Life: A letter to those interested in new study spots (pg. 2)
The Case Western Reserve
Observer
Friday, November 14, 2025 Volume LVII, Issue 12 Est. 1969
NEWS
USG holds Q&A with President Kaler Darcy Chew
Executive Editor Lucas Yang
Director of Design On Nov. 11, the Case Western Reserve University Undergraduate Student Government hosted their annual Q&A session with President Eric Kaler. Held in Eldred 203, 48 people attended the event. The one-hour session mostly consisted of Kaler answering precurated questions USG had collected from the student body and their general assembly and followed with a short open floor Q&A section at the end of the hour. “The purpose of Kaler’s joining the USG General Assembly meeting is to further foster a connection between USG representatives, the student body, and administrators,” fourth-year USG President Zelene Desire said. “As many people feel a disconnect from President Kaler, this forum is an opportunity to bridge that gap. Usually, these meetings would be an invitation to President Kaler to our regular GA in the Toepfer Room of Adelbert, but last year we expanded to allow more students to be a part of this discussion. Our goal then is to express to him students’ concerns on pressing issues on campus.” Below is The Observer’s breakdown of the curated question section. Administrative communication • While Kaler will not hold office hours to meet with community members, he highly encouraged students to email him at president@case.edu or bring concerns to student representatives like Desire. • The university is “working on driving brand awareness” through signage and advertisements, which they expect will improve the university’s notability. • Regarding the university’s ranking, Kaler said that college rankings have “a fair degree of subjectivity,” noting that CWRU is the “second fastest growing research research university in the country.” • Due to the tumultuous nature of the current government, the effects of federal and state policy on the university are constantly changing and can sometimes be subtle which
makes it “difficult to put [the university’s impacts and response] into formal communications channels.” Student life • Concerning the custodial changes to upperclassmen on-campus housing, Kaler explained it was to increase efficiency and reduce waste on campus. • Kaler gave updates on the Climate Action Plan that began in 2020, which includes electrifying about 44% of police vehicles, green building certifications as well as laboratory pipette recycling and CLEANR laundry microplastic filters. • Regarding student expression and referring to the Aug. 25 update to CWRU’s Freedom of Expression policy, Kaler said “We’ve made the rules and the procedure more flexible.” “We try to create a structure where demonstration and freedom of speech are allowed, but in ways that don’t disrupt the principal operations of the institution.” Federal funding • “Overall impact [of federal funding cuts] was really not terrifically difficult for us,” Kaler said. He also noted that undergraduate students would generally not be affected, but it would likely shrink graduate program sizes. • The university senior leadership team is working to lobby for maintaining research funding and making contingency plans should the university face severe funding cuts. DEI • While federal policy changes have “made it more difficult for institutions to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion,” Kaler said, the university is working to “increase everybody’s engagement and connectivity” and “[maintain] compliance with the federal law.” Campus safety • Pertaining to concerns about increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence, Kaler said the university would “not cooperate with them unless they have the appropriate legal framework or warrant. We will obey the law, but we will not proactively help.” • Kaler advised students ap-
The Undergraduate Student Government held their 3rd annual Q&A session with President Eric Kaler (top), allowing students to communicate concerns directly to members of CWRU’s administration. USG President Zelene Desire (bottom) introduced the event. proached by ICE to call CWRU Public Safety or the Office of the General Counsel. • Kaler acknowledged the rise in crime on campus and across Cleveland. He emphasized CWRU’s increase in the police force to “[enable] them to be more appropriately dispersed during peak times.”
man ability” and hopes students learn to harness AI as a tool for their future careers. • He does note that academic integrity is of the utmost importance, and students should follow their professors’ frameworks and limits on how AI can be used in the classroom.
AI • Kaler believes AI is an “extraordinarily powerful multiplier of hu-
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Students raised queries relating to student life, campus safety and the university’s financial decisions. All photos courtesy of Tyler Sun/The Observer