Panel to recommend reaccreditation for YSU

A proposal to offer a new doctorate in physical
therapy also won approval.

YOUNGSTOWN — It was only a verbal recommendation, but the Higher Learning Commission’s site visitation committee has said it will propose that Youngstown State University receive a full 10-year reaccreditation renewal from the full commission.

The team was on campus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week meeting with various campus constituencies. It said the university has met all five reaccreditation criteria of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, according to Dr. David C. Sweet, YSU president, in a memorandum to campus faculty and staff.

The visitation team is expected to put its recommendation into writing and present it to the full commission for approval, perhaps as soon as June.

Sweet said the team indicated it will also recommend approval of YSU’s request to offer a doctor of physical therapy degree as well as a request to expand the university’s online courses and degree programs.

The university won praise for its growth in enrollment and diversity, the loyalty and commitment of faculty and staff, the success of its Center for Student Progress and its commitment to partnerships with the community, Sweet said.

The team also noted that the university needs to address low employee morale, deferred building maintenance, lack of transparency in the budget process, compliance with general education requirements and getting the faculty to use data-driven assessments of student learning outcomes, Sweet said.