In August, Cleveland State University eliminated The Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, The Mareyjoyce Green Office of Women’s Support Services and the LGBTQ+ Student Services office as part of compliance measures tied to Ohio Senate Bill 1 and reports submitted by conservative activist groups.

The decision ends three long-standing campus programs that provided student-focused resources outside of the classroom. University officials have not publicly addressed the closures, which follow requirements under the new state law restricting certain diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public colleges.

According to a representative of the university who wishes to remain anonymous, whistleblowers from CSU’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a national conservative student organization flagged the centers for review, citing activities that they argued fell under prohibited programming. SB1, enacted earlier this year, directs Ohio’s public universities to curtail offerings seen as advancing specific political or ideological perspectives. 

The President of CSU’s chapter of Turning Point USA told The Cleveland Stater that the organization recently rechartered, with new officers, a new faculty adviser and a new field representative. 

“As officers we know nothing about the flagging or closure of the center,” said Travis Bloom, current president of CSU TPUSA.  

Students that regularly utilized the centers have described the closures as destructive, stripping students of dedicated resources and spaces designed to provide tailored support. 

“The university folding to conservative pressure and removing centers hundreds of students had relied on proves the weakness of the administration and how little they care about their students,” said a student who asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. "They won’t even look us in the eye and tell us… no spine.”

The Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement provided an inclusive space for students to develop and implement programs for their fellow students, such as non-discriminatory programs.

The Mareyjoyce Green Office of Women’s Support Services had offered programming on gender equity, sexual health education and support services for students navigating issues such as harassment and family care.

The LGBTQ+ office provided advising, community events and resource referrals for students identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.

As the programs closed, CSU opened the Student Resource Center in Berkman Hall room 272 offering general support services. 

Cleveland State joins a growing list of Ohio universities scaling back student diversity and advocacy programs in response to SB1, which is shaping campus policy across the state.

The Stater reached out to the office of the CSU president for comment, but has not received a response.