YSU and Ohio publics: Efficiency, affordability, degree attainment

YSU is joining other public universities in the state to get the word out on a wide range of initiatives launched over the past several months to improve efficiency, affordability and degree attainment.

“Ohio faces a severe talent gap that threatens the state’s economic competitiveness and growth,” YSU President Jim Tressel said.

“We have a significant shortage of working-age adults with the college-level credentials required to fill the majority of current and future jobs. To thrive and prosper, Ohio must dramatically increase education attainment levels.”

This past spring, the state set a goal that, by 2025, 65 percent of working-age adults in Ohio will have a degree, certificate or other credential of value in the marketplace. Achieving that goal will require Ohio to produce 1.7 million additional adults with postsecondary credentials.

Steps YSU and other public universities have taken to enhance retention and completion include:

• Efficiency Reviews. Efficiencies implemented at YSU include new agreements with Mercy Health to manage the campus health clinic and with Barnes & Noble to operate the YSU bookstore; ground leases with private developers for student housing and retail venues; and administrative reorganization that reduced seven positions and saved $1 million.
• Senate 5 Percent Cost Reduction Challenge. YSU took a number of steps for a combined tuition savings of more than 9 percent over the course of four years.
• College Completion Plans. YSU’s plan includes creation of a new “First Year Class” to improve retention; a new Peer Leadership program to work in conjunction with the First Year Class; and revisions in admission requirements to help increase in retention rates.

“These initiatives and many others are enhancing our ability to support student success, increase degree completion, reduce student debt and more effectively connect degree holders to successful careers,” Tressel said.