To capitalize on the shale industry, the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees formally passed a resolution creating the Natural Gas and Water Resources Institute during a Wednesday meeting.
Sudershan Garg, chairman of the board, said a need for the institute existed, and its implementation helps YSU stay ahead of the curve.
The institute, which will provide students with the opportunity to take on a shale industry minor, will be open to all students.
Taylor Monroe, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said it’s possible that he could adopt the minor. He has paid attention to recent developments regarding potential for job creation, as well as injection wells causing earthquakes.
“I feel if it can be done safely, they should go ahead and do it,” Monroe said of the industry.
Although electrical engineering major Tim Irland said his environmental concerns and busy school schedule prevent him from enrolling in the minor, he joined Monroe and others in applauding the university’s initiative to provide students with an opportunity to make themselves more appealing to potential employers.
“This is pretty big,” junior engineering major Eric Stout said. “It will help out a lot of people.”
Monroe questioned the longevity of shale production in the area, but said that students who take the 20 credit hours required for the minor will benefit from it.
“This was definitely a good move on the university’s part,” Monroe said.
