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TERRY CROGAN: ‘Honor Among Thieves’ describes Youngstown State presidential search process

By Terry Crogan

December 19, 2023 11:48 AM

Protesters hold signs during Thursday’s Youngstown State Board of Trustees meeting. Chris Pugh/Mahoning Matters

“Honor Among Thieves” is an idiomatic phrase aptly applied to the debacle swirling around YSU’s Board of Trustees and their clandestine appointment of Rep. Bill Johnson as 10th president. I use this phrase to describe a situation where people who are not trustworthy are expected to keep their promise to each other. In this case, a Board of Trustees and their prospective candidate, both vowing NOT to back out of this egregious agreement by taking the moral high ground- one for the sake of honor and trust- a journey neither party is likely to accomplish successfully.

However, it would be in the best interest of the YSU Community, including alumni, faculty, students, and support staff, as well as residents of Mahoning Valley, for both parties to abdicate their tenuous positions. Rep. Johnson should resign from this precarious appointment, followed in close succession by Board chairman, Michael Peterson. After all, as spokesperson for the Board, he has embraced this imbroglio, one mired in intrigue and unanswered questions foisted upon the University community. They both need to go.

Now consider this, how by any standard can this unqualified candidate land a three-year contract of $410k with no administrative background whatsoever in higher education? Well, it has been opined that the University Provost would run the ship with Billy out and about soliciting donations from alumni and interested contributors in Mahoning Valley. In addition, this prospective educational “leader” could also receive a 25% bonus if he meets the goals and metrics set by the Board of Trustees ... whatever that means... other than an additional $102,500 on top of the $410K.

What about the additional perks? Well, for openers: the “president’s” ability to enroll in healthcare and life insurance as well as Ohio Public Employees programs, 22 days of vacation, 15 days of sick leave, and freebee lodgings at Pollock House. The University would foot the housing bill, including payment of real estate taxes, insurance and utilities, cable TV / internet services, groundskeeping, housekeeping and maintenance of the interior and exterior. How sweet it is and ALL on the backs of tuition-paying students and their families. It just doesn’t get any better than this! How in good conscience could the Board of Trustees perpetrate this train wreck?

Terry Crogan

Boardman, Ohio