YSU trustees approve $169.8 million budget

By Denise Dick | June 16, 2016 at 12:04a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University trustees approved a $169.8 million fiscal year 2017 operating budget, swore in a new member, and acknowledged a deceased board member.

The spending plan, approved earlier this month by the trustees’ Finance and Facilities Committee, marks the first time since 2012 the university budget didn’t include a deficit. The budget is 2.5 percent – or about $4.4 million – less than 2016.

In-state undergraduate tuition stays the same as do many fees charged to students. A law passed last year prohibited state-supported universities from increasing tuition for those students for two years.

Full-time tuition will remain at $8,087 per year for Ohio students, about $1,600 less than the statewide average and the lowest of public universities in Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Wright State University is the second-lowest at $8,730.

Fees for on-campus housing also are frozen as well as lab and materials fees, parking permits and other fees.

Frank Bennett, board secretary, administered the oath of office to Samuel W. Grooms as the newest trustee. Grooms, of Westerville, is chief executive officer of Hy-Tek Material Handling in Columbus.

Gov. John Kasich appointed James Boyd Greene of Canfield, a trustee in June 2012. Greene died March 13.

Trustees approved a resolution in memoriam Wednesday at their regular quarterly meeting.

“While a sophisticated businessman, Mr. Greene was a calming and friendly presence on the YSU Board of Trustees,” it read.

Carole Weimer, board chairwoman, presented Greene’s widow, Lynn, with the resolution and a glass statuette.

Lynn Greene said she would keep the statuette on her late husband’s desk where he spent time preparing for YSU meetings.

“I feel his spirit is here,” she said. “He really enjoyed being part of the board.”