AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 8, 2026
Students Mobilize to Support Printmaking Instructor
At Minnesota State University, Mankato, students are actively fighting to preserve the job of the campus's only printmaking instructor, Edson Rosas, whose position is scheduled to end this year as part of ongoing faculty cuts. The decision, announced to Rosas last month, has drawn a strong reaction from students and faculty alike, catalyzing a broader conversation about the impacts of years of budget reductions and rising tuition at the university.
Campus Advocacy Efforts Intensify
Students have responded with a range of advocacy efforts, including social media campaigns, petitions, and a series of screen-printing rallies. Over 350 students have signed a petition in support of Rosas, and more than 100 individuals—students and members of the campus printmaking club—attended a recent student government meeting to show support. Dozens of students have participated in events featuring custom “Save the print studio” shirts, many of which were printed by Rosas himself.
"We haven’t received any information of how this decision was made," Rosas commented, expressing concern about the lack of transparency and potential effects on the arts at Minnesota State Mankato.
Impact on Art Programs and Students
Rosas has served as a vital mentor and advocate for art students since joining the faculty in fall 2024. He teaches full printmaking courses, supervises independent studies, manages the graduate program, advises student organizations, and supports the campus gallery. During the current semester, his three courses enrolled 207 students. Students report that his collaborative teaching style has created a close-knit community within the printmaking studio, which many fear will be lost if his position is not renewed.
Creative arts department chair Geoff Herbach stated that losing Rosas "puts a pretty good-sized hole in our curriculum," emphasizing that the studio's collaborative environment is difficult to maintain without a full-time faculty member.
Ongoing Faculty Cuts and University Budget Issues
The university is facing a $22 million budget deficit, leading to a decision in August to cut around 60 faculty and staff positions over the next two years. Of these, 43 positions will be eliminated through staff attrition and retirement incentives, with 17 current employees losing their jobs. These cuts come on the heels of two consecutive years of tuition increases—totalling a 6.37% hike this school year—and significant reductions in degree offerings, including the elimination of almost 100 degrees and certificates in May 2025.
Minnesota State Mankato is the largest institution in the Minnesota State system, which is itself grappling with a $30 million structural deficit and has considered potential campus closures.
Challenges for Printmaking and Arts Education
In addition to Rosas's role, recent faculty changes have affected other departments, with adjunct instructors filling vacant positions in painting and creative writing. Both Rosas and Herbach argue that adjunct faculty cannot provide the same level of studio access and supervision, which is crucial due to the use of specialized materials and equipment.
Students, including future teachers like Autumn Kloss, have voiced their frustration at feeling forced to justify the value of arts education amid diminishing support. "It’s very disheartening to see a university have such disregard for such a unique program," Kloss said.
Debate Over the Value of the Arts in the Age of AI
Some students see the planned elimination of Rosas’s position as emblematic of broader challenges facing the arts, especially as technological advances like AI raise questions about the future of creative disciplines. Interdisciplinary studies major Eric Goulson highlighted the difference between digital and hands-on creation, emphasizing the role of printmaking in fostering community and practical skills. "It brings a community together," Goulson noted, defending the continued relevance of arts education.
University officials responded by saying they "regret the alarm" caused by staffing decisions and pledged to continue supporting academic programs. Spokesperson Dan Benson added that future staffing could change if the budget outlook improves or if other faculty leave.
Related coverage
Source: startribune.com.
