Sweet confirms his presidency of YSU will end in June 2010

He is calling for a team effort to address challenging economic conditions.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University President David C. Sweet has made it clear he intends to fulfill the terms of his current contract and end his tenure as president June 30, 2010.

In a memo to the campus community, Sweet said he had intended to announce his plans publicly this summer but recent events and news reports prompted him to make the announcement now.

The university’s board of trustees recently sent Sweet a letter saying it had no interest in renegotiating any terms of his current contract and that his job would end June 30, 2010.

The letter indicated Sweet had wanted to alter the contract to improve his pension position upon retirement, but the trustees refused.

There was no proposal from the president to extend the contract, said Scott R. Schulick, trustees chairman.

Sweet called for a united effort to continue to improve the university during his remaining time on the job.

“As we look to the future of the university and the year ahead, I am committed to working with everyone on campus as well as in the community to address the plans and priorities we have established. Our goals will be to continue to refine our mission as one of the state’s urban research universities and enhance our programs for all of our students,” Sweet said in the memo.

He said a team effort will be required to address the challenging economic conditions of the community, state and nation, including an uncertain state budget.

Sweet thanked the campus community “for your dedication in helping to achieve the major strides YSU has made.”

Dr. Sweet was named YSU’s sixth president in 2000, succeeding Dr. Leslie Cochran. Among his initiatives have been enrollment campaigns, construction of the university’s wellness and fitness center, leading a centennial capital campaign that has raised $49 million. The centerpiece of the campus master plan is construction of a new Williamson College of Business Administration.