YEC under scrutiny, funding future uncertain
Dan Pompili ASSIST. NEWS EDITOR
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: News
On Jan. 25, the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees received an update on the status of the Youngstown Early College Memorandum of Understanding.
Since the December status report on YEC, several events have transpired relating to the prospective future of the program. YEC's future at YSU may be in question, however, as several financial matters remain unresolved.
Perhaps the most prominent factor in the dealings is a memorandum signed by YSU President Dr. David C. Sweet and Youngstown City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wendy Webb.
The memo extends the deadline to March 31 for either YSU or YCS to notify the other if it does not wish to extend the Early College program beyond May 31.
On Jan. 13, a meeting was held with representatives from YSU, YCS, Eastern Gateway Community College and the Wean Foundation.
At that meeting, YSU Provost Ikram Khawaja, said new academic space easements due to impending vacancies in the current Williamson College of Business Administration building will allow for YEC to remain on the YSU campus.
Dr. Laura Meeks of the EGCC said the college is prepared to work with partners to support YEC, and specifically mentioned the area of academic development.
YEC was awarded a bronze ranking from US News and World Report in its 2009 list of the nation's best high schools for their education of minority and disadvantaged students and how well they are prepared for college.
Webb said the YCS Board of Education is 100 percent supportive of the program and its continuation. She said she is committed to financial support of the staff and operating expenses that total $405,000.
Webb also said YCS has established a foundation that will contribute funding to YEC. The Wean Foundation offered additional support from foundations and granting agencies unspecified.
Concerns were raised at the meeting about a five-year plan and contract proposed by YEC that included, among other items, a model to reduce the tuition costs for both YSU and YCS.
Since the December status report on YEC, several events have transpired relating to the prospective future of the program. YEC's future at YSU may be in question, however, as several financial matters remain unresolved.
Perhaps the most prominent factor in the dealings is a memorandum signed by YSU President Dr. David C. Sweet and Youngstown City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wendy Webb.
The memo extends the deadline to March 31 for either YSU or YCS to notify the other if it does not wish to extend the Early College program beyond May 31.
On Jan. 13, a meeting was held with representatives from YSU, YCS, Eastern Gateway Community College and the Wean Foundation.
At that meeting, YSU Provost Ikram Khawaja, said new academic space easements due to impending vacancies in the current Williamson College of Business Administration building will allow for YEC to remain on the YSU campus.
Dr. Laura Meeks of the EGCC said the college is prepared to work with partners to support YEC, and specifically mentioned the area of academic development.
YEC was awarded a bronze ranking from US News and World Report in its 2009 list of the nation's best high schools for their education of minority and disadvantaged students and how well they are prepared for college.
Webb said the YCS Board of Education is 100 percent supportive of the program and its continuation. She said she is committed to financial support of the staff and operating expenses that total $405,000.
Webb also said YCS has established a foundation that will contribute funding to YEC. The Wean Foundation offered additional support from foundations and granting agencies unspecified.
Concerns were raised at the meeting about a five-year plan and contract proposed by YEC that included, among other items, a model to reduce the tuition costs for both YSU and YCS.
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