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Randy Dunn deals with crime, finances in first 100 days
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State University President Randy J. Dunn wants to make sure that students remain safe while on and around campus.
Last week, a female student was robbed by two juveniles while in her car in the Lincoln Avenue parking deck.
The culprits were apprehended by campus police.
Earlier this year, students fell victim in a spate of off-campus robberies.
City police arrested a 17-year-old in those crimes.
“The crime issue right now has to be dealt with,” Dunn said.
He said he’s spoken to many students, parents and community members about the issue.
He said he’s talked with YSU Chief John Beshara to ensure that patrols and placement of officers are being administered to try to prevent more occurrences.
Campus police also are getting help from outside law enforcement agencies although Dunn declined to elaborate.
“For me, the larger issue is our immediate footprint of campus and how to get that addressed,” said Dunn.
It’s going to take working with partners and financing to improve the campus perimeter, specifically north of campus, he said.
“It’s a major artery of campus,” Dunn said.
He doesn’t have a specific plan in mind, but he’s spoken to representatives of surrounding entities including Ursuline High School and St. Elizabeth Health Center — who he says are in support of an effort to improve the area.
Within campus, the buildings and grounds department works to keep everything looking nice, but off campus the immediate area doesn’t look as attractive.
Dunn, who saw his 100th day as YSU president last week, will be officially installed in the office Friday in a 1 p.m. ceremony at Beeghly Center.
The event had initially been planned for Stambaugh Auditorium but was moved to campus to save money.
With hall rental, musicians, production setup, table rental, music, program printing and food, the bill for the ceremony would have been nearly $11,000.
Dunn said that while the installation of a new president is significant, in light of the university’s financial constraints, it didn’t seem like a good use of funds.
Last month Dunn announced a plan to address the university’s $6.6 million deficit. The largest portion of that, $2.9 million, comes from a freeze in discretionary spending.
That will require constant monitoring to determine if it’s saving the amount forecast. If not, other plans will have to be made.
YSU has lost $16 million in revenue due to decreased enrollment and state allocations over the past two fiscal years.
This fiscal year, tuition/enrollment revenue and state funding are down an additional $4.2 million.