ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180113
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
THERE'S BEEN NO foot-dragging, according to President Douglas Covington and Jim Stutts, rector of Radford's board.
It's been three months since the weeks-long brouhaha over Radford University President Douglas Covington's first annual job evaluation died down, but embers apparently still flicker.
The Rev. Ronald Watson wants to know why Covington doesn't have a contract yet, as had been agreed after the evaluation was released in November. Last fall, Watson, who heads a group calling itself Concerned Citizens for Covington, called for a three- to four-year contract for the 61-year-old Covington.
"They've had more than ample enough time to study the evaluation," Watson said during a break in a regular meeting of the board. He attended the meeting to find out about the contract's status and said his group was ready to act on the issue.
However, that may not be necessary. Work on a contract, never before held by a Radford president, apparently has been moving along.
Both Covington and Jim Stutts, rector of Radford's board, said efforts to compose a contract have been under way.
The full board took its first look at two "multiyear" draft contract proposals during a closed session on Monday, Stutts said. A contract is likely to be signed by April. Covington gets another 30 days to review the proposal, then passes it back to the board for 30 more days of review, Stutts said.
"There's been no foot-dragging on this," Stutts said.
Covington agreed.
"Well, naturally I will feel much better once that matter is handled and a contract is worked out. However, I do believe the board is acting affirmatively and responsibly - and, actually, the contract is something we both want to deliberate on," Covington said.
Out of the much-publicized evaluation of Covington, performed by former Towson University president James Fisher of Annapolis, Md., came other recommendations for university policy. Included is a revision of the board's bylaws. The evaluation never was made public.
"I don't feel that anyone has procrastinated on this," said Covington. "There are a number of policy-related matters and contract matters the board is trying to work out."
In a telephone interview, Fisher said he could understand the perception of foot-dragging.
"My impression is the relationship is an amicable one; both parties are working toward a solution that is mutually acceptable," Fisher said.
He pointed out that "contracts are not simple objects [that] include so many variations." Issues to be considered range from the number of years a president may serve to the primary authority of the board.
Covington also said the consultant needed time to compile a report and propose the board's bylaws after the evaluation was released. He was not contacted about his contract until after Christmas.
All of these documents "require some scrutiny as well as legal guidance," he said.
The full board agreed Monday that its executive committee - comprised of members of its subcommittees - is authorized to approve the final contract. Those members include Stutts, Frank Armstrong of Winchester, Randal Duncan of Radford, Gregory Goad of Hillsville, and Ellen Nau of Richmond.
A State Council for Higher Education official has said a majority of the state's college presidents have contracts.
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