Here at MPublishing we’re paying close attention to the news coming out of Columbia, MO regarding the University of Missouri and its newly “reimagined” university press. If you’d like to learn more about this emerging story, MU’s initial press release is available here. According to MU Chancellor Brady Deaton:
This new 21st century press will enable the University of Missouri to be an innovator and nationwide leader in university publishing at a time when traditional academic publishing is being challenged to maintain its position as the main venue for scholarly book publishing. By launching a press that is creative, cost-effective and in line with the university mission of educating students and advancing knowledge, MU can develop a model for a new kind of university press that effectively integrates a significant publishing enterprise with high-quality, hands-on education and training of students in new publishing technology and practices.
This story is receiving local, regional, national, and industry news coverage:
- “MU announces the opening of new, digital University of Missouri Press,” Columbia Missourian
- “Guest Commentary: New Model for University Press is Flawed” Columbia Missourian
- “Authors leave UM Press amid controversial shakeup,” Columbia Daily Tribune
- “After outcry, University of Missouri presents new plan for press,” Kansas City Star
- “Plan to Close University of Missouri Press Stirs Anger,” New York Times
- “New University of Missouri Press Director Defends Makeover,” Publishers Weekly
- “M-I-Z W-T-F,” Digital Culture Week
People talked somberly about the news that the University of Missouri plans to shut down its press. But so far Missouri has been the exception, not the rule. Most presses have survived the recession and budget cuts. Some, like Princeton University Press, had excellent years, according to Peter Dougherty, the Princeton press’s director and the new president of the association.