YOUNGSTOWN University committee recommends renewing Sweet pact for three years

The chairman of the trustees board credited Sweet with helping them achieve goals for the school.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University's president will stay for another three years if the board of trustees takes the advice of its executive committee.
Committee members Monday voted Monday to recommend that the full board renew Dr. David C. Sweet's contract for three years, beginning July 1.
Board Chairman Joseph Nohra said Sweet has helped trustees meet goals they have established.
"He's done an excellent job," Nohra said. "The numbers speak for themselves. He's increased enrollment.
"And he's doing a good job of getting us involved in partnerships that are good not only for the university but for the community as well."
The trustees will consider the recommendation at their quarterly meeting Dec. 18.
Sweet said he would reserve comment until he spoke with Nohra and until after the full board considers the contract renewal.
Enrollment rose by 3.7 percent between fall 2001 and fall 2002, and by 3.9 percent between fall terms 2000 and 2001. Sweet's target has been 5 percent increases.
What he's done
Sweet began his tenure at YSU in July 2000, saying he would focus on enrollment, diversity and partnerships.
Among the partnerships the university has joined are with the city of Youngstown, the Youngstown and Warren school districts, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Smoky Hollow neighbors and Wick Park neighbors. The university also has partnered with various community and business organizations.
Among diversity issues, Sweet hired Dr. Tony Atwater as YSU's first black provost, and new requirements at YSU include diversity courses.
His compensation
Sweet was hired at a salary of $185,000, with a $36,000 housing allowance and a $7,200 car allowance. Sweet's salary was raised by 3.7 percent, to $192,000, in September 2001. This September, his salary was increased by 6 percent to $203,520, and his housing allowance to $50,000.
The raise came as the portion of YSU's funding coming from state sources continued to dwindle -- with YSU losing $2.8 million in 2002-2003 state legislative funding and about $1.4 million in state student share-of-instruction funding.
As state funding dropped, tuition has risen three times in the past two years: 5.5 percent in spring 2002, 8 percent in fall 2002, and 5.1 percent in fall 2001.
Sweet is now recommending a 10 percent increase that would raise the in-state annual tuition rate to $5,496.
Financial report
Also Monday, the board's audit subcommittee reviewed a draft of the university's 2002 annual report, as well as a draft report from outside auditor Packer Thomas.
The report shows net assets of $155 million in June 2002, up from $149 million a year earlier. It also shows cash and cash equivalents down to $2.9 million, from $4.1 million in that time period.
The numbers earn the university an audit ranking of 3.5 out of 5, on a state scale measuring the university's capability to satisfy debt obligations, the university's financial strength and net income.
The score remains static from 2001 and is up from a 2.6 in 1998.
Packer Thomas has said the report fairly represents the university's financial position.