YSU taps reserves for new centers

By Harold Gwin | June 23, 2009 at 12:05a.m.

YSU President David C. Sweet

The university decided not to wait for state funding, which could take six years.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University will tap some of its budgetary reserves to provide seed money for the creation of four Centers of Excellence on campus.

The YSU Board of Trustees approved the $500,000 appropriation as part of the 2009-10 $150.1 million general fund budget.

The trustees accepted an administration recommendation to develop Centers of Excellence in materials science and engineering, chemical biology, international business and the study of autism.

The list now goes to the Ohio Board of Regents for approval.

The university had hoped to get some state funding assistance to start the programs, but that doesn’t appear likely at this point in the development of Ohio’s biennial budget, said Ikram Khawaja, YSU provost. Ohio legislators and the governor are wrestling with a $3.2 billion budget deficit and have warned of the possibility of extensive cuts in existing programs.

It was the state’s idea, as part of the 10-year strategic plan for higher education adopted last year, for state universities to develop Centers of Excellence on their campus — programs of study and/or research at which they already excel or have the potential to excel.

The original version of the plan called for state assistance in getting those programs developed.

David C. Sweet, YSU president, told the trustees earlier this month that a plan would be devised to commit some internal funds to help support the centers. State assistance could be as long as six years away, he said.

The general-fund budget adopted by the trustees shows that the Research Challenge Reserve, a cost-recovery program from research grants, and the Debt Service/Budget Contingency, which is comprised of savings realized through an early retirement incentive program for university employees, are likely places that can be tapped for that internal funding to the tune of $500,000 in the new fiscal year which begins July 1.

Eric Fingerhut, Ohio’s chancellor of higher education, visited YSU June 12 to learn about the four centers.

He seemed interested but was noncommittal, Khawaja said, explaining that Fingerhut’s stop was part of a tour of state universities to hear about all of the proposed centers.

The chancellor said he wants his staff to examine YSU’s proposals, Khawaja said.

Disappointed that no state funds will be forthcoming to launch the programs, Khawaja said the university had to move on getting things started by allocating some internal funds to the effort.

Otherwise, it all would have been an exercise in futility and counterproductive, he said.

YSU had 11 responses from deans and faculty on what Centers of Excellence the university should consider.

Not all met the selection criteria, Khawaja said, explaining that the list was narrowed to four which were presented to the president and trustees.

gwin@vindy.com

Youngstown State University has designated four areas of study as Centers of Excellence under Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Higher Education. They are:M

Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering: The program has been building for years, culminating with a proposal for a doctoral degree and the awarding of several high-profile grants. The program is expected to play a significant role in economic development. Estimated implementation cost: $14.6 million.

Center for Applied Chemical Biology: A consolidation of two faculty research groups that would build on the already-strong biological chemistry and related fields. Those programs have already drawn significant external funding and collaboration with businesses. Estimated implementation cost: $1.5 to $3.4 million.

Williamson College of Business Administration Center of Excellence in International Business: International engagement is considered essential in modern business, and local engagement is important in terms of economic development. Estimated implementation cost: $1.6 million.

Rich Center of Excellence for the Study of Autism: The Rich Center is well-established but lacks a strong record of grant writing and overall research. It has the potential to become a national center of excellence in the academic field. Estimated implementation cost: $3.4.

Source: Youngstown State University