PhD thesis,
A study for establishing a university press in a small private university
United States International University, California, Doctoral Dissertation, (1984)
Abstract
The Problem. The question of the research was whether a university press in a small size institution (less than 5,000 students) could feasibly be organized and operated in a self-supporting manner. Method. An investigative study was made using questions basic to the publishing industry as it is structured in university press publishing and manufacturing of books. Questions covered what kinds of books to publish, considerations of staff, equipment, building area and finances for a small university press. Options available for marketing books, need for a self-owned printing plant and use of commercial printers for publishing books were discussed with further investigation concerning how expensive the operation would be and whether a return can be expected on the money invested by a parent institution in its publishing ventures. Independent verification of results was obtained by submitting the findings and conclusions to a panel of six prominent, knowledgeable men presently engaged in the printing and publishing industries. Copies of their letters were included in the Appendix and some of their suggestions were assimilated into the text. Results. It was found that an economical "standard book" can be designed which is relatively easy to produce in limited numbers of copies. It was also found that a publishing operation can run successfully and profitably with only one permanent staff member and two part-time, moderate-cost support members. Sample expenses for operations were figured, including those for setting up self-owned plants, with the depth of physical involvement in book manufacture examined. It was concluded that it is practical for a small private university to establish a university press within certain practical limitations on degree of involvement in actual book manufacture.
