Trending
DEAR EDITOR:
Youngstown State's Board of Trustees' vote to hire Congressman Bill Johnson as university president over candidates with educational backgrounds is a travesty. Holding faculty in the dark over candidates, then hiring someone starkly anti-education and intellectual diversity is disgusting. Similarly, so are The Vindicator's reports on Johnson's background in relation to his qualifications.
Johnson is a politician who denied links between climate change, fossil fuels and greenhouse gases ("I'm concerned about protecting our environment, but I am not an alarmist that believes that greenhouse gas emissions coming from the coal industry are causing major problems" ); he denigrated importance of environmental injustice despite issues like the East Palestine train derailment because it won't "fuel our economy, reduce inflation or keep a brutal dictator at bay" ; he denied 2020 presidential election results ( "I will support objections to the certification of the Electoral College vote of Pennsylvania and possibly other states when the Joint Session of Congress meets tomorrow"); he advocated for ban on immigration from Muslim countries and a physical border wall; he does not believe in a woman's right to choose; and he does not believe in numerous rights for LGBTQIA+ people, like rights for same-sex couples to marry.
It's safe to say trustees, then, do not care about the education students might receive on topics like environmental science or studies, safety and emotional well-being of students of color or identifying as LGBTQIA+, or the university's local and national standing.
How could any student look at Bill Johnson's record and feel someone who supported an insurrection should lead their university? How could Youngstown residents feel this board has their city's best interest in mind?
These people, aside from Molly Seals, who voted against Johnson, should be ashamed of themselves. Trustee Michael Peterson, who had the gall to say he was "excited for the future of YSU and for the future of our students," especially should be ashamed.
As a YSU alumnus, I am terrified for YSU's future, its faculty and students.
I was proud to say I received a bachelor's in English and education from the university in 2014. I am not any longer. The education I received there has carried me to a Ph.D. and job as professor of environmental sciences and studies. I teach classes on climate change and environmental justice.
I would not be where I am without excellent YSU professors and peers I met there. Professors and students deserve to be able to teach and learn about the very ideals Johnson has denied throughout his career in politics. They deserve much better than this for their president.
KYLE KEELER
Girard