Students hold rally to burn Ed O’Neill’s degree after YSU issues policy on gatherings

A group of protesters nodded agreement as an honorary degree given to actor Ed O’Neill by Youngstown State was set ablaze during a rally Friday at the school.

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, this kind of action is an absolute must,” someone said as the degree was placed in a disposal to be burned.

“YSU deserves better than Bill Johnson,” someone yelled.

“Students deserve better,” another added.

“Faculty deserves better,” another added.

“Youngstown deserves better,” a fourth person said.

“Alumni deserves better,” another added.

O’Neill wasn’t at the rally, but gave his degree to the Community Concerned for the Future of YSU group for the ceremony.

The rally in front of the Pollock House at Youngstown State University came amidst rising tensions, after an email was sent to students Thursday setting new policies on activities on campus.

The new policy from the school prohibits:

• Amplified sounds and other loud noises
• Tents or temporary structures
• Open flames
• Leaving trash, litter, materials or pollutants of any kind on university grounds

No large security detail was present at the rally.

“All winter alumni, students, and community expressed their concerned about Bill Johnson’s vision for YSU and now we see—he’s anti free speech, trying to chill students rights to criticize him and the administration, and changing longstanding policies without notice and with no input. Exactly what they feared,” the student group said in a Facebook post.

The rally was described as “a community reflection on (new President Bill) Johnson’s first semester” at the school.

According to the school, the purpose of the policy is to “ensure safety and security provisions as well as ensure free speech rights and responsibilities.”

Organizer Rose McClurkin said the rally is for students “to raise their voices in disagreement with the university’s administration.

“Some students today felt the need to exercise their first amendment right of freedom of speech,” Youngstown State University spokesperson Rebecca Rose said in a statement late Friday. “As a Penguin family, we respect their right to do so. The culture at YSU is built on dignity, respect, courtesy, and honoring each other as individuals. We are grateful that our students have done that and continue to do that

“This policy specifically addresses the appropriate use of university facilities and grounds, in the name of safety, and is meant to supplement YSU’s existing free speech policy. This has been a work in process for some time and, is simply meant to clarify our procedures and does not stop anyone from exercising free speech rights.”

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This story was originally published May 3, 2024 at 6:00 AM.