[Vision2020] The loss of the UI Press

[hayfields@moscow.com]

Visionaries, Interim and Appointed Presidents, and Rep. Ringo,
I cannot be silent about the blow to the UI reputation, prestige and employee 
morale that goes with this decision.
I have been connected with the University of Idaho my entire life. My 
grandfather was a faculty member and an alum, my grandmother, mother, 
father,sisters, husband,brother and myself have all attended the University of 
Idaho, and worked for it as well.  
As a family I think we have one of the closest ties to the UI that any family 
can boast. It has educated and fed us.  For the last 10 years not one day has 
gone by when it has not been in my thoughts for one reason or another.  And I 
am not exaggerating.
But now I feel the UI administration is turning its back on those of us who 
looked to it as a beacon of hope in Idaho.  The closing of the UI Press 
underscores for us that its mission, its reason for being, is slowly being 
eroded.  The idea of education for the sake of education no longer seems to be 
at its heart.  Its programs selectively must "turn a profit" and show "added 
value". But this is not a grocery store, its a University. It is THE University 
in Idaho.  I understand that difficult decisions about money must be made, but 
those decisions are not being made across the board. They seem to be picking at 
small programs and cannabalizing them one by one to feed the appetite of 
athletics and  other programs.  We are in a budget crunch, but no one suggested 
letting the football team have an "interim" coach, selected from among 
available employees.  Athletics has not ever made money. They clear no profit, 
yet I see not one Vandal Athletic program being slated for removal.  If we are 
talking about dollars, why are we still continuing to host the Jazz Festival or 
entertain the notion of a Lionel Hampton Center? Both programs cost money not 
make it. And it is because they enhance the University experience. As does the 
UI Press. The UI Press lends academic integrity to the University of Idaho. It 
produces important academic journals and books. It offers something that no 
other college in Idaho does. Lets scrap the football or basketball. These are 
items already offered by the other colleges. Not this this gem, this small but 
important press.

 I urge all citizens and employees to speak up 
about the direction we want OUR University to take.
 
> Sincerely
> 
> Heather Huskey Jordan Alum 2003
> Moscow, Idaho  
> 


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