Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994 TAG: 9406090067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Short
Nine of the 11 board members attended and discussed four "major personnel matters," Rector Marion "Tommy" Jones said when the meeting adjourned. Asked if they involved faculty, staff or administrators, board member John A. Clayton said the discussions involved "a little bit of everything."
Political science Professor Sidney Pearson, one of three faculty members present, said as he left, "I have no information I can pass on at this time."
However, contacted at home afterward and asked whether the meeting involved a discussion of the possible misappropriation of funds, as has been rumored on campus, Pearson said, "That's pretty accurate." He would not elaborate.
Dr. George Smith of Shawsville, a member of the board, said, "I would imagine there will be some action on some of the things we discussed in the very near future."
Pearson and the two other faculty members at the meeting have been involved with so-called communications groups. The groups were set up between faculty and the board last fall in the wake of a faculty uproar over tenure being awarded to Charles Wood, a longtime aide to President Donald Dedmon.
Wood was granted tenure last year without having to go through the lengthy procedures outlined in the university's faculty-staff handbook.
Pearson was among those who led the tenure battle.
Staff writer Todd Jackson contributed to this story.
by CNB