President Bloomberg stands by Ideastream partnership that overtook WCSB, “impressed with” student dissent – The Cauldron
Cleveland State University (CSU) President Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D., stood by the university’s decision to partner with Ideastream and cut WCSB 89.3FM student radio station at the latest meeting of the CSU Faculty Senate on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
“I do stand by the decision that the [CSU Board of Trustees] made and that I made.”
Just before the meeting began at 3 p.m., an email was sent to the campus community providing an update on the CSU-Ideastream strategic partnership, which was initially announced in early October.
The email shared that representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education formed a steering committee “to steward the partnership in a manner that meets our academic goals in both colleges.” The committee also includes Ideastream leaders.
“This inaugural steering group will design specific partnership actions and student experiences (e.g., internships, capstone projects, media production, job site tours and job shadowing) that pair CSU scholarship and talent with Ideastream’s storytelling and media expertise, enhancing both in the process,” read the email.
The committee held what Bloomberg called its first “strategy mini-summit,” and will continue to meet regularly throughout the fall and winter.
Bloomberg acknowledged that WCSB student leaders, who now refer to themselves as XCSB, “are not happy,” though describes the conversations she has had with them as “respectful.” She also applauded their dissent for its “professionalism.”
“To the best of my knowledge, every student who is engaged in exercising their free speech and expressive activity rights has done so within the boundaries of what is appropriate and ethical and acceptable…,” said Bloomberg during the faculty senate meeting. “I’m sure that the students affiliated with XCSB may not love hearing me say this, but I’m impressed with the professionalism that they have brought to their dissent.”
She added that technology professionals across campus and CSU administration are “ready to support” students if they decide to launch a new media organization. They would have access to the same space, equipment and student organization funding.
“I’m not going to force it to happen,” said Bloomberg. “The faculty aren’t going to force it to happen. Administration isn’t going to force it to happen. It’s got to be the students who want to do it.”
The next meeting of the CSU Faculty Senate will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Meetings are regularly at 3 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.
CSU Faculty Senate during its recent meeting on Oct. 29. Photo Credit: Mays Turabi
CSU Faculty Senate during its recent meeting on Oct. 29. Photo Credit: Mays Turabi