Esprit: A Humanities Magazine.

In March 1984, the first issue of "Esprit," a semi-annual humanities magazine for the 56 two-year colleges in New York State, was published. The magazine seeks to confront the apparent decline of student interest in the humanities, community doubts about the relevance of the humanities, and the seeming indifference to the special truths inherent in and fostered by humanistic study. Its four basic purposes are to: (1) encourage aesthetic/humanistic communication among faculty and administrators at New York's two-year colleges; (2) provide an outlet for their creative and critical expression and promote it throughout the state; (3) explore the relevance and importance of humanities study to student preparation for careers in other programs and disciplines; and (4) dispense information on study in the humanities. "Esprit" seeks submissions in a variety of areas, including creative writing, art work, photography, critical essays, interviews, reviews, reports, calendar items, and bibliographies. After the magazine was conceptualized by staff members at Orange County Community College (OCCC), efforts to realize its publication included solicitation of support from other two-year colleges in the state, and largely unsuccessful attempts to obtain funding from corporations, businesses, and foundations. "Esprit" is currently financed to a large extent by OCCC and its association, and its editorial policy is determined by a Board of Advisory Educators from two-year colleges statewide. (HB)