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Statement about the future of the »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ Press and the Multicultural Center

07/29/2015

Statement from Lawrence Burns, Vice President of Advancement—The University of Akron:

“Media reports that The University of Akron plans to close its Multicultural Center and University Press are incorrect. Neither entity will close and »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥’s commitment to both diversity and the support of the humanities is resolute.

“The Multicultural Center’s operations are being consolidated with the university’s Office of Inclusion & Equity. This consolidated unit is being elevated and will report directly to the president.

“University Press operations are being transferred to »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥’s Division of Libraries.

“Working in close consultation with faculty leadership – including the head of the Faculty Senate and the president of the AAUP-Akron chapter – there was an in-depth and comprehensive nine-month review of university finances that led up to the development of the University’s budget. Unfortunately, position eliminations were a necessary part of the budget-balancing work to strengthen »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥’s financial health. As part of that process, it was determined that there would be no faculty layoffs to ensure the academic mission of the University was protected.”