Mankato students push to save printmaking professor’s job as staff cuts continue

MANKATO — Students are rallying to save the job of the only printmaking instructor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, who found out last month that, as of right now, his position won’t be renewed at the end of the year. It’s sparked an intense reaction at Minnesota’s second-largest university, where students have already seen dozens of cuts to faculty and staff , the elimination of almost 100 programs and steep increases in tuition . Edson Rosas is an assistant professor, but his position is “fixed term,” meaning it’s up for renewal annually. His position won’t be renewed and a job search isn’t planned to fill it, said Minnesota State Mankato spokesperson Dan Benson. Students are also worried about the future of the printmaking program. A statement from the school said there’s been “no decision to end any art programs or printmaking programs.” But it’s not clear how classes will continue with no printmaking professor at the helm. Advertisement The concerns have sparked social media and letter-writing campaigns, with more than 350 students signing a petition to support Rosas. More than 100 supporters and members of the campus printmaking club jammed into a student government recent meeting to plead on his behalf. Dozens have showed up to a handful of screen-printing parties, walking away with shirts that say: “Save the print studio.” Students say Rosas has made a big difference in their lives since he started teaching printmaking in the fall of 2024, and he’s been an inspiration and mentor to other LGBT artists. On a recent day, Rosas scraped a squeegee blade across a thin silk screen, smiling as he pressed black ink onto a red shirt that now said, “Edson is my friend.” Behind Rosas, a sign in big block lettering said, “STOP FACULTY CUTS.” In front of him, a line of dozens of students stretched down the hall, all of them waiting to hand over their shirts for a printing by Rosas, as part of an effort to save his job.