YSU Accreditation ‘Not at Risk,’ Interim Provost Says
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The interim provost at Youngstown State University says the accreditation of the university is not at risk.
Jennifer Pintar issued a statement Wednesday through a university media advisory. It follows an open letter Tuesday from Leslie Cochran, the fifth president of YSU. In the letter, Cochran writes that the university didn’t follow standards of the Higher Learning Commission in selecting a new president.
Pintar’s statement:
“We are aware of concerns surrounding some recent claims regarding the potential impact on the university’s accreditation due to the presidential search process.
These claims are false and completely unsubstantiated.
Youngstown State University continues to be committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Accreditation is a crucial process of peer-review that ensures universities adhere to widely-accepted standards of quality. YSU acts with integrity, adhering to all of the Criteria for accreditation set forth by the HLC.
The HLC recognizes and respects the autonomy of governing boards to act independently in fulfilling their responsibilities, including the selection of a university president. It is important to note, the HLC does not specify any method for hiring a university president, nor would it specify such a methodology. For state universities in Ohio, the role of selecting presidents rests solely with the board of trustees, who have been duly appointed by the governor.
Youngstown State University remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of excellence in education and leadership. For individuals to allege that YSU is at risk of losing its accreditation is patently absurd and a blatant attempt to tarnish YSU’s reputation with false and frivolous claims. We are confident that YSU’s accreditation is not at risk.”
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
