Arts and Science college will eliminate the Center for Literary Arts
The center is set to close July 1.
Published March 30, 2009
Due to budgetary cuts, MU's Center for the Literary Arts will close July 1.
The College of Arts and Science will eliminate the program, which helps foster and support the literary arts on campus.
The CLA encompassed many literary arts programs and events, and its purpose was to support and enhance literary arts throughout departments on campus. It also funded Center: A Journal for the Literary Arts.
CLA's interdisciplinary role influentially affected departments including theatre, classical studies, German and Russian studies and romance languages.
CLA Director Scott Cairns said a reduction in the budget would be temporary until circumstances improved. Instead, the CLA was cut, and now the support of groups within the CLA will go to the creative writing program.
"In general, I believe that administrators at every level are doing their best to shore up our core degree-granting programs," Cairns said. "They haven't many options here. We may end up being somewhat less competitive in attracting and retaining top faculty and students, but I trust we'll be able to catch up when circumstances allow."
The CLA losses include fewer literary events each year -- support now based solely on volunteer labor for the Center -- no funding for departments' literary activities, no funding for students attending professional writing conferences and workshops and no funds to competitively recruit students.
Cairns said with the closing of the CLA, support for the literary arts should continue at MU.
"We trust with additional funding from the College of Arts and Science, and the creative writing program, we will be able to continue much of the programming accomplished by the CLA," Cairns said.
The theater department, although losing large support for guest writers and other programs, is looking at the future optimistically.
"We were very grateful, perhaps a little spoiled, to have a lot of wonderful playwrights," theater professor David Crespy said.
With a supportive community, Crespy said the arts can continue and will flourish at MU.
"You got to hope that our public that supports the university and the legislature that supports the university continues to do so," Crespy said.
Crespy said Arts and Science Dean Michael O'Brien not only faces cutbacks in the literary arts, but the many other departments comprising the college.
"As far as I understand it, there's a reallocation of funds to make the best out of a really lousy situation," Crespy said. "I would hate to sit in his position and make the difficult decisions he makes."
Crespy is not worried for the future of the theatre department. The department keeps busy, and next year's schedule consists of 11 plays, including a brand new play, as well as many other productions and events.
Crespy said he has faith in the economy turning around, and the students within the theater department will continue to receive the same education given before the budget cuts.