Introduction
Established as a state-assisted university in 1964, Cleveland State University assumed a tradition for excellence when it adopted the buildings, faculty, staff and programs of Fenn College, a private institution of 2,500 students. In 1969, the College of Law became part of Cleveland State University.
A young university with a rich history, Cleveland State University’s historical roots go back to the 19th century, when the Cleveland YMCA began offering free classes in 1870. The YMCA program was formalized in 1881, reorganized in 1906 as the Association Institute, which then became the Cleveland School of Technology and later established as Fenn College in 1929. A significant contribution of Fenn College was its pioneering work in developing internships for students in engineering and business. These internships, as joint ventures between the College and local businesses and industries, provided students with professional contacts and experience, as well as an affordable education. Historic Fenn Tower, now student housing, stands as a reminder of these early years when the University already had a strong commitment to equal access to higher education.
The Cleveland State University College of Law traces its origins to the founding of Cleveland Law School in 1897 as the first evening law school in the state and one of the first to admit women and minorities. In 1946, Cleveland Law School merged with the John Marshall School of Law, founded in 1916, to become Cleveland-Marshall Law School. Cleveland-Marshall became part of Cleveland State University in 1969.
Throughout its long history, Cleveland State University and its predecessors pioneered work in developing student internships with business and industry, expanding an extensive co-op program and attracting students who did not otherwise have access to higher education. Today, Cleveland State continues to grow by supporting the flexibility of its course offerings, programs and affordable price with an excellent faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.
Mission Statement
Empowering Students. Creating Knowledge. Engaging Communities. Shaping Our World.
Vision Statement
We will be a nationally recognized and student-focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable and Engaged Learning opportunities for all. We will be both:
- An anchor institution for Northeast Ohio, recognized for cutting-edge research, creative activity and innovative collaborations that drive economic development and enrich the lives of our students and citizens, and;
- A beacon institution whose vitality attracts diverse and talented students, faculty and staff from within and outside the region, thereby enhancing our distinctive and inclusive living, learning, and working environments.
A Dynamic Campus Environment
The Cleveland State campus consists of 85 acres-the largest footprint in downtown Cleveland-with 40+ buildings used for teaching, research, housing, administration and recreation. Nineteen-story Rhodes Tower contains the University Library, classrooms and many faculty offices and is a striking feature on the Cleveland skyline. University buildings feature a blend of old and new architectural styles, with historic landmark Mather Mansion sharing the stage with such modern facilities as Glickman-Miller Hall, home of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, and the 13,000-seat Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center. The University boasts more than 200 student organizations, including 13 national fraternities and sororities and 18 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s varsity sports.
A dramatic makeover reinvigorated the CSU campus, complete with inviting buildings and spaces that reflect and embrace the excitement of the urban landscape. In the Center for Innovation in Medical Professions, future doctors, nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and other health care professionals are training to work together by learning together, side by side. A 100,000-square-foot addition to the Washkewicz College of Engineering includes research labs, teaching labs and simulation labs, as well as the Dan T. Moore MakerSpace, where prototyping and fabrication technology provides a proving ground for creativity and entrepreneurship. The revitalization evident across CSU is having a dynamic ripple effect and sparking neighborhood development in and around Cleveland’s bustling Campus District.
All-in-1 Enrollment Services
Campus411 All-in-1 Enrollment Services is a one-stop student services center that assists students with issues regarding their admission, academic records, financial aid, registration and student account. The center provides a centralized office where the University community is effectively and efficiently served, resolves issues in support of educational goals and helps students manage their own academic life. All-in-1 Enrollment Services is located in Berkman Hall, room 116. Visit the webpage for more information.
Accreditations
Cleveland State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). For more information, please use of the following contact information: HLC, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604, (800) 621-7440, info@hlcommission.org.
In addition, individual Cleveland State programs hold the following professional accreditations:
Business Administration: Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources, and the Doctor of Business Administration programs of the Monte Ahuja College of Business are accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The Accounting programs (BBA and Master of Accountancy) are among 189 institutions worldwide that have additional specialized accreditation in accounting.
Chemistry: The Department of Chemistry’s undergraduate curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society. Its clinical chemistry Ph.D. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry.
Education: Preparation programs offered by the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education for prospective teachers and other school personnel are fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The School Counseling and the Clinical Mental Health programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Counseling Psychology specialization in the Urban Education Ph.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Licensure programs housed outside the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education that are included in the CAEP accreditation structure include the School Psychologist program approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the School Speech/Language Pathologist program approved by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), and the Music Education program approved by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Engineering: The Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. The Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology and in Mechanical Engineering Technology programs are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. Graduate programs in Engineering are reviewed through regular self-studies and by other state/Ohio Department of Higher Education agencies.
Law: The College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
Music: The graduate and undergraduate curricula in the School of Music are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Nursing: The undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Occupational Therapy: The program is approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Physical Therapy: The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Physics: The Master of Science in Medical Physics is approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs.
Psychology: The Psychology Specialist (School Psychology) program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Public Administration: The Master of Public Administration curriculum is approved by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
Social Work: The School of Social Work curriculum is accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by the Council of Social Work Education. The School of Social Work chemical dependency certificate is accredited by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
Speech and Hearing: The academic and clinical programs in Speech-Language Pathology are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Urban Planning and Development: The Master of Urban Planning and Development curriculum is approved by the Planning Accreditation Board.
Professional Licensure Disclosures
Academic degrees and programs offered by Cleveland State University that lead to licensure and/or advanced practice certification/endorsement, whether delivered online or face-to-face, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.
Requirements for licensure and/or advanced practice certification/endorsement eligibility vary from one profession to another and from state to state.
For students who wish to practice in a state other than Ohio, please contact the program director/advisor to discuss if you will need to satisfy additional requirements in that state.
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE)
OIE promotes student success by administering the University’s Policy Against Harassment, Discrimination, Sexual Violence and Retaliation, and the University’s Equal Opportunity policy statement. OIE oversees the University’s compliance with federal and state laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and ADA that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, sex, pregnancy, religion, color, age, national origin, veteran and/or military status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or parental status.
OIE is also the office of the Title IX Coordinator and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Title IX is the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination by schools on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities. Title IX requires that the University ensure that all students have equal access to education, regardless of gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or gender identity. Sexual harassment and sexual violence (including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, domestic abuse and stalking) are forms of gender discrimination prohibited by Title IX. OIE works with other campus offices and members of the campus community to proactively prevent, investigate and respond to reported gender discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence, whether it occurs on or off campus, when it affects a student.
OIE investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and retaliation, and takes formal and informal measures to eliminate such conduct and its effects. To do this, OIE issues academic and other accommodations so students have the same opportunity to succeed as students not experiencing these issues. Some of the ways in which OIE assists students is by providing information and resources (counseling, medical, advocacy, safety planning and other) and connections to available resources; and issuing accommodations (no contact directives, alternative schedules or course sections, change of living arrangements, extended deadlines, alternative assignments, new quiz or exam dates, excused absences, late drop or withdrawals without negative impact, safety and protective measures, among others). OIE supports students who are survivors of sexual or gender violence, who have previously experienced discrimination, and who are pregnant and/or parenting.
The University’s nondiscrimination policies and procedure are available on the OIE and Title IX website: https://www.csuohio.edu/institutional-equity/institutional-equity or https://www.csuohio.edu/titleix/titleix. OIE can be reached by email at OIE@csuohio.edu or by calling 216-687-2223. OIE is located in the Administration Center, Room 236.
University Ombudsperson
The University Ombudsperson has the official role of protecting the interests and rights of all members of the Cleveland State University community by being an impartial, trustworthy person to oversee conflict-resolution procedures and assure due process for all parties involved in a conflict. The ombudsperson strives to achieve informal resolutions of disputes; provides informal, confidential mediation; advises complainants of their rights; identifies the correct bodies to which petitions and requests should be addressed; helps complainants prepare supporting paperwork in clear and concise form; and offers an avenue through which persons with grievances can express their concerns and develop a constructive perspective on their situation.
A major goal of the ombudsperson is to serve as a reliable, comprehensive source of information about university rules and procedures at all levels in order to assure that all members of the institution have full knowledge of, and access to, all appropriate conflict-resolution processes. Achieving informal resolutions depends substantially on aiding disputants to appreciate the various factors that affect their situation and understand the options available to them.
The ombudsperson maintains strict confidentiality regarding all interactions related to the role. The parties involved in a dispute are assured that all disclosures to the ombudsperson are confidential and that they retain control over information shared with the ombudsperson as well as actions taken by the ombudsperson on their behalf. Neither party is obligated to accept either in full or in part the recommendations of the ombudsperson; the parties always retain the right to pursue other options.
The ombudsperson’s purpose is to protect the rights of the individuals on both sides of the conflict and help them acquire the full benefit of due process; it is not the purpose of the office to initiate actions to achieve institutional ends. The ombudsperson strives to maintain an atmosphere of fairness and due process for all parties and to promote an environment conducive to learning, reasoned discourse and mutually acceptable conflict resolution.
With the exception of mandatory reporting as required by law, if a visitor wishes to create a record or put the University “on notice”, we can provide information on how to do so. However, because of the confidentiality inherent in Ombuds communications, communication with this office does not constitute notice to Cleveland State University.
Jill Rudd
University Ombudsperson
2121 Euclid Ave., MU 245
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-687-3993
j.rudd@csuohio.edu
Alumni Association
The Cleveland State University Alumni Association and Department of Alumni Affairs supports the mission and vision of the University by facilitating opportunities that connect its students, graduates and the community through networking, volunteer and outreach activities. As a student, you may be wondering what the CSU Alumni Association has to do with you if you haven’t even graduated yet. The answer is plenty. Campus involvement is one of the best ways to become a part of CSU and ensure that you truly have an engaged learning experience.
The 1964 Society is a student organization that forges relationships between Cleveland State students and alumni. Its goal is to enhance the student experience by engaging students in opportunities that strengthen lifelong loyalty to the University.
Our purpose is to:
- Connect students and alumni through programs and events that support networking
- Educate fellow students about the importance of philanthropy and the role of donors at the University
- Introduce students to the CSU Alumni Association before graduation by bridging the gap between the campus and corporate experiences
- Promote a positive experience for fellow students at Cleveland State to support future alumni involvement
After graduation, recent graduates can get involved in young alumni programming offered by the Young Alumni Council. The purpose of the young alumni program is to identify and address the needs of alumni who are 35 years old or younger by providing educational, philanthropic, social and networking opportunities. The Council’s objective is to create a continuum from student to alumnus, and foster relationships with young alumni that lead to lifetime involvement.
For more information on the CSU Alumni Association, the Young Alumni Council, or the 1964 Society, please call (216) 687-2078, email alumni@csuohio.edu, or visit www.csualumni.com. Follow the CSU Alumni Association on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
CSU Foundation
The Cleveland State University Foundation works to secure and manage private gifts for the advancement and benefit of Cleveland State University and its students, providing the financial foundation for success now and in the future. Incorporated in 1969 and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, operating as a private foundation in accordance with the laws of the state of Ohio. The Foundation raises funds from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations through targeted strategies that advance CSU’s critical importance to economic and workforce development in Northeast Ohio. With state support providing just under 25 percent of the University’s budget, private funds are more essential than ever for maintaining and growing the academic excellence that defines Cleveland State University.
Phone: (216) 687-5522. Webpage: http://www.supportcsu.org
Information Services and Technology
The Information Services and Technology (IS&T) division is responsible for ensuring that Cleveland State University’s information technology resources are aligned with the strategic priorities of the institution. We ensure that the IT services are dependable, easy to use, cost-efficient and operate effectively.
The ultimate purpose of IS&T is to support CSU’s core missions of education, research, service and accessibility. We recognize that these can only be achieved by working in partnership with students, faculty and staff to reach their goals.
IS&T is responsible for developing effective IT policies, procedures and standards. IS&T strongly advocates the use of and adherence to standards as a key step in providing a scalable, common and affordable CSU computing environment.
IS&T strives to deliver customer-focused quality services and support products that add value to the overall CSU community.
Academic Assessment
Each program on campus assesses student learning outcomes as an integral part of the continuous improvement approach to student learning, instruction and curriculum design. The Office of Student Learning Assessment coordinates all University-wide assessment efforts focused on learning within the major, general education and student service programs. Systematic assessment of student learning incorporates the evaluation of papers, projects, portfolios, pre- and post-tests, licensure and other examinations in order to determine whether the University’s expectations and goals for learning are being achieved. Current and former students’ views about the learning process are also solicited through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. Additionally, employers and community members are involved in providing feedback, which is used to continually improve all academic and non-academic programs at our University.
Tobacco Free Campus Environment
Since 2013, when the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees adopted the University’s Tobacco Free Campus Policy, CSU prohibits smoking in/on all University buildings and grounds. The initiative for this policy came from within the Cleveland State community and enjoys wide support from students, faculty, staff and administrators. Cleveland State University seeks to foster a respectful, safe and healthy learning and working environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. CSU prohibits tobacco use to address the health risks associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. CSU also seeks to demonstrate the model of a tobacco free workplace for students who may be seeking future employment with tobacco free organizations.
Further, the University complies with Chapter 3794 of the Ohio Revised Code, adopted by Ohio voters in November 2006, which further restricts smoking in public areas.
The Tobacco Free Campus policy, FAQ about our policy, and free or low-cost tobacco cessation support services to help employees and students quit are available on the University website at www.csuohio.edu/tobaccofree. The Tobacco Free Campus Policy Training, Tobacco Free Campus Leader/Supervisor Toolkit, Tobacco Free Campus policy hot card, and online reporting and violation form are also available on the website. We encourage all faculty, staff and students to complete the training to better understand where individuals can smoke and where they cannot, as well as to help us increase the respect and compliance of the policy.
Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedure
- Cleveland State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution. No person will be denied opportunity for employment or education or be subject to discrimination in any project, program or activity because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or other protected veteran status.
- Inquiries concerning implementation of the above policy and compliance with relevant statutory requirements, including, inter alia, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 may be directed to Maria J. Codinach, Director of the Affirmative Action Office, Administration Center, Room 236, 216-687-2223.
- Students who wish to seek accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 must request such accommodations and should contact either the Office of Admissions or the Office of Disability Services, Rhodes West 210, 216-687-2015, for information or to request accommodations.
- Complaints of discrimination, including unlawful harassment, may be addressed through the Affirmative Action Office and the Student Grievance Procedure outlined in the Cleveland State University Student Handbook, copies of which are available through the university’s Department of Student Life, Student Center 319, 216-687-2048.
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