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Sweet: YSU faces new challenges
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SWEET SPEECH: Youngstown State University President David Sweets delivers his final “State of the University” speech to an audience comprised of faculty, staff and students Monday. Sweet, who has been in the position for the past 10 years, will retire at the end of the academic year in June 2010.
YOUNGSTOWN — Growing enrollment, Centers of Excellence development and new buildings are key Youngstown State University accomplishments over the last 10 years, but there are new challenges to be met in the next decade, said President David C. Sweet.
Sweet, who is retiring at the end of this school year in June 2010, gave his 10th and final “State of the University” address Monday in Kilcawley Center, calling on the campus community to meet the challenges ahead.
He told an audience of administrators, faculty and staff that he expects the university to have at least five more doctoral programs (it has two now), including the Materials Science and Engineering program now under development; Centers of Excellence that have matured into national and international prominence; and a new home for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by 2018.
“There will also be a renovated Kilcawley Center, a restored Wick Pollock Inn, and YSU will become “a destination university for students from the Tech Belt between Cleveland and Pittsburgh and beyond,” Sweet predicted.
Further, the campus will be fully integrated with the surrounding neighborhood through student housing, retail, services, recreation spaces and the revitalization of Smoky Hollow, he said.
A major challenge will be transforming YSU into an urban research university as designated under Ohio’s 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education, Sweet said.
“This is not the time to be timid. The decade ahead provides an opportunity to complete the transformation that we are now engaged in of becoming an urban research university and in so doing better serving our students, our city, our region and state,” he said.
There are many in the YSU community who have played pivotal roles over the last decade in making YSU stronger academically and better prepared to meet the needs of its students, Sweet said.
As a result, the university is bigger and better; more diverse in terms of students, faculty and staff; more efficient in operations; financially stronger; and safer, he said.
There are some immediate challenges and opportunities that have potential enrollment implications, he said, referring to the opening of Eastern Gateway Community College and the Youngstown Early College partnership with the Youngstown city schools.
YSU must be assured that it is actively participating as a major partner in the community college development and must see that the successful YEC program continues to function, he said.
During this year, the campus and neighborhood transformation will continue with the development of a project plan for a new building for the STEM college, the finalization and financing of plans for the Wick Pollock Inn restoration and the purchase of blighted properties to be converted into desirable uses, he said.
The university is launching a fundraising effort this month to establish a Campus Beautification Endowment fund to help sustain the campus landscape, Sweet said.
“My personal thanks to each and every one of you for your great work during the past decade, and Pat (his wife) and I look forward to following your progress in the decade ahead,” Sweet said.
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Campus voices || Comments on David C. Sweet’s decade at the helm of Youngstown State University:
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th:
“He will be remembered for taking this university and making it a regional and statewide university. I think Dr. Sweet has raised the expectation level for our community, for our city, for our university, and I appreciate that.”
Chet Cooper, Academic Senate chairman and 10-year campus veteran:
Campus relations: “The atmosphere on campus has changed dramatically over 10 years, particularly the last several years. Morale has gotten far more positive. There’s more listening going on.”
Diversity: “Diversity has markedly increased on campus. All the signs are positive that we have become more and more diverse. I think this is a great benefit, not just to the university community, but I think it plays a big role in helping all of us understand what goes on beyond the walls of Youngstown.”
Scott Schulick, chairman of the university trustees, former student and former student trustee:
Campus relations: “A college is a dynamic place, so it’s constantly evolving. That’s what makes it so unique.”
Labor relations: “I’d like to believe we’ve turned some corners. In the university’s history, we’ve generally had a good relationship with all of our employees. While we’ve had some differences over the last few years, I see that as a blip in the road, and hopefully, over the long haul, we’ll look back and say we had a wonderful relationship with our employees over the years.
Robert Hogue, associate professor, faculty union spokesman and 22-year campus veteran:
Campus changes: “Quite a few changes, and Dr. Sweet has been through a lot of them. Our enrollment is up, we have new buildings on campus, we have a number of new programs.”
Sweet presidency: “I think, overall, it’s been a time of effective communication, collaboration. I don’t think anyone can be president of an institution for 10 years and not encounter some controversy. I think, in particular, the past probably four or five years have been very, very, collaborative, very positive. I sense a different atmosphere. I see a lot more collaborative problem solving going on.”
Brian Brennan, library media technical assistant, president of the Association of Classified Employees union and 24-year campus veteran:
Campus changes: “Under President Sweet, there’s been a considerable amount of change. It seems to be something of a tradition here.”
Labor climate improved?: “It’s hard to say right now because I’m just coming back into the swing of things regarding union office. However, I have been in conversation with both members of the union and the administration, and we’re both committed to better relations than they have been.”
Reasons for enrollment growth: “A couple of things. One is the economy. If the economy goes a little bit sour, our enrollment tends to increase because people are looking to retrain. But I also believe President Sweet was instrumental in the increase in enrollment, because that was one of his priorities when he first got here and he’s been truly committed to that ever since.
President’s rating: “He’s done very well.”
Daniel DeMaiolo, student trustee:
Presidential rating: “I think he’s done a very good job. A lot of new things have been started. In the community and a whole, he’s a pretty good figurehead. It’s very important for the university to reach out. I think he’s done a very good job with that.”
Enrollment growth: There’s more participation and you see more people network.”