FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Fairmont State University Board of Governors has agreed to begin negotiations with president Mirta Martin for a new three year contract.
Currently, Martin’s contract pays her $270,000 annually.
About 75 students and community members attended the meeting with hopes the board would offer her a multi-year deal.
Fairmont mayor Brad Merrifield said.”All I know is my relationship with her and in our working environment with the university and the things I do everyday has been so positive and so good that I just want to continue that and she’s the right person to continue that with.”
Martin says reaccreditation is a priority.
Martin said,”Accreditation is a priority, that ensures our degree is worthy for our students so that they are able to progress.”
When Martin took over in 2018 the college was $2.8 million in debt, now the has a positive cash reserve of $1.9 million.
Student body vice president Dillon Bradley said,”My fifth year here, I just got my undergrad in National Security and Political Science and I’ll get my Master’s degree here. So, I’ve been here for five years, in that period of time I can see the changes that have happened and they’ve been drastic changes that had to happen for this institution to stay here.”