RADFORD -- Two Radford University administrators who had been laid off from their jobs in the Division of Student Affairs on September 14 have notified the university that they will return to their former positions.

Michael Dunn and Marc Jacobsen, director and assistant director, respectively, of the Office of New Student Programs (ONSP), have accepted the university’s offer to have them return to their former jobs. University officials have reassigned the ONSP from the Division of Student Affairs to the Division of Academic Affairs.

“We’re delighted to welcome Michael and Marc back to RU and look forward to the continuation of their widely respected contributions,” said Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle. “I think our entire university community is pleased to see this difficult situation resolved.”

Dunn and Jacobsen have indicated that they do not wish to discuss the matter with the media; however, they shared a written statement with the university regarding their reinstatement.

“Although the past two weeks have been extremely difficult for us, our families, our co-workers, and the university, we are hopeful that we and the New Student Programs staff will continue to make strong contributions to the students we serve and the university as a whole,” wrote Dunn and Jacobsen. “We look forward to reestablishing the many collaborative and cooperative working relationships with others on campus.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Norleen Pomerantz informed Dunn and Jacobsen during the morning of September 14 that their positions were being eliminated as part of university efforts to cope with an additional $6.41 million in budget cuts at Radford announced as part of Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s strategy to balance the state budget.

The action Pomerantz took, however, was inconsistent with plans that had been agreed upon by the University Cabinet following the Governor’s announcement. That plan included very structured information gathering, planning and action stages.

“Once we had gained a better understanding of how variables such as the timing and availability of federal stimulus funding and other matters that would affect our task, we were going to take an integrated, university-wide approach to managing our budget reversion,” said President Kyle, referring to plans shared with the university in written communications on September 8 and September 9.

Dunn and Jacobsen expressed appreciation to all who have supported them over the past two weeks.

“In our conversations with President Kyle and Provost Stanton, we were reassured that the actions taken against us and the manner they were implemented were inconsistent with the RU culture in which they believe,” wrote Dunn and Jacobsen.

President Kyle determined that because the lay-offs were not consistent with the university’s planning efforts and values, it was in the best interests of the university and everyone involved to offer to reinstate Dunn and Jacobsen.

“These two gentlemen have made important contributions to the university for a very long time in an area that is critical for our success,” agreed Radford University Provost Wil Stanton. “We value what they have done for Radford in the past, we look forward to having them back with us, and we’re excited about the synergies that will be created by this reorganization.”

Dunn and Jacobsen will continue to operate their highly successful program and report to Vice Provost for Enrollment Planning and Management Dr. Stephen Nape, who is responsible for admissions, recruitment, financial aid, the Registrar’s Office, and other areas.

“The skills and talents of the professionals in each of these areas will complement each other and will produce great opportunities for creative thinking, strategic problem solving, and synergistic partnerships,” said Nape.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with our faculty, staff and students to form a comprehensive enrollment management plan that will help RU achieve and exceed its enrollment goals,” he continued.