Brandeis budget crunch

B77
Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:48:31 +0000

My impression is that Brandeis wants the ability to liquidate a few paintings as one option in avoiding the type of budget cuts that could negatively affect its core mission, not because of a “crisis” or “dire straits.” I’m guessing the administration was advised to close the museum to the public (effectively re-purposing it solely for student and faculty use) in order to avoid those very deaccessioning guidelines imposed on public museums. Since the museum traditionally did not get a lot of foot traffic (most of its collection is in storage at any given time), they didn’t forsee the uproar that would arise in the art world. Now, as you may have heard, the administration has backtracked and is awaiting the recommendation of a faculty/student/staff committee on the future role of the museum–e.g. public museum/teaching facility or private teaching facility/museum).

BTW, I’m a Brandeis alum who follows the school closely. I’m glad to hear that Bates currently has its budget balanced, but , in my admittedly biased opinion, Brandeis is the far better choice.