"We want to make sure that we maintain a presence in Jefferson County," says YSU vice provost Dr. Jen Pintar.

And as the Eastern Gateway saga continues to play out, so is YSU's pivot to keep that promise.
Dr. Pintar announced that the university's application to establish a physical location in Steubenville had been approved.
That's where Eastern Gateway's headquarters are.

Dr. Pintar made the announcement during Wednesday's meeting of the YSU academic senate. The academic senate represents university faculty and recommends policy on its behalf.

That same body also unanimously approved to add a slate of 32 associate degree and certificate programs.
While they're available to any and all students, the move is meant to make it easier for Eastern Gateway students to hit the ground running at YSU.

"Our faculty pulled together even during spring break and worked hard on looking at the programs being offered at Eastern Gateway, looked at the programs we offer at YSU, and how we can work with the students to equate classes and get them moving in a timely fashion," Pintar said.

The academic senate will review more than 20 additional certificate programs at a later meeting.

"It's a nice, seamless transition of programs, but it's also some adds that we hadn't considered before," added Pintar. "We're excited to see the enrollment that was had at Eastern Gateway and we know we can really work with those students."

Some 300 EGCC students have already applied to YSU.

While the announcement of a new location became official, Dr. Pintar could not say whether that will take the form of a new facility or a move into existing ones.