Unraveling process of appointing new trustees for YSU

YOUNGSTOWN

With the term of Dr. Sudershan Garg expiring, Gov. John Kasich will appoint a new Youngstown State University trustee, a process routine to some but one that many don’t understand.

Each of the nine trustee serves a nine-year term, appointed by the sitting governor. Student trustees, who also are appointed by the governor, serve for two years. Dr. Garg’s term expires April 30. Student Trustee Eric Shehadi’s term also expires this month.

“We are sent names of people who have a stake in the university or we solicit names from others whose opinions we respect. And people apply independently,” said Rob Nichols, a Kasich spokesman.

The governor’s office employs an Office of Boards and Commissions whose staff is charged with the process.

“We have a team of people who work for governor’s office, appointing boards,” Nichols said. “They know what they’re doing. They’re capable of making these decisions. We do this every single day.”

It’s the same procedure used to fill vacancies on boards across the state at colleges and universities and on various commissions and committees. And while Dr. Garg’s term is up April 30, the governor is under no deadline to make an appointment.

The next round of quarterly YSU trustee meetings is in June.

YSU President Jim Tressel said he hasn’t been contacted about the appointment and doesn’t know if he will be.

“Whoever is appointed, that’s who I was rooting for,” he joked.

He believes the process has worked.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.