Filling Big Shoes

RB: I’m serious. There were times that I thought about bailing. It was very difficult for me. My parents were not able to help financially. Also, choosing a major that had a lot of resonance for me. Political science was something that was living, was active, was compelling.

IB: You’ve taught at both Prince-ton University and Berkeley College. What have you learned from that?
RB: Kids who go to places like Princeton have the tremendous liberty of focusing completely on their education. While understanding the limitations of [CSU’s] student body, I would like for us to search for ways to have the students be on campus more often, take more credits per semester and make faster progress toward the completion of their degrees.

IB: Outgoing president Michael Schwartz has done a great job transforming the CSU campus. Is there more work to be done?
RB: I think the next major step is increasing residential housing. That is the next major crunch. And by the way, I would also include more faculty living in proximity.

IB: Did you consider living near the campus?
RB: We did look in downtown Cleveland but could not find a place suitable for the events typically held at a president’s house.

IB: Where will you and your wife live in Cleveland?
RB: Right now, it looks like Shaker Heights.

IB: What relationship do you hope to have with Cleveland’s business community?
RB: A lot of the kids that are going to go to CSU are going to stay in Cleveland. ... The expansion of co-op education would be particularly useful. It would be a great opportunity for the business community to get an early look at students.

IB: What are the biggest changes you hope to make?
RB: To expand the university corridor and to see an increase in academic, commercial and business activity. Also, to expand research productivity ... in areas that would have an immediate effect for entities operating in Cleveland. Medical, some engineering opportunities as well as public health are ones that I’ve looked at.

IB: You have four children. What are they doing now?
RB: Two are in New York City. My son is pursing his film career as a restaurant manager, and my daughter is at Hunter College. Another daughter has finished at Florida International University and has applied to law school. And my youngest daughter is seeking the greater meaning of life.

 

IB: Given your background in economic development, what are your preliminary observations about Cleveland?
RB: This sort of inferiority complex needs to stop. People seem to think some cities are Teflon and never go through challenges. You only have to think back 30 years or so when New York City was bankrupt. What I see in Cleveland is an openness — an energy and a willingness to look for solutions. That’s going to be fun to be a part of.