DEAR EDITOR:

I am writing to express my shock and dismay that the board of trustees has hired Rep. Bill Johnson as next president of Youngstown State University. My comments are informed by my experience as a YSU faculty member, administrator and reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (the body that accredits YSU). There are four main reasons this decision is bad for YSU.

First, the secretive and rushed search process shows that trustees are not aware of best practices in higher education, nor how that will be perceived in YSU’s next reaccreditation review. The board’s failure to involve all stakeholders in the search will be part of the pattern of evidence used to decide whether YSU meets these accreditation standards: 2.C.3 “Shared governance at the institution engages its internal constituencies — including its governing board, administration, faculty, staff and students — through planning, policies and procedures.” And 5.A.1. “The governing board reviews the reasonable and relevant interests of the institution’s internal and external constituencies during its decision-making deliberations.” How could the board review the interests of its constituencies in this decision if they had no opportunity to provide input? Why wouldn’t the board WANT input from those who know the most about the institution?

Second, the explanation from the board that the best candidates would fail to apply unless the process were confidential is refuted by the results: the least qualified president in YSU’s history.

Third, when there is so much polarization in the country, appointing a partisan politician from any party would be a mistake. It is sure to alienate a significant portion of YSU’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and surrounding community members.

Fourth, Rep. Johnson stated that he would not let his political positions affect his decisions at YSU. He may sincerely believe this and attempt to implement it. However, one’s political views are based on one’s values. What values led him to oppose women’s reproductive choice and gay marriage, question climate science and vote not to certify a free and fair election? Is he now saying he can discard his deeply held beliefs? Perhaps his positions were not based on his beliefs, but on what his voters wanted to hear. That interpretation is just as troubling.

Those of us who love YSU must look forward. Please do not withhold donations to benefit students because you are unhappy with the current leadership. I hope trustees will learn from this experience and begin to engage appropriately with those who have been ignored. And I recommend they send the new president to Harvard’s summer institute for new presidents. He’s going to need a lot of professional development.

JANICE G. ELIAS, PhD

Poland