The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 79, July 1975 - April, 1976 Page: 123

                                
Affairs of the Association
L. TUFFLY ELLIS
FINANCES
For the first time in a number of years the Association is under serious
financial stress. Heavily dependent upon the University of Texas at Austin
for underwriting much of its personnel budget through the University's
Department of Research in Texas History, the Association faces an un-
certain future in the scope of its activities. The University cut the budget
for Research in Texas History by 15 percent for the academic year beginning
September I. Although the University's overall budget for Organized Re-
search (the Department of Research in Texas History comes under that
category) was increased 20 percent, no explanation was given for the cur-
tailment in Texas History. Cutbacks in the Association's services have al-
ready resulted, but the budget change strikes most directly at the Junior
Historian program since the cut includes the complete elimination of a full-
time research associate, Lucretia Graham. Lucretia's efforts were with that
organization, including the editing of the Texas Historian. The Association
will no longer be able to provide the school children of Texas with facilities
formerly offered to them to learn of their state's and nation's history. Ironi-
cally, this loss comes during a time when national, state, and local media
are devoting much publicity to the need to recognize, record, and preserve
our local heritage-a prirrie function of the Junior Historians-and during
a time when the nation is celebrating its Bicentennial.
The income from the Association's small endowment is insufficient to
make up even a portion of the budget cut. As a matter of fact, the income
from dues, sales of books, and endowment is inadequate at the present time
to meet very rapidly rising current expenses. Rebecca McEvoy, our recep-
tionist-secretary, and Shelley Schleier, our membership secretary, both of
whom have been paid from the Association's own funds, will also be
dropped from the payroll because of our current financial stress. The com-
pletion of the Handbook should provide a good income from sales, but
meanwhile the printing costs of this large volume will take much of the
invested funds currently providing the Association with interest income.
At this writing, in order to maintain the Association's position at its present
level, the endowment will need to be raised by a minimum of a half-million
dollars. The Executive Council will consider steps toward this end at its