Firings attract attention of nationally known reporter

A reporter who has often written for The Washington Post visited Emporia State’s campus Wednesday to write about the recent changes in academic programs at Emporia State, including the terminations of 33 faculty members regardless of tenure status.  

Jon Marcus, a higher education reporter for The Hechinger Report, spoke with students, faculty and administration about the implications of ESU’s changes for rural students not just in the area, but across the country. The Hechinger Report is a national non-profit newsroom that reports on inequality and innovation in education, according to their website.  

“It’s an incredibly important topic that doesn’t get covered enough,” Marcus told a Bulletin reporter, adding that he wasn’t able to give further information about when the article would be published.  

Noah Eppens, editor-in-chief of The Bulletin, said they were grateful the story is gaining national attention in hopes to evoke more change. 

“What’s happening at Emporia State right now is incredibly important and will have an impact not only on the campus itself, but Kansas and national higher education,” Eppens said.