Why did the Clarion Workshop leave MSU?
Three years ago, MSU decided to pull the plug on its financial support of the workshop. In response, several previous faculty members formed a nonprofit foundation with Kate Wilhelm at its head to look for the best place and the best way to continue. This process has taken more than two years. In the end, there were only three actual offers — one from Lenoir Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina, one from UC San Diego, and one from Michigan State’s Office of Outreach and Engagement. Neither the Lenoir Rhyne nor the Outreach proposal provided full funding. They were good offers, and could have been made to work, but they did not provide any guarantees beyond a year, and left the Foundation responsible for unforeseen expenses and a small, fully foreseen annual shortfall. Only UC San Diego’s offer covered all expenses and guaranteed that committment for a five year period.
