Local

MARK VOPAT: Faculty union appalled YSU creating new positions for Bill Johnson’s staffers

By Mark Vopat

January 19, 2024 8:16 AM

Mark Vopat, spokesperson for the Ohio Education Association’s Youngstown State University members, speaks to reporters during a protest against university administrators’ decision not to require masks for the 2021 fall semester on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, outside Tod Hall.

Youngstown State University is reportedly hiring incoming President Bill Johnson’s congressional staffers just weeks after announcing that up to 13 faculty could be laid off as part of YSU’s “efficiency” efforts.

Hiring Johnson’s staffers – while firing faculty and closing programs, no less – is appalling.

Following months of community outcry over the closed search process and surprise appointment by YSU’s Board of Trustees, Johnson is resigning from Congress on Sunday to become the highest paid President in YSU’s history with an annual salary of $410,000, the potential for a 25% bonus on top of that, free housing in YSU’s Pollock House, and a vehicle allowance. He is bringing with him Sarah Keeler and Maria Bova, both current members of Johnson’s congressional staff. Keeler’s annual salary will be $170,000 for working as special assistant of government affairs. Bova will be an associate director of government affairs with a salary of $57,360. Tim Harrington has also been hired by YSU to be Johnson’s executive assistant with a yearly salary of $92,000.

Johnson had previously criticized higher education for “charging an ever-rising, astronomical tuition with huge administrative overhead and salaries” on social media. Given his statements about bloat in higher education, it is shocking to see that his first addition to YSU are three high paying administration positions.

The board hired a politician to be president in a closed door search, sprung this divisive choice on the YSU community, caused a public relations nightmare that alienated numerous generous donors, and now they’re further bloating the administration. Given all the cuts in the past few years, how can YSU afford this?”