YSU’s success is the priority

By Sudershan Garg

Special to The Vindciator

Ohio Revised Code states that the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees “shall do all things necessary for the creation, proper maintenance, and successful continuous operation of the university.” As members of the YSU Board of Trustees we take that charge and our fiduciary responsibility seriously, and that is why we are writing this letter today.

With unresolved contracts and mounting financial challenges facing the university, these certainly are difficult and stressful times for all of us. Thus, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the fact that more than 14,000 students are on campus, engaged in their classes, learning and succeeding. For more than 100 years, YSU has been and will continue to be a shining example of the Mahoning Valley’s pride and perseverance, producing tens of thousands of graduates who have advanced to great success across the country and around the world.

The financial challenges before us now, however, are significant and real. They reflect the ongoing reality of our international, national, state and local economy. Nearly three months into this fiscal year, YSU has a deficit of more than $6 million, and that is after we reluctantly raised tuition by 3.5 percent this year. For several years, we have cut our operating budget. And the deficits only look to get worse in fiscal year 2013.

That is why these current contract negotiations have been so difficult. We are a personnel-intensive operation. For the university to address such large budgetary shortfalls, we must do so, unfortunately, by addressing personnel costs. In years past, when conditions were better, the board authorized incremental increases to salary and benefit packages for employees. In today’s financial climate, and as trustees charged with the “successful continuous operation of the university,” we can no longer afford to do so. We understand that a concessionary contract like the one we are negotiating now represents a major cultural shift on campus. It is, to some, quite extraordinary. We would suggest, however, that these are quite extraordinary times.

Concessions

We will not get into the details of the negotiations, but suffice it to say that the concessions in these contracts are imperative to the financial viability of the institution. And, as President Cynthia Anderson has said before, the concessions are not limited to these contracts. All employees across campus will be expected to make financial sacrifices. In addition, the university will explore all options, including reductions in operations and programs, to address the continued financial challenges.

We are private citizens. We are volunteers. We are individuals who, like so many, love this university and are committed to its success. We have no political agenda. The faculty, staff, administration, trustees, alumni and community are all in this for a common purpose: to serve students. That is our job. That is our commitment.

Dr. Garg is chairman of the YSU Board of Trustees and submitted this on behalf of the board.