CSU Poetry Center faces uncertain future amid cuts
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Another beloved cultural export from Cleveland State University appears to be on the chopping block, though CSU says that's not what's happening.
Why it matters: For decades, the CSU Poetry Center has published award-winning books, hosted readings and given students rare hands-on experience in independent publishing.
- Its potential dismantling — on the heels of the shuttering of student radio station WCSB — has shocked readers, writers and the wider community, who wonder how much CSU is willing to sacrifice in its pursuit of austerity.
- The controversy comes as CSU continues cutting programs amid enrollment declines and budget pressures.
Driving the news: Scene Magazine first reported Wednesday that CSU is considering eliminating the Poetry Center's publishing arm as part of ongoing budget cuts.
- Such a move would "effectively gut" the whole operation, per the Poetry Center's former associate director, Hilary Plum.
The other side: The university disputes that framing.
- CSU spokesperson Kristin Broka tells Axios there are "no plans to close the CSU Poetry Center," but says the press' independent operations are not financially sustainable and are being "restructured."
Yes, but: Former Poetry Center leaders say the press is already sustainable. The Poetry Center had more than $100,000 in available funds (plus a $70,000 endowment) as of last summer, when it was "placed into a state of suspension," Plum told Scene.
What they're saying: Former Poetry Center managing editor Zach Peckham blasted CSU leadership around that time in a lengthy internal email obtained by Axios.
- "We are in an era of unprecedented institutional austerity," he wrote.
- "Here is one small part of the university that is doing undeniably impactful work with relatively very few resources ... and is actually generating a budget surplus. And this is somehow a budget crisis? Make that make sense."
The intrigue: The affiliated Lighthouse Reading Series has already gone dormant. Fellowships have paused. And the last remaining book in the pipeline has been handed off to the Ohio State University Press.
What's next: Broka said CSU is exploring a "variety of options" for the Poetry Center, including outsourcing distribution of the backlist, and plans to focus more heavily on student and community programming in the future.
- "We are in the early stages of this research."