CSU removes alleged rapist from campus – The Cauldron

By Kourtney Husnick 

Cleveland State University announced updated steps taken to address concerns about a student charged with two counts of rape and one count of felonious assault on Tuesday, Nov. 26. 

The university has separated the student, senior Zach Hiidel, from campus until his case in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas is resolved, according to an email Randall Deike, the senior vice president of enrollment management and student success, sent out to students. 

Hiidel is also no longer employed by Cleveland State, and the university has removed the promotional video he appeared in that was pinned to the university’s Facebook page.

Cleveland State’s Office of Institutional Equity found that Hiidel did not violate university policy, according to a statement Hiidel’s lawyer, Tim Riley, provided to News 5 in their Nov. 22 report. 

Hiidel did not respond to a request as of The Cauldron’s time of publication. 

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you can contact the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center at 216-619-6192 to connect with an advocate and learn more about resources.