Code,500050
Subject,Morton Q. Levin
Date,10/31/14
Interviewer,Joseph Wickens
Abstract,"This interview was conducted as part of Cleveland State UniversityÕs 50th Anniversary Commemoration effort. Morton Levin is currently a trustee at CSU. A Cleveland-area native, Levin graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1959 before going on the earn his bachelorÕs and law degrees at the University of Michigan. After law school Levin returned to Cleveland to practice law with his uncles and soon became involved with CSU through his aunt, Maxine Levin. Levin helped to set up a special chair in the Urban College with his aunt for his uncle, Albert Levin. Morton served on the Cleveland State Foundation Board for a number of years before finally being appointed to the board of trustees in by Governor Strickland in 2008. Of particular interest is LevinÕs description of Maxine Levin, the role he has played with the CSU Foundation, the establishment of the Urban College chair, and discussion of the NEOMED building that is currently being constructed on Euclid Avenue."
Special Notes,
Minutes,
0,"Introduction. Born in Cleveland at Mt. Sinai Hospital and lived in Lorain, OH. Graduated from Shaker Hts HS in 1959 and went on to the University of Michigan."
1,"Michigan was one of the places that he had applied to, other members had gone there as well with some also attending Ohio State. Sister is a big OSU fan and calls him every year that OSU beats Michigan in football. Studied economics during undgrad which predisposed him to study law later. Graduated from law school in 1966."
2,Met his wife the day before law school commenced through a mutual friend. She was from the Detroit area and was a junior at Michigan when they met. The two decided to live in Cleveland because Morton could practice law with his uncles in Cleveland. 
3,"Morton's uncle on his father's saide, Albert, was very much involved in real estate in Cleveland in the 1960s. Owned land downtown that he ultimately sold off to WEWS news."
4,Bought a parcel of land at E. 22nd and Euclid Ave. Gov. Rhodes wanted to establish a University in every city so Albert began negotiations with Rhodes for the land. He passed away unexpectedly shortly after in 1969. 
5,Wife wanted to establish a chair at the new CSU. Wife was Maxine Levin. To have a chair you have to have a college and the Urban College was only an institute. Eventually a college was created. 
6,The chair was funded through multiple sources and came into existence around 1972-73. Mention of Jane Campbell attending CSU as an urban studies student during that time. At the time Morton was practicing law with his uncles still. This is how he became involved with the Urban College. Begins to describe Maxine and give some of her background.
7,Description continued. Mentions Cleveland Restoration Society. Mentions some of the other organizations that she was a part of. Girl scouts. Would actually wear her uniform into the office and attend matinees at Playhouse Square.
8,Describes what the she wanted the chair to stipulate. At this time Morton became involved with the Cleveland State University Foundation. Involved for a good number of years with the foundation. 
9,"""State money has been cutback and the role of the foundation has increased."" The Urban College had a visiting committee and he was a part of that with David Sweet."
10,"One time Sweet wanted to bring in 4-5 people to serve on the chair, Morton spoke up and said that that wasnÍt the nature of the chair and Sweet made him the chairman of the advisory committee for the position. ""That was a really great experience."""
11,"""David was terrific, he really engaged the visiting committee."" Describes how Sweet interacted with the committee. ""He really became a strong point of the college."" "
12,"Michael Schwartz later would bring the Urban College and Cleveland-Marshall back into the fold of CSU. Before, ""They seemed to be their own entities that just so happened to be a part of CSU."" Sweet went on to be president of Youngstown State University and is now retired and living in Charlotte, NC. Discussion shifts to activities of Maxine and Morton outside of CSU involvement. She was upset that some buildings downtwon were facing demolition along Prospect Ave. ""She led an effort to try to save those buildings."""
13,"""The goal was to save properties from being torn down."" Partnership with Midge Miller in renovating a row of townhouses. Mention of the Benedict House."
14,Later the Benedict House was donated to the Restoration Society. Description of the money that was put up and by who. 
15,Morton owned 10-15% of the building when it was initially donated.
16,"Went to practice law on his own around 1973-74. Partnered with some other fellows, forming Carney, Shannahan, Rains, and Levin. ""We had too many chiefs and not enough indians."" In 1982-84 Morton started doing his own real estate management. "
17,Discusses the relationship between urban planning/real estate development and historic preservation/restoration. Notes the pros and cons of starting from scratch and renovating historical buildings.
18,DoesnÍt recall a headline the interview asks about. Maxine asked Morton if he would want to be involved in the CSU Foundation.
19,"At that time it met 2-3 times per year. There was not a lot of money to management. ""They really didnÍt raise money then, that didnÍt happen until later, a little bit with president Schwartz and has really taken off with president Berkman."" "
20,"At the end of Schwartz's term Steve Minter came in from the Cleveland Foundation. This was when the Foundation really moved towards fundraising. Relates some of the dollar amounts tied to the Foundation and how they have increased. ""Steve Minter had a lot to do in bringing it to its current state."" "
21,"Morton had no role in bringing Minter to CSU. ""He already had an office at CSU to work out of."" "
22,"The structure of the Foundation has changed, committees have been added. Now meets probably 5-6 times a year. ""To show my age I am now emeritus with the foundation."" "
23,Morton describes a 100-minute forum that was held at CSU during the search for a president.
24,"""People could raise questions, concerns, and could voice what they felt the qualities the next president should have."" "
25,"The forum resulted in a report that was presented to the search committee. ""It served its purpose."" At that time Mike Schwartz was acting president of CSU. ""He really wasnÍt going to be a candidate but that changed during the search process."" "
26,"Morton didnÍt meet him prior to his becoming president, but had a positive reaction to it. The interviews were done quietly, some of the candidates didnÍt want the institutions they were working at to find out they were interviewing elsewhere."
27,"Schwartz was president for 1-2 years while Morton was on the board. ""He set the stage for president Berkman."" Mentions that CSU's campus buildings are as good as any universities in the country now."
28,"Berkman has gone even further in engaging the Foundation board and going out into the community to secure funds for the university. ""If it werent for Schwartz's work, Berkman couldnÍt be doing what he is doing."" Involvement at the Urban College led people to suggest he make a bid for the board of trustees."
29,"He made it known that he was interested in becoming a board member and was ultimately appointed by Governor Strickland. ""Being on the board of trustees at a uniersity is different than being on the board elsewhere because we select a president who in turn along with his staff runs the university. The biggest responsibility of the board is selecting a president."" "
30,The board only knows what the president chooses to tell them. Describes the role of boards of trustees elsewhere and how they compare to a university's board of trustees. 
31,"""The health center is one of his great ideas."" Describes the circumstances surrounding the new building and the function it will serve. ""ItÍs a good beginning."" "
32,"""The building is going to be terrific."" CSU really needed the whole site that it is positioned upon. "
33,"The Rascal House was there and a deal was made to get them off the site. ""They got a very good deal."" The board really wanted the Peabody's Nightclub to be moved off the site. ""We felt you really had to have that moved to make this whole operation work."" "
34,Mentions the creation of the International School by Berkman. Describes the expansion and growth of the school. 
35,"""If you havnt toured it you should go through it. These students are going to get a great education."" Housing development mentioned. The Langston along Chester Ave. mentioned. "
36,Describes some areas where new land in the area may be coming available near Prospect Ave. that could translate to further campus expansion. Discussion shifts to what the day of a board of trustees meeting entails. Meetings are focused with an agenda.
37,Master Plan will be discussed at the next meeting. Morton relates how a Master Plan is developed. The changing of the Innerbelt and proposed changes by the RTA has prompted a new Master Plan.
38,Description of Master Plan development process continued. There isnt a separate real estate committee on the board.
39,Morton describes the background of some of the current board members and how their input will be valuable as a result. 
40,"Maxine wanted to bring the Urban College to CSU as opposed to CWRU and Morton begins to explain why. Currently the college is ranked #2 behind Kansas' school. ""Its impact is really important."" Gives praise to the dean, Ned Hill. Describes some of the ways that the Urban College extends itself into the community in terms of performing studies on urban development, training, etc."
41,Mentions that at one point they were considering closing Cleveland-Marshall Law but they are very stable now. 
42,"""It wasnÍt until Akron U became so central to the city of Akron that business people began to say, ""we want that in Cleveland."""" This is one of the reasons why Morton wanted to become involved at CSU. ""CSU is a cornerstone of the east side of downtown and the students are part of the housing boom that is taking place downtown."" "
43,"""A lot of its timing."" Mentions some of the ventures that his uncle tried to pursue that didnÍt work out. Morton brings up the construction of the Convocation Center. "
44,"""It has been a cash drain since the day it was finished."" Feels that its an attribute but the problem that its only a few blocks away from Quicken Loans Arena. "
45,Dome for the Browns was different than what was trying to be done at CSU. Relates an issue with acts being shut out of Gund Arena (Quicken Loans) when they agreed to perform at the Convocation Center.
46,"Both sites will jointly be hosting the NCAA semifinals this coming season. Attended the first game in the Convocation Center. ""They played the Fab 5 of Michigan and I rooted for the team with the ball."" Relates the size of the crowds during a normal game."
47,Morton thanks the interviewer for the opportunity to reccollect. *END OF INTERVIEW*