YOUNGSTOWN On a high note, YSU guitar program will remain

By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Their numbers may have been few, but their voices were loud enough to make Youngstown State University administrators take another look.
The result: a second chance for the guitar program at YSU's Dana School of Music.
In the spring, the guitar students learned that the temporary contract of instructor Jim Boyce was nonrenewable for another year.
Dr. George McCloud, dean of fine and performing arts, said that meant the position had to be changed to part time or to a full-time, permanent tenure-track position.
Budget cuts
With only about 15 majors and the university fearing state budget cuts, McCloud said he faced "difficult decisions."
"Jim has done a great job, that's something I want to stress," McCloud said. This was never about Jim, because he's a very talented guy."
With Provost Tony Atwater, McCloud decided to conduct a viability review of the program. And the results were positive.
"This is such a strong program, such a high-quality program, that we decided to make an exception here," McCloud said.
Term appointment
The exception made is that Boyce receives a term appointment, renewable year by year.
In this case, McCloud said, it will be good only for the coming academic year, after which the guitar program will again face review. If the findings show strong student need, a permanent position will be established.
At that point, a national search would be conducted to fill the position and Boyce could apply, the dean said.
In the spring, students expressed concern over possible loss of the program, fearing it would harm chances of getting into graduate schools and pursuing other goals. Some said they came to YSU because of Boyce.