee...a VP at Carilion. Are you getting the picture and counting the votes. This is how you gain control of the foundation...by having over half the votes. Now, there's (20) members on the board! How did the other three get on there...I haven't found an answere to that. For the sake of comparison...VCU has (28) directors...(2) are Ex Officio members...the President and Rector...but only the Rector can vote!!!!! Are you getting the picture. It's all about Controling the Foundation. Believe its in my report the the FED's. Keep up the fight ladies and gentleman...this story is not over!!!!
Comment by Bill from Roanoke — July 23, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Bill, you are on the money. I didn't realize the connections but assumed that there were. It has been a long, but deliberate, process to assume control of the Foundation. Again, I really think that its 501c3 tax status could be exposed. Many of its practices and that of its leadership could be strongly questioned when you consider the following:
1) Rubber stamp board appointments made as you aptly note above.
2) Little, if any, formally documented discussion regarding a $1 million committment (dissenting letter by four souls brave enough to stand up)
3) Mismanagment by putting at risk Foundation assets in the event that there isn't enough unrestricted funds to cover the $1 million commitment.
4) Persisting issues related to donor funds getting to the programs as designated
5) Moving of the accounting function from the Foundation to the University
6) Appointing of a puppet/paper Executive Director in Mah who prior to the appointment was a support position/manager.
There is plenty of smoke here and for that matter everywhere. The admissions fiasco is a joke. It is very telling how many leadership positions have been vacated, filled, vacated, filled.... under her tenure. Hires a provost, fires a provost, hires a provost in Stanton that she originally wouldn't give the time of day. Fires/Re-assigns an AD, hires an AD, AD leaves, AD hired. VP for Finance leaves, VPF hired, VPF leaves, VPF hired. VP for Development retires, VPD hired, VPD forced out, hires a VPD that she originally wouldn't give the time of day, then hires a "Campaign Director" to place above this position. And the list goes on and on and on.
It is stunning that a leader (so-called) can:
1) Alienate every core constituency group
2) Be non-inclusive in communication & decision making processes
3) Manipulate "independant" organizations for personal gain
4) Hire "professionals" based solely on personal connections, not credentials
5) Experience continued significant turnover in key leadership positions
6) Though avoidable, have a significant decline in the number 1 source of revenue: students
Most, if not all, of the above are unquestionably correct facts. Yet, her reward is a $1 million stay bonus? Truly remarkable in this time of the digital age and the transparancy that accompanys it.
Comment by Tim C. — July 23, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
I went to the website posted above http://www.doa.virginia.gov/DSIA/Fraud_and_Abuse_Hotline.cfm and called the 800 number. The individual was very courteous and helpful. I talked to him about allegations involving the RU Foundation. Two things: one they state government can not address this issue because the Foundation is not a state agency. But he said that he would forward my concerns to the accounting firm that is responsible for overseeing the foundation's activities. He said that they would be especially interested in the withholding of scholarship funds that were dedicated contributions. He asked very detailed questions as well. He gave me a case number in case I want to call back. If anyone wants to call and report anything specific about fraud at RU please reference Case Number 10944.
Comment by old faculty — July 23, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
Comment by Tim C. and by old faculty...The information you have is invaluable to this investigation process. The outside public has no idea what has gone on and to read this information only adds fuel to the fire. Your words will be read...As part of the evidence report to the Federal Authorities I'm submitting these testimonials (affidavits) 1 - 66 thus far. The report starts from September 5th and 6th 2008 when I first read about Radford's dilema in the Roanoke Times...RARE's letter opposing the annuity raise, Blake's resignation for exposing the 145K annuity raise (which has turned out to be 296k annually with the annual bonus she just received (it was in the contract...1/3 of her annual salary, and Gordon King resigning in June of 2008 as the Foundation Chair. You did realize her salary and 200k "Stay Bonus" and 1/3 of her salary as a deferred payment puts her salary around 615k plus some other expenses. The contract states the BOV can pay her up to 1/3 third...and of course they gave the maximum. I'm telling the complete story from start to finish with all the documents attached thereto. I want it to be so thorough and eye catching they won't ignore it. Keep up the fight!
Comment by Bill from Roanoke — July 23, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
Perhaps it is time for a vote of 'no confidence' by the faculty. Dr. Dedmon was removed from office, and his malfeasance was minimal compared to the activities of this regime.
Comment by had it with RU — July 23, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Bill from Roanoke: Don't forget that the Foundation's attorney works for the same firm that Kyles husband works for. Conflict of interest? To expand on Tim C.'s comment about hiring from personal connections: The admissions office has just hired two associate directors, bringing the total to three. One of them worked directly for Dr. Nape (the new Vice Provost of Enrollment at Randolph-Macon). The second one is her husband! Can you imagine the atmosphere in that office if the husband-wife team has an argument at home? That also gives two of the three associate directors a direct connection with the vice provost, who is working for Kyle, so you can kind of see how that might effect what happens in the admissions office.
Comment by ?Everything — July 23, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
Comment by ?Everything...Do you know if her husband's firm was hired before or after Kyle arrived at Radford - a significant point? Also, an earlier message...possibly on another web site a person stated that Brad Greenberg's girlfriend...in reference to the Advancement Office was on probation! After reviewing the above messages...I think it was another webb site...newrivervoice.com where someone made mention of this fact!
Comment by Bill from Roanoke — July 24, 2009 @ 11:49 am
The husband's firm was prior to her arrival. Unfortunatly, though a conflict of interest may potentially exist. Yes, Brad Greenberg's girlfriend was put in charge of development, after PK ran off the person she hired to run the shop. The girlfriend is rumored to be on the "outs" so much so that a woman by the same of Sink was brought in above her. She must be miserable.
Comment by Tim C. — July 24, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
The Radford BOV is not alone in having been conned into awarding Mrs. Kyle a large salary raise. In 1994 and 1995 when Kyle was lottery director, the Allen administration gave her a 22% salary increase over a two-year period at a time when state employees were being laid off. After a public outcry in which she defended herself by saying she had three children to send to public schools, Kyle submitted to pressure and returned the raise. She explained that it was not really a raise in as much as she made more working for CSX. Not having learned her lesson, the following year she awarded some of her lottery employees raises of 4-9% when the average raise for Virginia employees was 2.25%. Sound familiar? Her excuse that year was that the lottery brought in 2.7% more money than was expected--hardly an amazing accomplishment. Do you suppose the IRS gives out big bonuses when they bring in more cash? This story came from newspaper articles in the Richmond Times Dispatch. Penny seems to be on a shallow learning curve.
Comment by Real Friend of RU — July 24, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
Susan Sink was recently hired as a "Campaign Director" in the Centennial Celebration office. Apparantly, she reports directly to Kyle.
Comment by ?Everything — July 24, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
Here is some more info on Susan Sink...it's easy to see why Kyle might want her at RU.
At Virginia Tech, she increased annual private support to the Engineering College from $4.4 million to approximately $23.4 million. As Assistant Vice President, Susan led the Virginia Tech College and Constituent Units to a record high in major gifts and pledges for Fiscal Year 2002.
She also worked for a company called Prospect Information Network (PIN) helps to identify alumni and friends with major gift capacity.
Comment by ?Everything — July 24, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
I've heard Susan is a good egg, scattered a bit, but a good person overall. Also heard through VT that while that increase is true, she had a lot of help and that it was a team effort including the Dean, Steger and Flanagan. It has always been and will always be the top money college due to the industry connections. The increases also coincided with the dramatic increase overall as VT invested in the entire development enterprise. So in the end, was she a part of that success, absolutely. Was she solely responsible, no. She will have her work cut out for her as she will have zero help due to the PK culture and personality.
Comment by Tim C. — July 24, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
RU Insane brought this up on Newrivervoice.com about Kirk and any conflict of interest with his former company New River Pharmaceuticals. I had previously disclosed the fact Matt Crisp works for Kirk at Third Security...and they both hold foundation board seats. Now, the answer: The college has to file Tax Form 990 each year...and on page 5 and 6 of the 32 page tax form...the school is to list any board director or officer that has a business relationship with each other...(e.g. Kirk and Crisp) and the second question they ask is what "related business" relationship does any member(s) have to the school. Now, I haven't taken the time to read the definition of "related business" relationship but I suspect the Purchase of NewRiver Pharmaceuticals would be suspect for investigation!
Comment by Bill from Roanoke — July 25, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Where is the money coming from to pay this woman? Ask her why she left
VT. Ask VT if they would want her back. The word I hear is no way.
Comment by robert Lawrence — July 27, 2009 @ 6:26 pm