Wednesday, April 28, 2004
The school president also announced four new faculty positions.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Collaborations with other universities could bring more doctoral degree programs to Youngstown State University students, said YSU President David C. Sweet.
Such partnerships would mean that various universities in northeast Ohio would share resources to offer various advanced degrees across a larger geographic area.
"Not only would that benefit Youngstown State, but it would strengthen the programs because the strength of the faculty we have could contribute to those programs," Sweet said.
Sweet made the remarks Tuesday as part of a "Campus Conversation" event through which he wrapped up successes of the past academic year and detailed plans for the future.
Sweet referred to a pending report from Gov. Bob Taft's Commission on Higher Education and the Economy, which is due out later this week. He expects the report to include a recommendation for more inter-university relationships.
"One of the themes I'm wholeheartedly in support of is the effort to build further collaborations to improve our capabilities and reduce our costs," Sweet said.
The president made his comments to an auditorium full primarily of administrators, faculty and staff.
Funding
Among other items he mentioned was the $870,000 allocated for strategic initiative funding in YSU's fiscal year 2005 budget. Of that amount, $350,000 -- nearly 40 percent -- will go to academic affairs. Other funds will be devoted to development, administration, student affairs, technology and athletics.
Sweet said a highlight of funding goals are four new faculty positions in these areas: the school of technology, education, fine and performing arts and criminal justice.
Other goals include two new fund-raising positions, a focus on maintenance and grounds needs, and the enhancing of gender-equity scholarships in athletics, he added.