A LETTER FROM OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT ROSEANN RUNTE

September 13, 2002

Dear Members of the Old Dominion University Community,

Old Dominion's Board of Visitors evaluated my performance today and awarded me an increase in salary. I am extremely grateful to them for this recognition. It is always pleasant to be thanked for hard work. I also appreciate the fact that the Board recognized that my salary is significantly lower than that of other university presidents in Virginia.

I know that my achievements this year were attained thanks to the team effort of the entire faculty and staff. We worked together to complete Constant Hall and the Ted Constant Convocation Center. We all made Old Dominion's case for funding in recognition of the fact that we get 62 cents for every dollar received by UVA, Tech and VCU. We obtained funds for the new Engineering and Computational Science Building. We made sure Old Dominion's needs were recognized in the Bond referendum (n.b. do NOT forget to vote on Nov. 5).

We passed SACS and NCAA accreditation reviews with flying colors. We increased the size and quality of our student body. I consulted you and you participated in creating a vision statement, outlining priorities and a financial campaign. We increased research funding, obtaining significant federal grants and creating a position for a Vice-President, Research. We created new programs (including a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership, a B.F.A. in theatre (acting) and combined B.S. and M.BA. degrees).

We reached out to the alumni and the community at large and they responded with enthusiasm. We extended our international programming. We worked on retention and note with pride a significant increase in our graduation rate and an upgrade in our ranking to the third tier among national research extensive doctoral universities.

The list could continue at great length because we have made progress in nearly every sector.

I would like to recognize your efforts and, for this year, I am therefore asking that the salary adjustment ($25,000) granted me be placed instead in a special employee recognition fund. It will be for faculty and staff whose commitment and efforts are deemed extraordinary by a committee of peers. This is an insufficient tribute to your fine work but I hope you will find it symbolic of the true admiration and respect I have for all of you.

Old Dominion is a wonderful university and I am privileged to work here. It is a pleasure to share the Board's recognition of a job well done with you.

Sincerely Yours,
Roseann Runte
President