Cleveland State University raised $648,130 from 2,810 different donors from all over the country during its annual Giving Day, Feb. 27, to support CSU programs, colleges, research, athletics and scholarships. The figure, not yet final, was down from last year's record breaking event.

Along with the traditional ways of giving, this year students were able to raise money through Rascal House, a popular local pizza shop, which donated 15% of proceeds from each purchase to the Lift Up Vikes! Food Pantry at CSU if students used the code “CSU25” at checkout. From 4-6 p.m., Rascal House held a “party” where members of the university had an opportunity to win a pizza party for their department.

At the party, members of the Annual Giving Team at CSU handed out t-shirts during the fundraiser in celebration of the importance of Giving Day. 

“I think Cleveland State plays a major role in the Northeast Ohio region, especially in Cleveland. Specifically, 80% of our graduates stay in the region, so by supporting CSU, you’re helping our region thrive and prosper,” said Shirley Reynolds, Manager of Donor Relations and Stewardship. “Cleveland State is affordable and I think the more people we get access to a great quality education, the better.”

The Annual Giving Team said the day was not only important for students’ education, but it allows for many departments, such as athletics, on campus to raise money for their yearly budget.

“(The university) is trying to be as fiscally responsible as we can. Some areas have more money than others,” John Templeman, Director of Annual Giving, said. “Athletic teams raise most of their budget money on Giving Day, and it’s really important to them that they’re successful.”

Protest for support staff on Giving Day

Recently, the university has made additional cuts to some of its programs, including in Athletics, following last year's campus-wide layoffs of staff and faculty as the university continues to grapple with its dire finances. The layoffs continue to impact community members.

A group of faculty, staff and students protested for support staff at lunchtime Thursday. 

The protest outside Berkman Hall was led by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents professional staff on campus. The bargaining unit organized an informational picket to advocate for supporting staff wages. 

“The most important things we are asking for are salary increases that can get us caught up with the cost of living and material recognition for length of service,” said one campus support staff member, who asked not to be named. The staff member said it was a coincidence that the protest was held on Giving Day, but added, "I have to admit, I loved the signs riffing on it.”

Some of the support staff at CSU have had to leave the university to advance in their careers elsewhere. The SEIU wants to provide the staff with negotiations in their contracts that give staff the incentive to stay to continue helping students. 

Members of the SEIU said they knew that bargaining with the university would be an uphill battle, but they are hopeful the university’s leadership will make the necessary changes. While support staff aren’t generally involved in shared governance like faculty, they used this protest as a way to make their message clear to President Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D.

“We want to believe you (Bloomberg) when you say CSU can be a place where everyone thrives,” said the staff member. “You have a chance to do something really transformative for staff and we hope our belief is justified.” 

The staff member said the organization will continue to create opportunities to make its voice heard, as it did on Giving Day.