December 02, 2021: Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes

Abstract

Presented are the minutes of the 380th meeting of the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees. This was a regular meeting. President Jim Tressel reported that the board addressed several issues and heard several reports on a variety of topics, including internal audit activities, a clean external audit report, COVID-19 safety protocols, international student recruitment, student mental health services, assessment, anti-hazing policies, curriculum optimization, fundraising support, workforce education and innovation, university marketing and an evaluation of Information Technology Services. Presentations were given by the following: Pedro Cortes (Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering professor), Bharat Yelamanchi (Doctoral Student, Materials Science and Engineering), Nick Koupiaris, Gianna Battaglia, and MIchael Cline (all from Student Government Association), Brian Campbell (Head Softball Coach) and Ellie Buffenbarger (Pitcher YSU Softball team). The Board resolved to: modify the Student Media Policy, modify the Privacy and Release of Student Education Records (FERPA) Policy, modify the Objectivity in Research Policy, approve the Anti-Hazing Policy, approve the 2021 Remediation Report, modify the University Publications Policy, accept WYSU Memberships, approve Adjustments to Student Employee Hourly Pay Rates, approve the 2021 Affordability and Efficiency Report, approve Interfund Transfers, ratify Personnel Actions (Athletics), Modify Americans with Disabilities Act Policy, modify Maternity/Parental Leave Policy for Excluded Professional/Administrative Staff, modify Bereavement Leave Policy for Excluded Professional/Administrative Staff, modify the Distinguished Service Awards for Full-time Excluded Professional/Administrative Staff and Full-time Classified Excluded Staff, modify Fringe Benefits for Full-time Professional/Administrative Employees (Excluded), modify Fringe Benefits for the Excluded Professional/Administrative Employees Fee Remission Program Policy, and Ratify Personnel Actions (PA/Faculty). President Tressel recognized the following passings: Jean Hassell (Human Ecology faculty), Edward Smith (student), Herb Lake Sr. (YSU basketball Hall of Fame inductee), Ray G. Carter Sr. (YSU football running back 1955-1958), Wade Driscoll (Industrial Engineering faculty), Betty Greenway (English faculty), Joyce Polkabla (step-mother of Joy Polkabla-Byers), LaDonna Zocolo (sister of Katrena Davidson), Rev. Timothy O'Neill (paster of St. Patrick's Parish in Hubbard), Robert Korandovich (Father of Robert Korandovich Jr.), David Alter, (alum and donor), Gary Wuslich (alum and donor), Theodora "Dora" Anyanwu (student) and Patty Gillis (staff member). In closing, Chair Jakubek commented on the need to listen to each other and that YSU's goal is to attract students, make sure they're successful, that they stay enrolled, persist, graduate and have fulfilling lives after leaving the university.