2008 Woodie Awards
Forum discusses community college
Emery Boyle-Scott
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: pageone
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Wednesday in Kilcawley Center's Ohio Room, Youngstown State University faculty and staff met to listen to Nate Ritchey, interim associate provost, lecture about the possibility of adding a community college to Mahoning County. Currently, Mahoning County is the only county in Ohio not serviced by a stand-alone community college.
Ritchey said "there is reason to believe there is interest in this area" for a community college.
Ron Cole, manager of news and information services, said the YSU Board of Trustees has been informally discussing the ramifications of building a community college in Mahoning County.
In March, the board created a committee, headed by Ritchey, to explore the possibility of developing a community college. Other members include Robert Herbert, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Cynthia Anderson, vice president for student affairs, and Tom Maraffa, special assistant to the president.
Ritchey called this committee the "Plan to Plan Committee."
There will be two more informative presentations in the Kilcawley Center Gallery: the first from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, and the second from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 12.
Cole said the purpose of these meetings is to help the committee determine what the ramifications will be for Youngstown, local career and technical centers, YSU students, enrollment and tuition.
"We want everyone [YSU faculty and staff] to voice their opinions," Ritchey said.
Karla Krodel, director of the health care industry cluster at the YSU Metro College, said a community college project would be a way of expanding the educational experience of those who wouldn't be able to attend YSU.
"Can't call it a 'community college' because that brings out too many negative thoughts," Ritchey said.
During the presentation, Ritchey outlined some of the strengths of a community college. These include lower tuition, higher enrollment, lower cost, increased state and federal funding and a less threatening atmosphere for prospective students.
Ritchey said "there is reason to believe there is interest in this area" for a community college.
Ron Cole, manager of news and information services, said the YSU Board of Trustees has been informally discussing the ramifications of building a community college in Mahoning County.
In March, the board created a committee, headed by Ritchey, to explore the possibility of developing a community college. Other members include Robert Herbert, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Cynthia Anderson, vice president for student affairs, and Tom Maraffa, special assistant to the president.
Ritchey called this committee the "Plan to Plan Committee."
There will be two more informative presentations in the Kilcawley Center Gallery: the first from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, and the second from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 12.
Cole said the purpose of these meetings is to help the committee determine what the ramifications will be for Youngstown, local career and technical centers, YSU students, enrollment and tuition.
"We want everyone [YSU faculty and staff] to voice their opinions," Ritchey said.
Karla Krodel, director of the health care industry cluster at the YSU Metro College, said a community college project would be a way of expanding the educational experience of those who wouldn't be able to attend YSU.
"Can't call it a 'community college' because that brings out too many negative thoughts," Ritchey said.
During the presentation, Ritchey outlined some of the strengths of a community college. These include lower tuition, higher enrollment, lower cost, increased state and federal funding and a less threatening atmosphere for prospective students.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Trish
posted 9/28/06 @ 9:29 AM EST
I think a community college would be great, and would fill a void in Mahoning County. However, I would also like to see Youngstown State offer college courses off-site, mainly in Trumbull County. (Continued…)
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