YSU trustee resigns from board after serving for less than 3 weeks

By David Skolnick

YOUNGSTOWN — Atty. Elizabeth Bernard’s time on the Youngstown State University’s board of trustees didn’t last long.

Bernard, of Canfield, appointed Oct. 30 by Gov. Ted Strickland, told The Vindicator she is resigning from the board, effective today.

Bernard said Wednesday that she simply can’t successfully balance the demands of her law firm — she’s a sole practitioner with a secretary — and the responsibilities of serving on the YSU board.

It’s been less than three weeks since Strickland appointed Bernard and she’s already had to skip two trustee subcommittee meetings. Bernard said she doesn’t see it getting any better in the future.

“There’s a lot of research and planning” as a trustee, “and I feel I have to make excuses when I can’t be there,” Bernard said. “I want to be fair to the board, and I want to be fair to my clients.”

When appointed, Bernard said other trustees said, “It was a big-time commitment.”

Bernard said she now realizes it’s too big a commitment for her.

“I feel I’m not pulling my weight as a trustee,” she said. “It’s too important of a job to not give it 100 percent.”

Bernard said her law practice has become busier in recent weeks than she had anticipated.

Bernard said she spoke Wednesday to the governor’s office about her impending resignation and asked that a replacement be appointed as soon as possible.

Attempts late Wednesday by The Vindicator to seek comment on Bernard’s resignation from Dr. David C. Sweet, YSU president; Scott R. Schulick, YSU board of trustees chairman; and Harry Meshel, a board member, were unsuccessful.

Strickland appointed Bernard on Oct. 30 for a nine-year term succeeding Dr. H.S. Wang, whose term expired in May.

skolnick@vindy.com