President Bloomberg talks CSU’s new philanthropic initiatives while addressing recent concerns in higher ed – The Cauldron
Cleveland State University (CSU) President Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D., remarked on CSU’s newest philanthropic initiatives and other recent strides at the latest faculty senate meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the College of Law’s Moot Court Room.
In accordance with the key priorities of “Cleveland State United,” CSU’s newly unveiled strategic plan through 2030, Bloomberg highlighted two major philanthropic initiatives. The first entails converting the parking lot on the first floor of the Theater & Arts Building into “The Galleries at E. 13th St,” which would provide another space for students and local community members to showcase their art and performance.
“This project fits perfectly with plans to further develop the arts scene connecting Euclid Avenue and Chester Avenue,” Craig Hassal, CEO of Playhouse Square, shared regarding the initiative. “Playhouse Square is thrilled about this investment and looks forward to partnering with Cleveland State University as this vision comes to life.”
The second philanthropic initiative is the transformation of some “substantially outdated” laboratories in the Science & Research Building into a more updated space called the “Biomedical Discovery Complex.” Such a transformation wouldn’t mean an entirely new building, but rather a renovated version of what already stands at the corner of Euclid Ave. and E. 24th St.
“We can repurpose, inbuild, renovate and reimagine what something could look like in a way that could be inspiring,” said Bloomberg.
Sizeable funds have been generated for both of these initiatives, with over $8 million dollars in philanthropic support raised for the Biomedical Discovery Complex.
“We are proud to partner with Cleveland State University in biomedical research, joint PhD programs and undergraduate research opportunities,” Christine Moravec, CSU alumna and director of the Research Education and Training Center at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, said. “The university provides vital talent in the biomedical sciences, data sciences and engineering. Their new biomedical discovery institute’s state-of-the-art facilities will strengthen our collaboration and future joint initiatives.”
Bloomberg also discussed the latest efforts in transforming Cleveland’s waterfront, a multimillion dollar city initiative that has featured the work of CSU alumni. From the creation of a sailing school on E. 55th St. to the potential establishment of a public park north of the Cleveland Browns stadium, Bloomberg highlighted other local opportunities for students.
“Those are remarkable opportunities for us to live into that mission that we are Cleveland’s university.”
Faculty and staff discuss Senate Bill 1, federal funds for grants and other matters of concern. Photo Credit: Mays Turabi
Moving forward despite anxiety in higher ed
Bloomberg shared that she hopes to pierce through the recent anxiety mounting in higher education in light of Ohio Senate Bill 1 and the new wave of executive orders, among other developments.
“I believe that we have [a] remarkable capacity to make a difference and keep moving forward despite a lot of barriers,” she emphasized. “…I don’t want us to relentlessly move toward something before we know that that’s the direction we’re going in.”
Recent attempts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and reform other parts of higher education statewide and federally have left students, faculty and staff uncertain about the future of their institutions.
For example, S.B. 1, formally known as S.B. 83, passed the Ohio State Senate on Feb. 12 despite overt community opposition. The bill seeks to eliminate all DEI programs and initiatives, though does not contain a clear definition of DEI. Additionally, the Trump administration issued a “Dear Colleague” letter on Feb. 14, giving schools and universities across the country 14 days to cut “race-based practices” or risk losing federal funding.
In an email to the CSU community sent Tuesday, Feb. 18, Bloomberg wrote:
“We will advocate for changes that support our students and our mission, and we will join with other higher education institutions, as well as local and state entities, in opposing federal changes that would be particularly detrimental to our mission. At present, this includes, for example, reductions in US Department of Education, NASA or NIH funding that would be detrimental to our core teaching, research and workforce development efforts. I note here that NIH research funding reductions have been the focus of multiple recent lawsuits, and these funding cuts have been temporarily blocked by the courts. We continue to work with community and national partners to communicate the detrimental impact of the proposed cuts and to urge an acceptable alternative.”
Faculty Senate President Carol Olszewski, Ph.D., advised staff and faculty to “support each other” amid the “alarming” possibility that NIH funding could be cut.
For now, the CSU Faculty Senate will retain its committee on DEI and will make adjustments only when the law requires it to.
“We are ready to pivot at any point that it becomes necessary to do so, to avoid harm to the institution, the faculty senate or individuals,” said Olszewski. “…We will be continuing our work with the values we hold on creating a learning place and a workplace where all members feel like a part of the community.”
Olszewski proposed the formation of alternative committees to replace DEI if such an event happens, such as a “community success committee.”
What’s next?
CSU administration, as said in the Feb. 18 email, intends to monitor the status of executive orders and pending state legislation, while maintaining communication with students, staff, faculty and the relevant deans and departments of the University.
“Meeting the educational needs of our students,” “model[ing] the shared values we endorsed in our strategic plan” and “maintain[ing] our focus on our strategic priorities” are the primary goals of the University outlined in the email, regardless of legislative and executive outcomes.
The next meeting of the CSU Faculty Senate will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26 in the Student Center Ballroom.