YSU board should place welfare of students above administrative convenience

EDITOR:

At a recent meeting, the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees voted to amend the university policy concerning tuition refund. Instead of a graduated scale, it will now be all or nothing. After the 15th calendar day, no tuition will be refunded.

This is to “teach the students a lesson” that they must make a decision about the class early, so that other students can register for that class. This would make sense, except that the last day to add a class is eight days from the start of the semester. This measure does more harm than good for the students. Students get nothing past the 15th day, whereas under the current system they would receive 70 percent of their tuition for an additional week.

The real reason for this change is because the new Banner system cannot deal with the graduated refund system. Banner is an administrative software module that YSU is using to improve the university’s administrative computing capabilities in the core systems of finance, advancement, financial aid and human resources/payroll. Despite flaws within the system, university’s President Dr. David Sweet and his administration are forcing it forward. Rather than fix the problem, the administration and board would rather ignore what is best for the students in favor of what is best or easier for them. The board is out of touch with the students whom they are supposedly serving. When the two student trustees voiced their opposition to this and are subsequently ignored, it is hard to see how the board can say that they are truly looking after student’s interests.

This change in policy doubly penalizes students who drop a class past their cutoff. Not only are the students missing out on their education, but the funds have been taken from them. This, like other things happening on this campus, occurs quickly and quietly, without input from students. By the time we find out about it, there is nothing the students can do but complain. Then, we get the reputation that all that students do is complain. When we have no true voice or representation in the process, what other options are there for us to pursue?

Maybe it is time that this university starts looking at what is truly best for the students. Perhaps the board of trustees can cease rubber-stamping everything that this administration puts in front of them. “Student-centered” should be more than a slogan or an obscure goal. It should be the focus and paramount purpose for this university’s existence.

But then again, what do I know? I couldn’t possibly understand. I’m only a student.

RAMON RAMOS

Youngstown

X The writer is chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Student Government Association at Youngstown State University.