YSU committee approves new administrative organization

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel unveiled a new administrative organization that will allow the university to operate more efficiently and reduce top managerial costs by nearly $1 million.

The YSU Board of Trustees’ University Affairs Committee approved the reorganization at a meeting Thursday. Trustees will vote on final approval at their regular quarterly meeting June 17.

“It is vital for any institution, especially one the size and complexity of a university, to have in place an administrative framework that provides the opportunity for the university to reach its full potential,” Tressel said. “We believe that this reorganization does just that, and will result in improvements across all segments of the university, as well as significant savings.”

The university will consist of four major administrative units: the Office of the President, the Division of Academic Affairs, the Division of Finance and Business Operations and the Division of Legal Affairs and Human Resources.

The committee also approved appointing Neal McNally and Martin Abraham vice president for finance and business operations and provost/vice president of academic affairs, respectively.

McNally has been serving as interim vice president for finance and business operations since February 2014 when Gene Grilli resigned to take another job. McNally’s salary is $150,000.

Abraham has been interim provost/vice president of academic affairs since October. His salary is $205,000.

The committee also approved the appointment of Sylvia Imler as executive director of inclusion and multicultural affairs. Imler has served as the interim director since April 2013. Her salary is $95,000.

The committee also approved hiring Salvatore Sanders as dean of the College of Graduate Studies. University trustees approved creation of the position last year.

Sanders has been associate dean of graduate studies at YSU since 2013. His salary is $135,000.

The committee also approved Mike Hripko to fill the newly created associate vice president for research position. That salary is $148,000. Hripko is deputy director for Workforce and Educational Outreach at America Makes in Youngstown.

Michael Reagle has been appointed associate vice president for student success. He will oversee services and initiatives related to student retention, completion and success. Reagle comes to YSU after 14 years as associate vice president for campus life at Eastern Kentucky University. His salary is $130,000.