<p>Most, if not all, colleges and universities are facing the same financial difficulties, yet none have felt the need to take such a drastic measure as Brandeis. One has to wonder, as bookmama22 suggests, who is to blame for this current financial pinch, certainly not the Rose.</p>
<p>Please remember this is a discussion forum. we are allowed to share thoughts and opinions even if we don’t have answers. To say those who are unwilling to ‘cough up enough cash to save the museum’ ‘ should just shut up’ hardly suggests a tolerant and open mind about others views on this matter. As far as I know it is not the museum that needs saving. If you find all the clamor and outrage to be ridiculous, I guess that’s fine, but others are venting, as well, about the potential loss of a truly unique institution, which adds value and recognition to Brandeis. The university would not be in the position to sell these works had not others donated them in the first place b/c they believed in the mission of the university and the role of the museum towards that mission. Just because you or your friends did not set foot in the museum means nothing. It does not make it a frill. It only suggests you are not so interested in art but, believe me, there are others who feel differently.</p>
<p>I suspect bookmama22 is extremely grateful that the Rose was there during her child’s time at Brandeis. To think her reaction would be quite different ‘if her child were not an alumnus, but instead a current student facing the specters of skyrocketing tuition, reduced financial aid, deferred maintenance and repairs, overcrowded classes taught by second-rate professors and shuttered majors’ is not a fair judgment and a bit presumptuous. We are all facing these issues with our children in school, myself included, but it does not change my reaction to this issue</p>