By Austin Schmitt

For the first time in 11 years, one member of the Board of Trustees will not take his seat at the table.

Staff Trustee Russ Williams, who served as the staff representative since 1998, died on April 8.

Fellow Trustee Everett McCorvey said Williams will be on everybody’s mind during the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday.

“I think that we are all shocked and saddened by his passing and he will certainly be on our minds during this meeting,” McCorvey said in an e-mail to the Kernel. “Russ was a vibrant presence on the board and his energy, ideas and compassion will be missed.”The meeting will once again focus  on the current budget situation the university is in, McCorvey said.

“This is a really tough time for the university as we work to find solutions to the funding challenges,” McCorvey said. “How do we as a university continue to move forward in light of the budget restraints placed on us by the Legislature and the economic downturn? This is our challenge.”

Angie Martin, vice president for planning, budget and policy, will give a budget revision proposal at the meeting.

“With the appropriation from the legislature dwindling, we must find new ways to cut costs and produce revenue while still servicing the Commonwealth,” McCorvey said. “I hope, however, that the legislature will assist us again in realizing the goal which they placed in front of us of becoming a top-20 university. Reaching this goal will take significant support.”

The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday on the 18th floor of the Patterson Office Tower.