YSU fundrasing moved to foundation, new college, dean post created

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University has transferred fundraising responsibility to the YSU Foundation.

Trustees approved the change at a meeting today with Trustee Ted Roberts casting the only dissenting vote.

Roberts, who is an attorney, believes it’s a good contract, but is concerned about the longer-term implications, he said.

“From a broad perspective, a broader vision, I’m concerned about the independence of both organizations,” Roberts said.

“We believe that this change in how the university’s development activities are managed will help us meet the increasingly significant philanthropic needs of the institution moving forward,” YSU President Jim Tressel said in a news release.

The agreement also means that the university will no longer have a vice president for university advancement.

There’s also a tentative plan, which hasn’t been approved by the foundation board, to move that organization into Melnick Hall once a renovation project is complete.

Trustees also approved a resolution to change the scope of the Melnick Hall project, form an honors college, rename the School of Graduate Studies and Research, create and recruit an associate vice president for research and recruit a dean for the College of Graduate Studies.

For more on the meeting, read Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.