43
YSU combines positions to save money
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State University trustees approved combining three student-affairs posts into two new ones at their meeting Wednesday, for an estimated savings of $135,000 a year.
The board also honored two trustees who will be leaving: Dr. Sudershan K. Garg and Eric A. Shehadi.
Three student-affairs administrators have left or are leaving this year, and two of their positions are being eliminated: executive director of student life and executive director of student services.
When Jack Fahey, vice president of student affairs, retires in December, that post won’t be filled.
Trustees approved creating the two new positions: an associate vice president for student success, and an associate vice president for student experience, each with a salary range of $90,000 to $130,000.
The university will conduct national searches to fill both positions, which play a key role in increasing enrollment.
The plan is to have the positions filled by July 1, Fahey has said.
The vice president for student success will be responsible for managing the Division for Student Success, and will lead everyone who deals with retention, completion and post-graduation success, according to a description of the position.
The position also is responsible for supervisory support of the office of career services and oversees programs in the center for student progress.
He or she will oversee on-campus student employment.
He or she also will oversee the Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration Program, which introduces new students to their academic life.
Testing and upward bound programs also fall under the post’s responsibilities.
The vice president for student experience will manage activities in the Student Experience Division, including campus recreation, student activities-Greek life, student government, Kilcawley Center, student conduct, the Student Health Clinic, housing and residence life, and ombudsperson.
He or she will oversee contracted services that include dining, University Courtyard management, cleaning, CATV, laundry, physician health services and student health insurance.
After the trustees’ meeting at Tod Hall, they hosted a reception for Dr. Garg and Shehadi.
Dr. Garg is leaving after serving on the board for 10 years.
Shehadi is leaving after fulfilling his two-year term as student trustee.
Dr. Garg was appointed in 2005 to fill the unexpired term of the late Larry E. Esterly, according to a resolution of appreciation to him from the trustees. He was appointed by Gov. Bob Taft in June 2006 to a full nine-year term.
Dr. Garg served on several committees and, from 2009 to 2011, was vice chairman of the board. From 2011 to 2014, he was chairman.
He has been a resident of Youngstown for 40 years.
During his time on the board, he has seen some ups and downs, he said.
The downs, he said, were more in finances.
“YSU always faced financial difficulty,” he said. “State funding had been going down.”
Labor strikes in recent years also hurt, he said.
He also said he faced the challenges of hiring three university presidents during his time on the board: Cynthia Anderson, Randy Dunn, who left after only seven months, and Jim Tressel.
“I think I learned a lot,” he said. “And what I learned at YSU I was able to apply in my own life.”
Shehadi joined the board in 2013, appointed by Gov. John Kasich.
He served on several committees.
He also “maintained a rigorous academic regimen as a University Scholar,” says a resolution of appreciation to him from the trustees. He held numerous campus- leadership positions and also was a member of the McDonald board of education.
“I’ve learned that YSU sits in one of the best communities,” Shehadi said. “It truly cares about the university.”
“I’ve also learned about the faculty and staff,” he continued. “They’re always trying to prepare students for the next steps in their lives. ... It’s been a great two years.”
Board Chairwoman Carole Weimer said Dr. Garg led the trustees with thoughtfulness and gentleness.
“He leaves us with high standards of behavior to emulate,” she said.
Shehadi, she said, expressed well-thought-out opinions.
“He regularly helped the board to understand student needs and concerns,” she said.