26 | FEBRUARY 20 • 2020
SEEKING ANSWERS
Soon after University Press authors and oth-
ers were notified of the dismissals, 60 indi-
viduals, including former University Press
Executive Director Jane Ferreyra, wrote a
letter of protest to Wilson, demanding the
dismissals be reversed.
“We are writing to express our shock and
anger at what is tantamount to the destruc-
tion of this venerable institution,” the letter
states. “In a series of moves that has left
both published and prospective authors in
the dark about the fate of their books, and
has undermined the viability of the press,
the new administration has, without notice,
discharged the press leadership without
cause.”
Some members of the Press Editorial
Board, a group of appointed faculty mem-
bers providing editorial direction, also
expressed their concerns to Wilson.
Elaine Driker of Detroit chairs the Board
of Visitors of the University
Press, who were notified of the
dismissals on the day they were
carried out. This 19-mem-
ber board has no operational
responsibility, but instead helps
with advocacy and fundraising.
Driker said many board members con-
tacted her immediately with questions and
concerns. A special meeting of the Board
of Visitors was held by phone on Feb. 9.
Sixteen members participated, showing
“real allegiance to the press. They want to
right the ship and expressed their concerns,”
Driker said.
The university’
s responses satisfied a
majority of those present on the call. Driker
said she and the board “were assured and
reassured that the future of the Press is
secure, including the Judaica and other
series.”
After the announcement of the shift in
organizational reporting to Wilson, Driker
said she was “fully supportive” and that it
“bodes well for the future of the Press.”
JEWISH CONNECTIONS
The late Leonard N. Simons, a Jewish busi-
nessman and philanthropist, began helping
the University Press raise funds during
the 1950s. He tapped many friends with-
in the Jewish community to support the
Press overall, particularly the publication
of Jewish subjects. The University Press
Building was renamed for Simons in 1994.
According to Simons’
daughter, Mary Lou
Zieve of Bloomfield Hills, he was an avid
book lover who donated a major book col-
lection to the university.
Zieve later chaired the first advisory
group for the University Press, at the request
of former University President David
Adamany. She is a member emerita of the
Board of Visitors of University Press.
“I’
m not worried about the Press,” Zieve
said. “It will go on.”
Jews in the D
We have no
intention of
dismantling or
discontinuing the
work of the WSU
Press ... We hope
to position and
strengthen the WSU
Press for the future.”
— M. ROY WILSON,
WSU PRESIDENT
Elaine Driker
COURTESY ELAINE DRIKER
WSU PRESS
continued from page 24