What Happened to WCSB?

On Oct. 3, Cleveland State University transferred operation of its FM radio station WCSB 89.3 to IdeaStream, an NPR affiliate - ending 49 years of student and community-produced programming, and displacing 100 volunteers who had been involved. Our long tradition of broadcasting diverse and community-engaged programming has been displaced and replaced with light jazz 24/7. Here's just a sampling of how the story unfolded in the local media (many more articles HERE):

• 10/3/25, News 5 Cleveland: Cleveland State University abruptly ends student-run WCSB radio, replaces with jazz run by Ideastream
• 10/7/25, Ideastream: Community members join Cleveland State students, alumni to protest end of student-run radio
• 10/14/25, Ideastream: CSU, Ideastream leaders address controversy over switch from student-run WCSB to JazzNEO
• 10/15/25, Signal Cleveland: Cleveland State gets promotional spots, Ideastream board seat in WCSB deal
• 10/17/25, Cleveland.com: Students, community decry ‘authoritarian takeover’ of CSU radio station by Ideastream
• 10/20/25, WKYC: 'Radio helps people find their voice': City Council defends students in Cleveland State radio overhaul fight
• 10/22/25, Spectrum News 1: CSU protests continue over student-run radio station transfer
• 10/31/25, Cleveland.com: Ohio sunshine law violation could overturn Cleveland State’s WCSB radio deal, legal expert says

If you know of a media story we missed, please let us know!

What's Next?

Community support has been overwhelming, and we thank all of the individuals and organizations who have spoken up in support of our work. Although things are very much in-process, we want to keep you all updated on the latest developments as quickly as we can.

Here's the latest (updated as of 11/03):

• CSU and Ideastream have shown no willingness reconsider their decision and restore control of the FM station to the former WCSB students and community members. We strongly believe that this decision is a disservice to our community, our volunteers, and the students of Cleveland State University, and that it may in fact have been done illegally. We are continuing our lobbying efforts to get CSU to reverse their decision, and very much appreciate your support in those ongoing efforts.
• We have made a formal proposal to the University that would allow students access to the Cole building studios (including access to the broadcasting equipment and music library that was paid for by your donations). This will give us the the ability to at least resume on-line operations and internet broadcasting by students.
• There may be other options rebuild and reform our platform in the future, such as establishing an indepenant internet-based presence, with the goal of sustaining and expanding our programming and community. However, in view of their currently limited time & resources, at this point the student staff will be focusing their energies on the return of student programmers to the studio.

Stay tuned for more! We will continue to post here with the latest news.

Actions You Can Take to Support Us

▶ Rallies, meetings, socializing etc.

• Fridays in November (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th) 5:30 - 8:30: Happy Dog Happy Hour. DJ Sets by XCSB programmers

▶ Sign the petition at Change.org (note: the donation step at the end is completely optional, and goes to Change.org, not to XCSB)

▶ Please consider (re)evaluating your charitable donations to CSU, Ideastream, &/or WCSB in light of current events. If you decide to change or withdraw any of your donations, please let us know.

▶ Continue to reach out to Cleveland State University and Ideastream - encourage them to restore our station to the airwaves: who and how to call!