“For the last nine months, the survival of the Utah State University Press has been in doubt, with fears that deep cuts being made to public higher education in Utah would end up killing off the publishing outlet,” notes Scott Jaschik in a Chronicle of Higher Education report. But now, he says, there’s “news that the press will survive” — by becoming part of the university library (and thus saving on overhead) and, esentially, going free online. Or, as Jaschik puts it, embracing open access, in which most publications would be available online and free.”

According to Jaschik, “A statement from the university noted that budget considerations played a role in the shift, but stressed that the university and the press believed that the time was right for it.”

Meanwhile, director Michael Spooner notes other university presses, such as that of the University of Michigan, have begun relying on digital formats. He says he sees the change as “a way for us to extend our reach and build momentum.”