Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 19, 1991 TAG: 9102190247
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG HIGHER EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"It's really quite an accomplishment," said University President James McComas. "I think it's the best possible academic and athletic fit we could get. The institutions have a good reputation."
A smiling David Braine, Tech's athletic director, told the board, "We had to get started someplace . . . We're in on the ground floor, and we're happy to be a part of it."
The board's vote was a stamp on an idea that had been approved by university brass in recent weeks.
Tech will join Syracuse, Miami, Pittsburgh, Boston College, West Virginia, Temple and Rutgers in the infant league.
Later in the meeting, the board passed a resolution recognizing Braine for his "innovative direction and strong leadership to the athletic program."
In other business, the board approved a new Faculty Senate constitution that will increase the number of members from 40 to 51.
The constitution also extends membership to faculty in the extension division.
In discussions before and after the meeting, board and staff members talked among themselves about the ongoing problems caused by a decreasing state budget.
During the meeting, they heard an update on the General Assembly's budget discussion.
An early-retirement plan has been seen by some as an answer to the budget crunch, allowing faculty and staff to retire at 50 years of age with 25 years of service.
"Across the commonwealth, there are about 4,600 employees who would fall into this category," said Minnis Ridenour, Tech's executive vice president and chief business officer. "In the university, there are about 305 people eligible."
The bill likely would not allow the university to fill more than 50 percent of those positions, he said.
Most of the faculty members eligible for early retirement come from three colleges: Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering and Arts and Sciences, McComas said. "If we're not permitted to refill those positions, this could create a deep problem for us."
by CNB