Cutbacks darken University of Missouri Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - The University of Missouri Press has showcased its state's history and culture for more than 50 years but will close soon as part of a campus cost-cutting effort.

The move has prompted heavy criticism by faculty authors and renowned scholars. It comes as campuses across the nation make painful choices, forced to cut costs to cope with the intense budget pressures lingering from the recession. New university system president Tim Wolfe says the money-losing press will close effective July 1st. He wants to steer its $400,000 annual subsidy toward other pressing campus needs such as building renovations or faculty raises.

The Missouri press has published more than 2,000 books, including the collected works of state native Langston Hughes as well as numerous volumes on Mark Twain.