Tressel tackles many challenges in first two years as YSU president

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

When Jim Tressel started as Youngstown State University president, he was greeted by a budget deficit, declining student enrollment and vacancies among top staff.

That was two years ago. Tressel’s official term began July 1, 2014, and he signed a three-year contract.

His leadership team is in place although some positions have been consolidated and others created, and the budget is balanced for the first time since 2012. Enrollment realized a modest increase for spring semester.

Tressel is quick to share the credit and is proud of “how everyone rolled up their sleeves.”

Balancing the budget required many people across campus to put off projects and equipment purchases, he said. Tressel also lauded employee unions for agreeing to no or modest increases in the last round of contract negotiations.

Efforts to widen the university’s recruiting footprint and bolster retention continue.

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