In the next few weeks and months more should be known about the potential cuts of instructors and programs that will take place at YSU.

Union leaders are questioning the university priorities and say focus should be on academics over athletics.

On WFMJ Today, YSU Ohio Education Association spokesperson Mark Vopat talked with our Anchor Lindsay McCoy, about YSU's announcement that due to record low enrollment it will cut 25 programs once students complete their courses.

But the union questions why the university is spending around $885,000 dollars more on athletic programs while cutting academics.

"We're literally adding three Division One sports, bowling, swimming, and lacrosse at a cost of almost a million dollars while we're cutting faculty and programs," said Vopat.

The OEA questioning priorities of athletics over education.

It emphasizes there are around 10,500 students and around 400 athletes.

The OEA says many students work full or part time and are subsidizing an athletic program that loses money to the tune of around 13 million dollars a year.

"The real elephant in the room is the $885,000 to increase our athletic budget. Right now our athletic program costs our students $1,000 dollars a year out of their tuition," added Vopat.

YSU has said it expects to lay off 20 instructors.
 
The OEA says YSU must let instructors who are not tenured know their status by November 15th.

Meanwhile the union describes instructors as anxious as they await meetings over the next few months to determine which faculty can be reallocated to other departments.

We reached out to YSU to comment this Sunday and will update our story when WFMJ News hears back from them.