CHRIS PUGH: YSU’s closed-door selection process could end up hurting Bill Johnson
Will U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson make a good president for Youngstown State University?
No one knows.
My concern is that the backlash the school has received from a closed selection process could leave Johnson - and Youngstown State - in a no-win situation in the future.
And it’s a situation that both sides could have easily avoided.
What is the impact of lost donations to Youngstown State University?
It’s a matter that goes beyond Johnson’s politics or how he was chosen.
It’s the money.
And one thing Youngstown State needs to come to grips with is whether the juice, or Johnson can bring to the university is worth the squeeze - the impact of his hire.
Johnson’s hire has divided the campus along with the community around it.
The school’s choice of him without an open selection process has raised many questions the school has been working to answer.
Some don’t seem fair.
We’ve heard wild political conspiracy theories that don’t make sense.
In addition, some have questioned Johnson’s lack of educational experience.
University presidents don’t have to be educational leaders.
As the face of the school, college presidents are needed to raise money and draw positive attention to the institution.
But there are legitimate questions that deserve monitoring.
The danger of a closed-door selection process
The first is about the school choosing to use a closed-door selection process.
The closed-door process has continued, with the school denying media requests for the other finalists for the position.
I understand the argument on the other side. If you are a notable person, you may not want the world to know you are interviewing for another job.
But as a public institution that takes tax dollars, the public has the right to know who is being considered to lead institutions.
It also helps justify the candidate poll.
Board of Trustees chairman Mike A. Peterson has repeatedly shared how Johnson was the best candidate.
But we must know the other candidates or finalists to understand what’s happening.
We have no reason not to believe Peterson, but public information is essential as a check on public institutions.
Second, I keep hearing, “once you meet Johnson,” you’ll understand why he’s a good candidate.
With Johnson’s politics, it made more sense to have more public events so the public could meet him before he received the final vote.
From a public relations perspective, it would have led to fewer questions about Johnson if he had the opportunity to show the public what trustees claimed was so appealing about him.
If you believe in what he can do, wouldn’t it be a disservice to him not to give him that opportunity?
What is the impact of lost donations to Youngstown State University?
The missed opportunities could cost the school a lot of money.
Phantom Fireworks CEO Bruce J. Zoldan already said he’s considering removing his name from a planned school building. Other notable people, including “Modern Family” actor Ed O’Neill, have said they don’t want to associate with the school.
What if Johnson’s past comments on hot-button issues like gay marriage and immigration cause students to leave the school or scare away future students?
Johnson has already said he can separate his politics from his college president role.
Can he do that?
It’s easier to say than do.
But even if he can, will the perception of what he thinks may be greater than what he thinks?
Bill Johnson could be a great college president and I wish the best for Youngstown State.
I wonder if he can overcome what appears to be a deeply divided donor base and community.
It’s going to be a steep hill for Johnson to climb to be successful,
It didn’t have to be that way.
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Chris Pugh is the senior editor of Mahoning Matters.
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This story was originally published December 9, 2023 at 8:13 AM.
