Cleveland State to Buy President Berkman a New Cleveland Heights Home

Berkman can finally hang up his home sweet home sign. This will be his third new home in less than two years. Berkman had previously sold his $800,000 Shaker Heights home in favor of paying $3,600 a month for him to live in a two-bedroom apartment in The 9, a luxury East 9th Street apartment complex.

The University will not release details of address and price, as the deal is not finalized. A move-in date has also not been disclosed.

In a statement sent to Patch, the University indicated that the purchase was not at the expense of students.

"Cleveland State University has purchased a residence in Cleveland Heights to serve as a home for its current and future presidents,” the University said in the press release. “No scholarship dollars or funds from the academic budget were used in this purchase.”

They also indicated that the move is meant to give the President more room to entertain.

“Presidential homes are used often to entertain current and prospective donors and are critical to the University's fundraising efforts, which are increasingly important to supporting our students and faculty,” the University said. “The president's current residence in downtown Cleveland is not suitable for even small fundraising events, necessitating the move at this time."

The move has been met with an online petition by more than 900 students, faculty, and alumni opposing it. The petition calls on the university to stop funding the purchase of Presidential housing and that Berkman buy his own home.