YSU Cuts; Shenango Valley Mall Redevelopment
Youngstown State University continued to be in the headlines this week. On Sunday, the university issued a statement refuting social media posts that claimed the Dana School of Music has been “canceled.” The university clarified that some majors will “sunset” at the end of this academic year, but the school is not closing.
On Monday, Business Journal reporter Denise Dick provided a look at which majors will be ending and how the university’s shift in focus will affect faculty. During a nearly two-hour special Academic Senate meeting Wednesday, YSU faculty and students peppered Jennifer Pintar, interim provost, about the planned program and faculty cuts.
In other YSU news, a group of former, emeritus and retired faculty, staff and administrators issued a letter opposing the YSU Board of Trustees’ selection of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson as the university’s next president. Also, YSU professor Mike Costarell and YSU Foundation Trustee Scott R. Schulick weighed in with commentaries.
In economic development news, George Nelson, deputy managing editor of The Business Journal, provided an update on the redevelopment of the Shenango Valley Mall property.
Here’s a look at those stories and other top stories this week from BusinessJournalDaily.com:
YSU Shifting Focus in Programs, Faculty
About 13 Youngstown State University faculty will be offered voluntary separation and a retirement program in the Dana School of Music, studio arts and geography while the university looks to boost its faculty ranks in STEM and health and human services.
The bachelor of arts in music, bachelor of music in composition, master of music in composition and master of music in jazz studies at Dana, arts education and geography will be eliminated after this academic year. Those programs see low enrollment and low graduation rates. READ
Hermitage Officials Anticipate Midyear Start for Town Center Project
Officials in the city of Hermitage, Pa., anticipate physical work getting underway by midyear on redevelopment of the Shenango Valley Mall property now that longtime tenant JCPenney has ceased its efforts to remain there.
The city hasn’t heard from JCPenney itself, but a third party working on the retail chain’s behalf contacted Hermitage officials last week about the city’s requirements for conducting a store-closing sale, said Gary Gulla, Hermitage assistant city manager. READ
Ohio Treasurer Unveils New Homebuyer Program in Youngstown
A new program rolled out this week by the state is likely to help boost homeownership across the Mahoning Valley, stakeholders say.
“We’ve all seen housing prices skyrocket over the last three years. Mortgage rates have more than doubled,” said Ohio Treasurer of State Robert Sprague, who visited Youngstown on Wednesday. “It’s made buying a house unaffordable for Americans and for a lot of people in the state of Ohio.” READ
SEC Files $45M Claim Against Lordstown Motors
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a $45 million claim against bankrupt electric vehicle manufacturer Lordstown Motors Corp. related to “monetary remedies for violations of federal securities law,” the company disclosed in a regulatory filing Tuesday morning.
According to a Lordstown Motors 8-K report, the SEC filed a proof of claim “in the face amount of $45 million” with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on Jan. 4, one day before the Jan. 5 deadline. READ
Steward Owes $50M in Unpaid Rent, Sells Some Lab Services
Amid reports Steward Health Care System owes more than $50 million in unpaid leases to Medical Properties Trust Inc., it has sold select parts of its Ohio and Pennsylvania area outreach laboratory services business to Quest Diagnostics.
According to Quest Diagnostics, the relationship will broaden access to innovative, quality and cost-effective laboratory services, and Quest’s full-service laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pa., will provide testing for physicians and patients previously serviced by outreach laboratories operated by Steward in parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio. READ
Other Top Stories
YSU Dana School Isn’t Closing but Some Majors Are Ending, University Says
Former YSU Professors, Employees Criticize Presidential Selection
Guest Commentary: Support for Johnson as YSU President
Guest Commentary: We Can Do Better for YSU
YSU Cuts Draw Questions, Concerns from Students, Faculty
2 Hotels in Boardman Sold for $8.4M
Victoria Road Warehouse Sold for $1.6M
Charges Against Former Eastern Gateway Administrators Dismissed
Dearing Employees Donate Nearly $10K to Youngstown Blue Coats
DEI in Education Improves Belonging
From Tap to Bottle: Quality Matters
Youngstown Partners with WRTA on Bus to Promote the City
Husband and Wife Team Open Juny Café in Austintown
Geo C and Tha Storm Takes a Funk Journey on New Album
Column: Selling Down the Rabbit Hole
Videos
Anyone With a Bank Account is a Target for Cyber Threats
YSU Shifts Focus from Arts to STEM; More Developments in the Failed Chill Can Project
Charges Dropped for Former EGCC Administrators; Transformation Coming to Hermitage
Harmonic Egg Finds New Home in Poland
Evolution of Water Consumption; American Idols Coming to Warren
New Program Helps Ohioans Become Homeowners
Cuts Draw Concerns at YSU; A New Program to Boost Homeownership
HotWorx Turns up Heat in Mahoning Valley
Game-Day Grub Awaits
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