YSU Board of Trustees Summary, March 3 and 4, 2021

Recruitment efforts for online degrees, academic program review, workforce development initiatives and diversity in the faculty ranks were among topics addressed at YSU Board of Trustees meetings Wednesday and Thursday, March 3 and 4. The board also approved contract extensions for President Jim Tressel and Provost Brien Smith. For the full resolutions, and other background materials, visit the Board of Trustees website. Here’s a summary.

President’s Report

President Jim Tressel said the past 12 months have been unlike any YSU has ever experienced. He said he “continues to marvel at the great work” of faculty, staff, administration, the Board of Trustees, IT staff, students and everyone in the face of tremendous pandemic challenges. He acknowledged ongoing support from federal and state government officials, including Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Chancellor Randy Gardner, as well as local, county and state health departments. “We need 8 more weeks of vigilance…(to) finish this semester strong, and then perhaps we can look forward to a little different future,” the president said. He said the Excellence Training Center is nearing completion, and that Fifth Avenue improvements, the $124 million “We See Tomorrow” campaign and the Take Charge of Our Future strategic plan are also all progressing nicely. He also announced that YSU is tentatively planning an in-person Spring commencement ceremony in Stambaugh Stadium. He also acknowledged the new leadership structure in Student Affairs and said he is looking forward to the continued great work of Provost Brien Smith, whose contract was extended to 2025. “It’s been a challenge the last 12 months, but now there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Presentations

Faculty
Amy Laurel Fluker, the Robert W. Reeder I Memorial Endowed Professor of History, talked about her research that focuses on Civil War memory. Fluker explained that her focus is not on the war itself, but the way the war has been remembered and its ongoing influence on society and politics. Her latest project is completion of the book, Haunted by the Memory: Ghost Stories of the American Civil War, in which she examines how ghost stories help us better understand the ways people dealt with the trauma of the war. Fluker said  she is teaching a related graduate course this semester titled, “Readings in American History Memory, Folklore and the Supernatural.”

Students
Kara Bischoff, a YSU Chemical Engineering major, recipient of YSU’s Intern of the Year Award and member of the YSU Honors College and Society of Women Engineers, shared with the board her experience as an intern GM and LG Chem in Michigan. In the internship, Bischoff examined how to reduce active material waste by designing a more cost efficient method to recycle as much active material as possible. She said she developed a system projected to cut costs by 40 percent, or $60,000 to $100,000 a year. Bischoff said she has accepted a position with the GM/LG Chem joint venture in Lordstown.

Gracey White and Michaela Magnifico, Nursing students, talked with the board about a COVID-19 testing drive-through simulation that junior Nursing students held last Fall. The two-day simulation in the parking lot near the tennis courts on campus included seven stations. Senior Nursing students acted as patients.

Academic Excellence and Student Success

Actions

• Approved a resolution to Modify Honorary Degrees and Commencement Speakers Policy. The policy was modified to enumerate the six honorary degrees that are usually awarded to individuals earning an honorary degree at YSU: Bus. D. (doctor of business); LL.D (doctor of laws); LH.D (doctor of humane letters); Sc.D. (doctor of science); Lett.D. (doctor of letters); and Mus.D. (doctor of music). 
• Approved a resolution to Modify Intellectual Property Rights Policy. Modifications were made to reflect language that was negotiated in the 2020-2023 Agreement between YSU and the YSU Chapter of the Ohio Education Association. Other modifications include corrections to the title of the current responsible division/office.
• Approved a resolution to Authorize Conferral of Honorary Degree upon YSU graduate Harold Danko, a distinguished pianist, composer and band leader. Danko’s resume includes collaborations with legendary jazz artists at prestigious jazz venues throughout the world as well as in recordings, television and video. He holds professor emeritus status at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he chaired the Jazz Studies program for 11 years.

Reports 
Jennifer Pintar, associate provost for Academic Administration, updated the board on the university’s activities with Academic Partnerships to expand marketing to and recruitment of students for online academic programs and degrees. The first AP-led program at YSU, the RN-BSN program, launched in October 2019 with 36 students. So far, 637 students have enrolled in AP-led programs at YSU, which Pintar said is “dramatically more than what we expected.” Neal McNally, vice president for Finance and Administration, said the increased enrollment has resulted in $1.8 million revenue.

Claire Berardini, associate provost for Student Success, updated trustees on the university’s Student Success Initiative. The initiative includes the introduction this past fall of the YSU Success Seminar, a course for new freshmen aimed at helping increase GPAs and first-year retention. “The early outcomes are certainly promising,” she said. For example, students in the Success Seminar were retained at a much higher rate (86.4 percent vs 76.3 percent) than those who did not complete the Seminar. Berardini also reported significant impact for African American freshmen - 86.3 percent in the Seminar were retained compared to 42.9 percent not in the Seminar.

Brien Smith, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and Mike Sherman, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness/Board Professional, updated the board on the ongoing Academic Program Enhancement and Effectiveness Initiative. The initiative, which involves faculty, department chairs and deans across the university, is a review of all academic programs with the goal to identify which programs to grow, sustain, adjust or sunset. The provost will have final recommendations in June. He said his preliminary findings identify 22 programs to grow, 47 to sustain, 14 to adjust, 17 to further review and 25 to further discuss. Twenty-eight proposed new programs are also under review. Sherman said “the goal is to determine what is the best academic portfolio for YSU for a sustainable future.” Smith added, “This is not about targeting things that are not working; it’s about getting better.” 

Provost Smith reported on Equity and Inclusion, the Institute for Teaching and Learning, and Professional Development Strategy. He recognized Carol Bennett, assistant provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Hillary Fuhrman, assistant provost for Teaching and Learning; and Rosalyn Donaldson, director of IT Training Services. Each made brief remarks regarding their missions and activities and how they integrate with each other. “The leadership of these three individuals cannot be overstated,” Smith said.

Chet Cooper, chair of the YSU Academic Senate, updated the board on activities of the Academic Senate. He invited trustees to tune in to the Senate’s new podcast, which most recently featured a discussion with Provost Smith. He also reported that the Senate recently developed a common syllabus and extended the credit-no credit option for the Summer Semester. At the board’s meetings in December, Cooper announced that he and the provost were reconvening the Excellence Steering Committee to reevaluate shared governance on campus. Cooper said the committee has met and determined that more effective and broad communication and trust is needed to improve shared governance.

Background Materials
The agenda also included the Office of Research Services Quarterly Report, a report on Current Accreditation Activity, updates on Academic Programs, a list of approved Sabbatical and Faculty Improvement Leaves, the names of faculty approved for Research Professorships, and an Enrollment Summary for Spring Semester 2021.
 

Institutional Engagement

Actions

• Approved a resolution to accept 835 memberships, for a total of $225,058, to WYSU for July 1 through Dec. 30, 2020, and 869 members/$124,489 for fiscal year 2020.

Reports
Jennifer Oddo, executive director of Strategic Workforce Education and Innovation, and David Sipusic, associate general counsel for Research and executive director of the Excellence Training Center, updated the board on their work. Oddo oversees the new YSU Center for Workforce Education and Innovation, which includes the Excellence Training Center, the IT Workforce Accelerator (in partnership with IBM), Energy Storage and Innovation Training Center and General Business support. 

Sipusic reported on the 54,000-square-foot Excellence Training Center, now under construction on the south end of campus. “An amazing structure that brings hope and promise” is how he described the facility. ETC will provide high-tech space for machining, metrology, CT scanning, advanced mold making, additive manufacturing and automation/robotics. Construction is funded through $7 million from the state and $5.1 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, with $1 million in operational funding from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. “Now we have to deliver the results,” President Jim Tressel added.

Sipusic also reported on several government relations and research activities at YSU, including work with Oak Ridge National Labs to designate YSU as a hybrid manufacturing spoke, Lordstown Motors Co./Ultium/LG Chem on workforce training and research, Drive Ohio to establish a state autonomous vehicle conference in Youngstown, IBM to develop IT apprenticeship programs, and many others.

Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation, and Heather Chunn, vice president, reported on second quarter fiscal year 2021 fundraising: 2,123 outright gifts and 57 pledges totaling $5.1 million, pledge payments totaling $3.37 million and four new planned gift commitments totaling $944,794. Chunn also reported that the $125 million “We See Tomorrow” campaign now stands at $116 million and 31,315 gifts, including 37 gifts of $1 million or more and 43 gifts of $100,000 or more from out-of-town donors. McFadden also reported on three namings: the Samuel A. and Judy B. Roth Reception Area in the Excellence Training Center ($500,000); the Jim and Melissa DiBacco Family Leadership Center in Stambaugh Stadium ($300,000); and the James and Coralie Centofanti School of Nursing in the Bitonte College ($1.5 million). He also reported on the new President James P. Tressel Endowed Chair in Leadership, established via a $1.6 million gift from nine members of the YSU Foundation Board of Trustees. McFadden said plans are in place to also create the James P. Tressel Institute of Leadership and Teamwork.

Trustee Molly Seals reminded the committee about the virtual Spring Commencement ceremony in May. That prompted a discussion about plans for the event. Shannon Tirone, associate vice president for University Relations, said that changes in state COVID-19 guidelines now make it possible for YSU and other universities to consider in-person commencement ceremonies. As a result, YSU’s preliminary plan now is to hold commencement on Saturday, May 8 at Stambaugh Stadium. More details to come.

Background Materials
The agenda also included a list of Alumni and Events’ Significant Upcoming Events, information on COVID-19 campus safety kit distribution, and naming recognitions for gifts to the YSU Foundation.
 

Finance and Facilities

Actions

• Approved resolution to modify Reduction/Refund of Tuition and Fees Policy. The policy was reviewed pursuant to the university’s five-year review cycle; minor modifications.
• Approved a resolution to Modify University Facilities – Use, Priorities and Fees Policy. The policy was reviewed pursuant to the university’s five-year review cycle; minor modifications.
• Approved a resolution to Modify Acquisition of Real Estate Policy. The policy was reviewed pursuant to the university’s five-year review cycle; minor modifications.
• Approved a resolution to Modify Identity Theft Red Flags Policy. The policy was reviewed pursuant to the university’s five-year review cycle; minor modifications were made. The policy establishes an identity theft prevent program designed to detect, prevent and mitigate identity theft in connection with the opening of a covered account or existing covered account within the university. 
• Approved a resolution to Approve Changes to Student Fees. The resolution establishes a new $4 per credit hours Technology Software Fee for student’s in the online master’s of Family Nurse Practitioner program, and reduces the rate for the online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing by $980 to $8,820 for in-state students and $8,960 for out-of-state students.
• Approved Interfund Transfers, including $208,378 from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to Housing Services, the General Fund and Parking Services for loss of revenue due to COVID-19, and $480,106 from CARES Act funding to Housing Services and the General Fund for loss of revenue in January due to COVID-19. 

Reports
Neal McNally, vice president for Finance and Business Operations, updated the fiscal year 2021 operating budget, including a budget-to-actual report showing that all revenue and expenditure indicators on or above target through the second quarter. He also reported that Gov. DeWine recently announced a return to pre-COVID-19 levels of state funding, resulting in $3.5 million more in state dollars for YSU. “This is very good news,” he said, noting that the university will use $2 million to fill 20 to 25 faculty positions for next Fall Semester. McNally said federal COVID-19 relief funds have also had a positive impact on the university’s budget, and will continue to do so. He said an estimated $17 million in additional federal COVID-19 funds is expected to be allocated to YSU,  $5 million of which will go to student financial aid. The administration will ask the campus to submit proposals and ideas on projects for the funding. But he cautioned: “We really can’t stress enough the temporary nature of these funds” and that they are one-time investments.

McNally also reported on the plan to refund existing debt obligations related to Series 2010 and 2011 bonds totaling $33 million (WATTS Center, athletics fields west of Fifth Avenue, Courtyard Apartments). He said that, due to good interest rates in the municipal bond market, the action could save an estimated $6.7 million through 2034, when the debt is scheduled to retire. 

John Hyden, associate vice president of Facilities, and Rich White, director of Planning and Construction, updated the board on ongoing construction projects on campus, including the Excellence Training Center (completion April 2021) and Fedor Hall renovations (complete June 2021). They also reported on projects in development, including renovations to the Edmund J. Salata Complex, Cushwa Hall (Physical Therapy), Parking Decks and Ward Beecher Hall. Projects in development for 2022 include building envelope renovations, utility distribution upgrades/expansions, Moser Hall renovations, elevator safety repairs and replacements, IT infrastructure upgrades and renovations to the Lincoln Building.

Background Materials
The agenda also included a report on budget and interfund transfers and the Diversity and EDGE Spend Report.
 

Investment

Reports
Neal McNally, vice president for Finance and Business Operations, reminded trustees that university policy requires them to disclose relationships, beyond the ordinary customer relationships, with financial institutions involved with the university’s non-endowed and endowment funds. Completed statements are due June 30, 2021.

Sarah Parker and John Colla of Clearstead presented the quarterly portfolio asset allocation and investment performance review. Parker said they feel “cautiously optimistic” about the market moving forward. Colla said they have no recommended changes to the university’s portfolio. Parker also reported on the growth of socially-responsible investing, with $12 trillion invested in responsible investing strategies in 2018 alone. She said they have no recommendations for YSU, but “we just wanted to let you know that we’re being asked about this much more by our clients.”

Audit

Reports
Kelli Miller, director of Internal Audit, presented a matrix that tracks the progress of the implementation of recommendations for improvement or correction made by internal and external auditors. Miller also updated the board on the fiscal year 2021 Second Quarter Internal Audit Plan, the Enterprise Risk Management initiative and the YSU Anonymous Reporting Hotline, which has received 11 anonymous reports thus far this fiscal year.

McNally presented the board the Single Audit Report for fiscal years 2020 and 2019. 

Background materials
The agenda also included the annual audited report on financial information for WYSU-FM.

University Affairs

Actions

• Approved a resolution to Ratify Personnel Actions in Intercollegiate Athletics, including one appointment, two separations and one reclassification/position adjustment.
• Approved a resolution to Modify and Retitle Externally Funded Professional/Administrative Staff Policy. The policy was reviewed pursuant to the university’s five-year review cycle.
• Approved a resolution to Modify and Retitle Acting/Interim Appointments of University Administrators Policy. The policy was reviewed pursuant to the university’s five-year review cycle.
• Approved a resolution to Modify and Retitle Public Use of University Grounds for Expressive Activity. The policy was modified to comply with the state’s new Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act, effective March 24, 2021, which governs free speech on campuses in Ohio. The title of the policy has been changed to “Campus Free Speech” to align with the act.
• Approved a resolution to Approve the Reclassifications of Joy Polkabla-Byers, Elaine Ruse and Nicole Kent-Strollo. President Tressel reported that, with the departure of Vice President Eddie Howard, the Division of Student Affairs has been realigned into three units: The Office of Student Experience (Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, Campus Recreation and Student Well-being, Veterans Affairs, and Auxiliary Services (Kilcawley Center)), the Office of Student Enrollment and Business Services (Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid and Scholarships) and the new Office of the Dean of Students (Student Outreach and Support, Student Counseling Services, and Community Standards, Advocacy and Conduct). In turn, the duties and responsibilities of the Vice President for Student Experience have been expanded into three separate positions: Associate VP for Student Experience (Polkabla-Byers), Associate VP for Student Enrollment and Business Services (Ruse) and Dean of Students and Ombudsperson (Kent-Strollo). 
• Approved a resolution to Ratify Personnel Actions, including 11 appointments (five new positions and six replacement positions), nine separations, two reclassificiations/position adjustments, two promotions, six salary adjustments, 69 faculty rank minimum adjustments (as per the faculty union’s new contract) and one transfer.
• Approved a resolution to extend the contract of Brien N. Smith, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, to 2025. Smith came to YSU in 2019 from Indiana State University, where he was dean of the Scott College of Business for seven years. He previously spent 23 years at Ball State University in Indiana in a variety of academic leadership capacities.

Reports
Ron Strollo, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics, reviewed several 10-year “snap shot” reports regarding Intercollegiate Athletics, including enrollment, housing, GPAs, graduation rates, attendance, wins, scholarships, revenue, institutional funding and Title IX.

Ann Gardner, assistant director in the Office of the General Counsel, updated the board on the Workforce Diversity Committee, formed in Fall 2020 to increase diversity in the faculty ranks. The committee’s preliminary report, titled “Strategies to Increase Faculty Diversity at YSU,” shows that while 16 percent of the Mahoning Valley population is Black and 6.5 percent is Hispanic/Latinx, only 7 percent of YSU’s faculty is Black and only 1 percent is Hispanic/Latinx. There are no Black or Hispanic/Latinx department chairs or deans. On the other hand, Black students make up nearly 9 percent of the student body, and Hispanic/Latinx students about 4.5 percent. The 20-page report includes four recommendations: increased outreach, networking and advertising of all open faculty positions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, professional organizations (i.e. Society of Black Engineers), Black and Hispanic/Latinx alumni; implementation of a Search Advocacy Program to promote equity, validity and diversity in faculty searches; new hiring practices for part-time faculty that include designated search committees and applicant interviews to include questions on their commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion; and new measures to increase the diversity of instructors in the Peace Officer Training Academy.

Mark Weir, director of Equal Opportunity and Policy Compliance, presented the YSU Affirmative Action Plan 2020 Annual Report. The report showed that 277 of the university’s 2,073 employees, or 13 percent, are minority/people of color. Among other things, the AAP calls for increasing the number of minority chairs or directors from four currently to 15, and to increase minorities in faculty positions to about 25 percent, Weir said. Trustee Eric Spiegel said he was alarmed by the low minority representation, especially in the faculty ranks.

Background Materials 
The agenda also included update on HR activities related to employee benefits, talent acquisition, employee records, organizational development, equal opportunity, Title IX, labor relations and unfair labor practices/grievances/arbitrations. Background materials also included a list of current job postings (122 for part-time faculty positions), a summary of all personnel actions approved by the YSU Chief Human Resources Officer serving as the appointing authority for classified staff, and a report on search waivers. Finally, also included in background materials is a preliminary report from the Workforce Diversity Committee titled “Strategies to Increase Faculty Diversity at YSU,” a summary of faculty demographics and an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education titled “How to Do a Better Job of Searching for Diversity.”

Governance

Reports
Mike Sherman, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness/Board Professional, updated the board on the YSU Future State Conversations. The second in the series of campus conversations took place virtually on Feb. 19, with a third scheduled for April 23. 

Shannon Tirone, associate vice president for University Relations, and Ross Morrone, director of Marketing, outlined a plan with several colleges and departments on campus to improve marketing and communications to prospective and admitted students. “The goal is enrollment, but the real goal is engagement,” Tirone said. 

Elaine Ruse, associate vice president for Admissions and Business Services, reported on various enrollment initiatives in place for Fall Semester 2021, including virtual and in-person campus visits and tours, outreach calls/emails/texts/mailings, virtual visits to high school/college fairs/school counselor groups, as well as various YSU-led events like Penguin Preview Days, School Counselor Day and Experience Y Days. 

The committee nominated the following Board of Trustees officers for 2021-22:

• Chair – John R. Jakubek
• Vice chair – Charles T. George
• Secretary – Molly S. Seals

The committee also nominated Eric Spiegel to serve a second, three-year term as a National/Global Trustee.

Executive

Actions

• Approved a resolution to approve the Fourth Presidential Employment Agreement Extension and Third Amendment with YSU President James P. Tressel. Tressel was named YSU’s ninth president in 2014, agreeing to a three-year contract and then one-year extensions through June 2021. The latest extension says that, starting July 1, 2021, Tressel’s contract as president will continue until terminated by either party with 180 days prior written notice. “Thank you for your confidence,” Tressel said. “We look forward to working hard with Provost Smith and everyone on campus.”

Reports
Chair Anita Hackstedde announced that Ron Cole, director of University Communications/Public Information Officer, will add the title of Assistant to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

Memorials

President Tressel recognized the following passings:
•    William R. McGraw, first dean of the YSU College of Fine and Performing Arts, 1975-1985, passed Dec. 9, 2020.
•    John J. Young, father of John Young, executive director, Kilcawley Center, passed Jan. 3, 2021.
•    Wealthie B. Prince, alum and employee in the Registrar’s office for nearly 50 years. Passed, Jan. 10, 2021.
•    John F. Ritter, retired professor of Civil Engineering, passed Jan. 13, 2021.
•    Corey Michaliszyn, spouse of Sara Michaliszyn, acting chair of Health Professions, passed Jan. 29, 2021.
•    Richard Burden, taught at YSU for 36 years, co-founded the Computer Science program, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, spouse of retired Professor Annette Burden, passed Feb. 1, 2021.
•    Mary Lou Hendrickson Cole, mother of Ron Cole, director of University Communications, passed Feb. 5, 2021.
•    Darius Shackleford, student and member of Penguin Football program from 2015 to 2020, passed Feb. 6, 2021.
•    Alice Stavich Klempay, university donor, Stavich Family Bridge over Wick Avenue, passed Feb. 13, 2021.
•    Michael Hanni, coordinator for Student Conduct and Cafaro House coordinator, passed Feb. 16, 2021.
•    Johnny McElroy, record-setting YSU Hall of Fame basketball player, best known for scoring 72 points in a game in February 1969. He is the father of Ursel J. McElroy, director of the Ohio Department of Aging.

Board Chair’s Remarks

Chair Hackstedde acknowledged the contract extensions for and the “tremendous work” of President Tressel and Provost Smith to keep the university moving forward in the face of the unique challenges of the past year. “We are happy to have the leaders of our executive team securely in place to continue their great work in service of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and the greater Mahoning and Shenango valley communities,” she added.

Upcoming Regular Meetings of the Board

• 10 a.m., Thursday, June 3, 2021
• 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021
• 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021

Adjournment