Dive Summary:
- Responding to growing backlash regarding the fate of its nationally known publishing venture and the dismissal of the director who led it to prominence, the University of New Orleans issued a statement Monday reiterating that UNO Press is not closing, but going on a "brief hiatus" in which no new manuscripts will be accepted as the school's administration reviews the press' business plan.
- News of the changes spread this past week, leading students and authors to launch a petition drive in support of ousted UNO Press director and sole UNO Press employee, professor Bill Lavender--who also lost his position with the school's low-residency writing program for master's of fine arts students.
- Lavender's dismissal was part of the school's response to state-mandated budget cuts for Louisiana's public universities.
From the article:
Amid a growing controversy about the fate of its nationally regarded book publishing venture — and the dismissal of the director who built it — the University of New Orleans issued a statement about UNO Press on Monday. ...