Budget cuts affect nationally recognized WSU journals
The journals will need to become self sufficient in the next three years.Published 10/20/2011
Comments (1)Two journals maintained and supported by state funds will no longer receive support in the wake of budget cuts.
An editor from both publications, “ESQ: A Journal of the American Renaissance” and “Poe Studies: History, Theory, Interpretation,” Jana Argersinger, said the College of Liberal Arts and the English Department have agreed to provide gradually decreasing funds for the next three years until they are able to transition to self-funded entities.
“State funds have long supported editorial staff (who are) essential to the scholarly quality and day-to-day operation of the journals,” Argersinger said. “Replacing such support is a challenge, perhaps more so for humanities journals than for those in other disciplines whose funding systems are different.”
The two journals receive contributions from across the country. According to WSU’s website, “Poe Studies” includes articles that engage the period in which Poe wrote, and movements and authors associated with him. “ESQ” is devoted to the study of 19th century American literature.
Chief Budget Officer Joan King said the funding for the journal is under the umbrella of academic affairs cuts, which total $3.2 million. That section includes the consolidation of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
“The fact of the matter is, we’ve got horrific cuts to deal with,” King said. “I think this was one area where we’re not stopping them from publishing ... What we’re trying to do is bridge them to a point where they’re self-sustaining.”
According to an informational package provided to the Daily Evergreen by Argersinger, Chair of the English Department George Kennedy and publications coordinator Tanya Gonzales, the group has considered several options to fund the journals. These include increasing revenue, reducing production costs, accepting interns instead of teaching assistants and developing a university-level Center for Scholarly Publishing and Editing in the Digital Age.
“Again, we want to stress that although the loss of state funds presents a challenge, we're making the best of the situation and believe we can move forward positively,” the package reads.
Many users and contributors to the journals sent letters in July to President Elson S. Floyd in protest, and said the lack of funding may mean the end of the journals.
A Harvard student, Jacob Risinger, who is working on acquiring his Ph. D in English, wrote a letter to Floyd. In the letter, Risinger said as a graduate student in the humanities, he is aware of how difficult it is to make budget cuts to universities. He also said he’s come to rely on “ESQ” as a source of ideas in the field of 19th century American literature.
“I'm sure I speak on behalf of many graduate students from across the country when I ask you to please keep this journal afloat so that a new generation of scholars can take part in the conversation it has fostered and is fostering,” Risinger said.
An associate professor of English from Haverford College, Christina Zwarg, also contributed to the series of letters. She said withdrawing support would result in a serious blow to the reputation of WSU and the morale of the faculty. She also said if there appears to be a short term gain, the long term loss would be far more devastating.
“Needless to say, I am not alone in hoping you will reconsider and renew your support for these vital enterprises,” Zwarg said. “After all, how melancholy a refrain is ‘Nevermore.’”
“State funds have long supported editorial staff (who are) essential to the scholarly quality and day-to-day operation of the journals,” Argersinger said. “Replacing such support is a challenge, perhaps more so for humanities journals than for those in other disciplines whose funding systems are different.”
The two journals receive contributions from across the country. According to WSU’s website, “Poe Studies” includes articles that engage the period in which Poe wrote, and movements and authors associated with him. “ESQ” is devoted to the study of 19th century American literature.
Chief Budget Officer Joan King said the funding for the journal is under the umbrella of academic affairs cuts, which total $3.2 million. That section includes the consolidation of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
“The fact of the matter is, we’ve got horrific cuts to deal with,” King said. “I think this was one area where we’re not stopping them from publishing ... What we’re trying to do is bridge them to a point where they’re self-sustaining.”
According to an informational package provided to the Daily Evergreen by Argersinger, Chair of the English Department George Kennedy and publications coordinator Tanya Gonzales, the group has considered several options to fund the journals. These include increasing revenue, reducing production costs, accepting interns instead of teaching assistants and developing a university-level Center for Scholarly Publishing and Editing in the Digital Age.
“Again, we want to stress that although the loss of state funds presents a challenge, we're making the best of the situation and believe we can move forward positively,” the package reads.
Many users and contributors to the journals sent letters in July to President Elson S. Floyd in protest, and said the lack of funding may mean the end of the journals.
A Harvard student, Jacob Risinger, who is working on acquiring his Ph. D in English, wrote a letter to Floyd. In the letter, Risinger said as a graduate student in the humanities, he is aware of how difficult it is to make budget cuts to universities. He also said he’s come to rely on “ESQ” as a source of ideas in the field of 19th century American literature.
“I'm sure I speak on behalf of many graduate students from across the country when I ask you to please keep this journal afloat so that a new generation of scholars can take part in the conversation it has fostered and is fostering,” Risinger said.
An associate professor of English from Haverford College, Christina Zwarg, also contributed to the series of letters. She said withdrawing support would result in a serious blow to the reputation of WSU and the morale of the faculty. She also said if there appears to be a short term gain, the long term loss would be far more devastating.
“Needless to say, I am not alone in hoping you will reconsider and renew your support for these vital enterprises,” Zwarg said. “After all, how melancholy a refrain is ‘Nevermore.’”
Posted: 11/21/2012 2:25:12 AM
Thepsamnshapy