Storm clouds gathering over Youngstown State - Vindy.mobi

The possibility of a strike looms large as members of Youngstown State University’s faculty meet Monday to discuss a fact-finder’s report on unresolved contract issues. A vote on whether to accept or reject the report will take place through Wednesday. YSU’s board of trustees is also reviewing the findings and is expected to make its decision shortly. A strike by the faculty this early in the semester could prompt students to pursue other academic options. Any departures would undermine the university’s effort to stabilize enrollment. Indeed, last week’s announcement that YSU’s overall student population is lower than last year is cause for some concern. That’s because YSU President James P. Tressel has made freshmen student recruitment and retention top priorities. It is worth noting, however, that while there was a decline of nearly 1 percent in total enrollment, the number of freshmen this year increased 6 percent from last fall. There are 2,278 first-year students on the rolls today, compared with 2,159 in 2016. http://www.vindy.com/news/2017/sep/17/storm-clouds-gathering-over-youngstown-s/?mobile