Youngstown State University will receive $1.5 million in state funds this year to upgrade its administrative computing systems, money originally slated for the Youngstown arena project.

In a performance audit of the university last year, Ohio Auditor Jim Petro said most of YSU's administrative computing systems ''are old and have been patched repeatedly and do not take advantage of current technology.''

Last week, YSU President David C. Sweet presented his 2003 budget proposal, which set aside $1 million to begin the computer upgrades.

''This $1.5 million will come on top of that,'' YSU spokesman Walter Ulbricht said. ''It will enhance the project already under way.''

Petro's audit said a similar project undertaken by Cleveland State University cost nearly $16 million, including costs of software and training.

State Sen. Robert Hagan, D-Youngstown, said the money move was included in a reappropriations bill passed Wednesday afternoon.

''Any money that was appropriated in the last capital bill that's unspent has to be reapppropriated,'' Hagan explained. ''We wanted to make sure it went to Youngstown, wherever.''

Youngstown businessman Bruce J. Zoldan, a longtime supporter of the proposed downtown arena, and former state Sen. Harry Meshel lobbied state legislators to take the money away from the arena project and give it to YSU.

Tribune-Chronicle

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2002