Q&A | YSU’s Tressel, Smith address students’ concerns

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel and Provost Brien Smith answered questions Tuesday from students about how the upcoming months will be affected by COVID-19.

If you have additional questions about how COVID-19 affects life at YSU, email them to news@mahoningmatters.com, and we'll try to get them answered.

Here is a roundup of some of the most important questions answered during the town hall, which is available on YouTube:

Will I receive any refunds from YSU? And when?

“By the first week of April, all students will have a check to your account that will give you a refund for the COVID-19 refund of fees,” Tressel said. This will include prorated lab fees and room and board for students who have moved out of residence halls and refunds of unspent dining plan money. YSU is also suspending all late fees and financial holds. Graduation fees will not be refunded.

Is commencement canceled?

Commencement — which was scheduled for May 9 — has been postponed. But degrees will be conferred as soon as coursework is finished so that students who need a transcript for applications can acquire one. Tressel discussed hosting a “grand celebration” for the class of 2020 once school is back in session on campus.

I’m going to be late on a tuition payment. What should I do?

To request a due date extension on a tuition payment, students can call the Bursar's Office, which can be reached at 330-941-3133.

I don’t have the technology I need for my classes. Who can help?

Since classes are being conducted virtually, YSU has made provisions for students without access to the necessary technology. “Our team has worked really hard to think about things from your perspective,” said Provost Smith. Send an email to jtwormley@ysu.edu or call the service desk at 330-941-1595.

Will YSU encourage off-campus housing buildings like the Enclave and University Edge to release students from their leases?

In short, it's unlikely, but they're working on it. "Those public-private partnerships are companies that have invested in us by creating opportunities for us to have apartment-style living for our students. Obviously, their investments to build those wonderful things have had a tremendous boost to the overall experience of our campus ... With that, though, those public-private companies still have their bills to pay ... We are meeting with the whole group of our public-private partners along with the folks that manage our courtyard, and we're going to have a little discussion of is there anything we can do to ease the burden," said Tressel.

I will be a new student in the fall. When and how will orientation take place?

YSU administration is working on a plan for first-year undergraduate orientation — which usually takes place over the summer — and looking at the option of virtual orientation. "One way or another, we're still having it," said Tressel.

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 5:25 AM with the headline "Q&A | YSU’s Tressel, Smith address students’ concerns."