YSU's enrollment increase gives institution a boost

With 13,009 students on the rolls at the start of the academic year Monday, Youngstown State University is back on track toward the 14,000 enrollment target that President David Sweet has set to coincide with the institution's 100th anniversary in 2008.
We say back on track because last year's strike by classified employees and faculty just before the start of the 2005 academic year caused an enrollment dip from the previous year -- 13,101 in the fall of 2004 to 12,812 in the fall of 2005.
But this year, school opened with labor peace, and after an aggressive campaign over the summer to boost the student numbers.
When the official enrollment figure is announced on the 14th day of the semester, YSU could well boast a number higher than the one recorded in 2004. That certainly would be good news for the university, not only in terms of clearing the financial hurdles that every public institution of higher learning in Ohio faces, but for what the future may hold.
Challenge
And it is the future that poses the greatest challenge because colleges and universities in Ohio are in a state of flux. Funding from the General Assembly has been stagnant at best, forcing institutions to increase tuition. Such increases make them less competitive than those in other states.
In addition, there are legislators who have been demanding a streamlining of higher education by eliminating what they view as the duplication of degree offerings. Thus, each university and college must be able to show it meets a specific need and that without it a significant number of Ohioans would not have the chance for a degree. There is a correlation between level of education and earning power.
This year's enrollment number can be attributed to the Valley Summer Campaign launched in July to market YSU. Television, billboard, newspaper and radio advertisements were designed to reach prospective students and their parents. The message, as conceived by Dr. Thomas Maraffa, special assistant to the president and coordinator of the university's enrollment management plan, and his staff, was simple but effective: "Your Success is Our Story." Specific graduates of YSU were featured.
There also were spots that urged parents and guardians to have their children consider YSU for their higher education, and ads aimed at adults interested in going back to college.
As we noted in an editorial recently that hailed the peaceful start of the semester, Youngstown State is in an ideal position to gain from the large number of Delphi Packard Electric and General Motors workers who are taking buyouts. A goodly number will be looking for employment opportunities, and they undoubtedly will need academic refreshers.
Sweet's priority
Since the day he arrived on campus in 2000, Dr. Sweet has make enrollment a priority. In his first year, there were 11,787 students; the figure has climbed steadily during his tenure. Despite last year's dip, the administration, with the support of the university community and the board of trustees, has shown that YSU is marketable.
On Sept. 9, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will hold a Fall YSU Preview for prospective students and guests starting at 11 a.m. in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center.
This is an opportunity to get to know Youngstown State University up close and personal.