Changes on entry at YSU showing signs of success

YOUNGSTOWN — It’s too soon to say whether a conditional admission change at Youngstown State University has produced the desired effect, but officials see positive indications as they provide additional support to students.

Jack Fahey, vice president for student affairs, said he believes the change is working, but officials won’t know until first-semester grades are finalized.

The change in policy is still in its early stages, added Jonelle Beatrice, director of the Center for Student Progress.

The change meant that more students are conditionally admitted; 348 students were conditionally admitted this fall compared with 279 in fall 2011.

Students are admitted under conditional status if their high school grade-point average is below 2.0 or their composite ACT is below 17, or their critical reading and math composite on the SAT is below 820.

Previously, students with both a below-2.0 GPA and below-17 ACT were admitted conditionally.

Those students must meet stricter requirements to stay at the university than before. It’s a way to help them and provide needed support, she said.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com