Youngstown State University’s decision to permit next year’s applicants to seek admissions to the university without first taking an ACT or SAT is the correct thing to do right now.

Restrictions in recent months imposed on high school students and all Americans because of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly limited opportunities to take college entrance exams.

If regular university rules were to remain in effect requiring placement test scores to accompany admission applications, the futures of countless students would likely be in question. Drastic results could mean impeded college entrance and delayed plans for their futures.

After working hard through 12 years of school, surely enough criteria must exist for college admissions counselors to accurately assess and evaluate college readiness. Sadly, in many cases this pandemic already has taken away so much from the lives of these young people. They will miss a “normal” high school graduation ceremony and subsequent parties. Prom and baccalaureate programs are gone. And that’s not even mentioning the memories of sharing with friends their final months of high school, including athletic competitions, school activities and so much more.

The university is right to add no further stress by not making them wait another year to get started on higher education and their life plans.

“These are unprecedented times requiring unprecedented actions,” YSU President Jim Tressel said this week.

We agree, and we hope other universities follow suit by agreeing to skip the entrance exam requirements, at least for this coming year.

editorial@tribtoday.com