2008 Woodie Awards
"Everyone is responsible"
Sweet's response to low morale
Adrienne Sabo
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: News
A five-page letter to faculty and staff, by Youngstown State University President David Sweet, has prompted sharp reactions and criticism across campus.
In the letter sent out Monday, Sweet responded to the recent Campus Climate Survey, which revealed low morale among faculty and staff.
In his letter, Sweet said that the YSU administration is not the only ones responsible for low morale, citing grievances filed by union members. In a phrase he repeated several times in all capital letters, Sweet wrote, "Everyone is responsible!"
Sweet named several people, including Philosophy Professor Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez and Christine Domhoff, president of the Association of Classified Employees, as contributing to the morale problems.
Sweet said Palmer-Fernandez referred to similar problems from a 2000 survey and accused administrators of doing nothing to fix them.
He also said statistics attributed to Domhoff in an April 6 Vindicator article - about how much the administration has grown - were inaccurate.
Sweet cited numerous incidents, dating as far back as 2000, in which he said he was vigilant in trying to address low morale and labor management relations.
Domhoff said many were "appalled" by Sweet's response, and that the letter was full of inaccuracies.
"I think everybody will choose to ignore it," Domhoff said.
"We have received a significant number of emails in response and they have almost been entirely positive and supportive," said Thomas Maraffa, special assistant to the president.
According to the letter, "All parties on campus should have as a goal improved morale, as well as improved labor relations."
Ivan Maldonado, administrative assistant in Payroll and vice president of ACE, said Sweet's letter did nothing to improve labor management relations at YSU.
Maldonado said leadership starts from the top, not the bottom.
"If he wants back on track, do it now," Maldonado said, challenging Sweet to sit down with all of the union presidents to settle the issues. "David, I'm waiting for a response."
In the letter sent out Monday, Sweet responded to the recent Campus Climate Survey, which revealed low morale among faculty and staff.
In his letter, Sweet said that the YSU administration is not the only ones responsible for low morale, citing grievances filed by union members. In a phrase he repeated several times in all capital letters, Sweet wrote, "Everyone is responsible!"
Sweet named several people, including Philosophy Professor Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez and Christine Domhoff, president of the Association of Classified Employees, as contributing to the morale problems.
Sweet said Palmer-Fernandez referred to similar problems from a 2000 survey and accused administrators of doing nothing to fix them.
He also said statistics attributed to Domhoff in an April 6 Vindicator article - about how much the administration has grown - were inaccurate.
Sweet cited numerous incidents, dating as far back as 2000, in which he said he was vigilant in trying to address low morale and labor management relations.
Domhoff said many were "appalled" by Sweet's response, and that the letter was full of inaccuracies.
"I think everybody will choose to ignore it," Domhoff said.
"We have received a significant number of emails in response and they have almost been entirely positive and supportive," said Thomas Maraffa, special assistant to the president.
According to the letter, "All parties on campus should have as a goal improved morale, as well as improved labor relations."
Ivan Maldonado, administrative assistant in Payroll and vice president of ACE, said Sweet's letter did nothing to improve labor management relations at YSU.
Maldonado said leadership starts from the top, not the bottom.
"If he wants back on track, do it now," Maldonado said, challenging Sweet to sit down with all of the union presidents to settle the issues. "David, I'm waiting for a response."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Charles Daubner
posted 5/03/07 @ 1:42 PM EST
Ask top administration why they closed the Training Department in spite of the fact it worked hard to bring the unions and management together in spite of the previous HR Director and VP of Adminstrations attempt to dismantle all training effeorts aimed at improving both supervisory management skills and union labor relations skills. (Continued…)
Felix
posted 5/03/07 @ 1:50 PM EST
This is probably symptomatic of the low morale at YSU. Last Friday I was at a diocesan track meet that was held at YSU. Parents and students were there from schools in Youngstown, Warren and Canton. (Continued…)
John
posted 5/03/07 @ 5:49 PM EST
Some members of the union have been anti-administration for years and have used any YSU troubles as a springboard for their views. Attempts to play the victim now are less than convincing. (Continued…)
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