Former YSU Professors, Employees Criticize Presidential Selection

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A group of former, emeritus and retired Youngstown State University faculty, staff and administrators have issued a letter opposing the YSU Board of Trustees’ selection of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson as the next president of the university, as well as the selection process.

“Our main concerns deal with how your decision will affect both the short-term and long-term welfare of the university that we have been part of for a good portion of our lives. It is already clear that the good name and reputation of YSU has been severely if not permanently damaged as a result of the uniformly critical, sometimes scathing regional and nationwide reviews of your decision,” the letter, signed by 87 individuals, states. “It is also clear that this and other actions have broken the bond between YSU and its employees, causing many to seek opportunities elsewhere and if not, disengage themselves from the University.”

The trustees voted 8-1 on Nov. 21, 2023, to offer a contract to Johnson to serve as the next president of the university.

The university announced Jan. 2 that Johnson had submitted his resignation from Congress, effective at the end of the day Jan. 21, and will begin his term as the 10th president of the university Jan. 22.

The full letter opposing Johnson’s selection can be viewed below.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.