<p>This is pretty disturbing considering the fact that I thought Brandeis was a top, legit school as in these sorts of things dont happen. This recession must be pretty bad for a school like Brandeis to have to do this.</p>
<p>A school being a "top, legit school" is no protection from this economy. If Brandeis were older, I suspect they could come up with something else.</p>
<p>Brown lost $800,000,000 in its endowment. A greater than 28% decline according to the article today in the Providence Journal. It is doing similar belt tightening and retrenching. The university one of my kids attends lost a cool billion dollars according to an article in their local paper. The key is what these institutions do the weather the storm.</p>
<p>Chevda--you're right, according to Southeby's, art is a commodity. But in order for art, and the process of creating art, to be understood properly one must see it not as a commodity but as a gift. In other words it can be said that art simultaneously exists in two 'economies,' a market economy and a gift economy Only one of these economies is essential, however: a work of art can survive without the market, but where there is no gift there is no art. It's value to the university and it's students has to do with the latter.</p>
<p>To the extent one attaches a monetary amount to any work of art misses the point of it's true nature, and it's true value to society. Artist don't create in order to sell. Scientists at these research universities, who push the boundaries of knowledge, do so for reasons other than money. For a work of art to endure it must originate from the other economy, the gift economy, and it's value should never be just monetary. Museum directors understand this, artists understand this, art historians understand this, and that is why universities should fight to preserve these important collections. These collections are not a frill.</p>
<p>What would I get rid of?? I have no idea. As you say, much of our society only thinks of art as an investment, or commodity, and most think they won't miss it if it's gone. I can only suggest that these are folks who have not 'exposed' themselves to art, or have never had an aesthetic experience. I would certainly look for things which do not deny an academic experience to the students. Frills is a good word. . .look for those first. </p>
<p>It just seems, in the long run, this is a bad solution for this university. It goes against their expressed mission.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Artist don't create in order to sell.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So artists are just selfless beings who can live on air? Come on.</p>
<p>I am a former fine arts/photography major. I have visited museums and galleries my whole life. I read books by and about artists of all kinds. I donate to our local arts organizations. </p>
<p>Yet I have also developed a real irritation with the part of the arts community (most of it) that insist that it's better, say, for a university to sustain a museum than to face the financial disaster that is hurting most of us. </p>
<p>When the museum opened, it was the only local venue to see modern art. That is no longer true. If Boston were not so very close, I'd consider it a larger tradgedy. It is very sad, a loss to be mourned for sure. I hold out hope that something else will come along but I do not see how it is going against Brandeis mission to make funding academics the priority. Brandeis is not RISD or The Chicago Art Institute. Because a choice is distasteful does not make it wrong.</p>
<p>morandi, don't get me wrong - I am definitely a supporter of both the fine and the performing arts. They enhance life tremendously. And of course, neither artists nor scientists work just for the money. But in this economy, and partially in order to pay for my d's tuition, I have cancelled my subscriptions to the local theater company, don't buy theater tickets no matter how tempting (and this season there are a couple of shows that are really tempting), won't attend the symphony, and if I had art that was worth anything, I'd have to sell it. Or should I not buy food to keep art? Does this (and would the sale) hurt me? Sure. But we all have choices to make in life, and many of them are not easy. </p>
<p>It's so simple to say, "Oh, they shouldn't do this." But it's a lot harder to come up with a solution. How many professors should be let go rather than close the museum? Which labs should they close? What majors should they eliminate? </p>
<p>Brandeis, and other schools, have to make tough choices. Brandeis is just being up front about it.</p>
<p>Most artists I know sacrifice food and housing for art. . .for them it's a no brainer. . . peanut butter sandwiches and unheated houses. . .second hand everything. . .pressing ahead even though there doesn't seem to be any need, or want, or desire in the real world and just keep doing it until they get good enough that they create a need for it.
They don't ask 'should i not buy food to keep art,' they instead modify the food they eat in order to keep making art and exposing themselves to more art.</p>
<p>I appreciate that you are a supporter of those who labor in this field. We need more like you. It has been part of our culture since we scratched marks in caves.</p>
<p>Yes, we (they) have choices to make. Those choices are not easy, and I must respect the choice which Brandeis has made. Does not mean I have to agree with it, though. My children, who have little (or no) interest in making art were shocked by the news. Brandeis was on their list b/c of the Rose Art Museum. Not having the space is a huge drawback in their thinking. (they both have chosen other schools)</p>
<p>How many people will find work elsewhere b/c of the closure of the museum? How many students will look elsewhere for their studies? </p>
<p>I only hope more schools do not follow this example of raising quick cash. </p>
<p>And, how up front was Brandeis about this? Was this not a shock to many across the campus? Did not the museum director find out about it after the decision was made? I'm not really sure of all the facts. . .and thus my opinion may be a bit uniformed. To that extent, I apologize and humble submit my thoughts as only an opinion.</p>
<p>no one thinks this was a great thing to happen. but as a parent of a current student -- i would rather see them make the difficult decision to do this than see them have to make more faculty and course cutbacks than they are already faced with -- quite honestly i think academic cutbacks or aid cuts (need based or merit) would be more likely to impact current and future students than the elimination of the museum. </p>
<p>in a perfect world brandeis would not have to do this. we do not live in a perfect world. each day i seem to read another story that leaves me scratching my head as to how the financial wizards of the world have managed to so thoroughly mess up our economy. </p>
<p>universities, like many other institutions, are trying to continue in the face of an economic reality that has very seriously changed. when an emotionally charged issue arises such as the sale of a museum it is easy to focus on that specific issue -- but this must be looked at in the broader context of a university trying to make impossible decisions to maintain its academic offerings and quality. if this otherwise helps brandeis continue to offer the quality education it is known for, i think it is a sad but understandable decision.</p>
<p>this is the point of view of Michael Rush, the museum head:
One thing that is not coming out -- clearly -- is this: Some of these really well-meaning young alums are doing the Obama routine of having people send small amounts of money. As darling as that is, it's misguided. The Rose is not in financial trouble. We're secure. I can't say that strongly enough. We're meeting our fundraising goals. We're doing fine. We have a tight managerial structure. We're utterly responsible. There's no trouble for the Rose. </p>
<p>This is all about selling the artwork. If the university gives any indication that they're selling the Rose to save money, that's untrue. They're just selling the artwork. The university doesn't give us a penny. We are financially autonomous within the university. They don't pay our salaries or anything, just below-the-line costs like the heat and the lights. That's not going to change if they get rid of us - they're going to use the building for something else, and they'll have those same costs. </p>
<p>So this does not change their equation economically at all. In fact it hurts them: Not only do they not give us any cash, all of our income is 'taxed' at 15 percent. We actually pay them. So they're losing the 15 percent that we raise that they take off the top of our hard-earned money. And believe me, it's hard-earned.</p>
<p>I had not heard the theory that the Rose is costing Brandeis money. Yes, they are "just selling the art work" because it is worth enough money to change the future of this university. </p>
<p>
[quote]
quite honestly i think academic cutbacks or aid cuts (need based or merit) would be more likely to impact current and future students than the elimination of the museum...
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</p>
<p>Absolutely. My family is having to make tough financial choices. And most of the country is having to make even more difficult choices. We are looking for a school that is serious about academics and willing to make difficult choices. We're not willing to take a chance on a university that dares not make a heart-wrenching, unpopular moves so everyone can stay happy while the ship sinks. </p>
<p>Nor are we looking for a school that is willing to scrimp on food to afford art, so to speak. This is not an art institute. </p>
<p>As has been said, it's so easy to say that there must be a better way. That does mean it's always true.</p>
<p>I was going to make a flippant comment. But this circumstance is just too sad and serious. It hurts to see a great institution of higher education diminished.</p>
<p>Go Judges!!!</p>
<p>The price for art should be VERY good. Those people who don't trust paper money will use it to get art and precious metals. Madoff is a disgrace, period. His ethnicity should have no bearing on it. Scumbag knows no boundary or religious identification.</p>
<p>"he is by accident of birth a member."</p>
<p>I don't think he is a member merely by accident of birth -- he is also a member by identification and practice, at least superficially. More importantly, he exploited his membership in the group to earn the trust of Jewish victims, and as a result Jewish institutions and charities are bearing the brunt of his destruction. That violation of our treasures by one of our own is a big part of the story to me. It makes it personal.</p>
<p>Brandeis at least has something to sell... think of the dozens if not hundreds of colleges in this country that will be in a similar pickle but have NO option other than massive cuts and layoffs. </p>
<p>This is just the beginning of a very tough time for the smaller LACs and poorer state schools.</p>
<p>A email sent to alumni today from the President of the Alumni Association:</p>
<p>Jan. 29, 2009</p>
<p>Dear fellow Brandeis alumni:</p>
<p>I wanted to share with you some perspective on the news you've undoubtedly read concerning Brandeis and the future of the Rose Art Museum. As president of the Alumni Association with a seat on the University's Board of Trustees, I was on campus Monday for the meeting where Brandeis' financial situation was discussed. The strategy to ensure the strong future of the academy and the value of what's essential to Brandeis... its students, its faculty and our Brandeis degrees were discussed at great length.</p>
<p>You must certainly know the decision about the Rose was not an easy nor lightly taken one. But the context of what else is going on in light of the new economic realities we all face is also important here. Like other universities, Brandeis is feeling the effects of the global financial downturn: the value of the endowment has decreased, gifts to the University may fall, and students need additional financial aid because their family economic situations have deteriorated. The administration has and is taking steps to reduce costs but it goes much beyond that.</p>
<p>Brandeis is embarking upon a new era where opportunities to adjust to the 21st century and a changing environment prevail. These include discussions with faculty, students, administrators and trustees in recent months...in fact there have been some 30+ meetings with these various constituencies on campus and they continue today when a new faculty-student committee was formed to discuss curriculum options. Other ideas ranging from a student summer semester, to slightly increasing the size of the student body, to a small decrease in faculty, to changing the structure of undergraduate majors to better highlight interdisciplinary study, field experience and experiential learning, are all on the table. And each idea under consideration is being thoroughly studied and vetted before final decisions are made. In addition, the University has already realized savings through the elimination of staff positions (through layoffs or attrition).</p>
<p>As for the Rose, the museum building will be converted to much-needed arts teaching and gallery space for Brandeis students and faculty. Through an orderly process that might take years, pieces of the collection might be sold. The University is well aware of market conditions and is not planning a sudden and drastic sale of the artwork, but rather a cautious approach with an eye towards the future. President Reinharz explained it well on NPR, if you want to hear more about it firsthand:</p>
<p>Brandeis</a> President Defends Art Museum Sale : NPR</p>
<p>There is sadness, disappointment, and grieving from within the Brandeis community about the painful decisions necessitated by the country's economic downturn and I regret that it has affected Brandies, too. But I feel confident in the University's leadership and its focus on the future for a stronger than ever Brandeis in the decades ahead.We especially need our alumni and their active support for Brandeis at this time more than ever. The administration is well aware of the range of opinions and emotions among alumni about the Rose and other issues...and is doing its best to respond to many of you directly. We alumni are integral to shaping the future of Brandeis and I hope you will consider taking an even more active role in ensuring a strong new century for our alma mater.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
Allen Alter '71
President
Brandeis Alumni Association</p>
<p>MommaJ, Thank you so much for sharing that letter. This is very moving:</p>
<p>
[quote]
There is sadness, disappointment, and grieving from within the Brandeis community about the painful decisions necessitated by the country's economic downturn and I regret that it has affected Brandies, too. But I feel confident in the University's leadership and its focus on the future for a stronger than ever Brandeis in the decades ahead.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yes, thanks for sharing MommaJ. What a great letter.</p>
<p>I just realized that despite its sad subject, the letter has a chuckle in it too, at least for me. I posted last week gnashing my teeth because my daughter's Common App essay went in with three misspellings due to a spellcheck mishap. Now I see that the President of the Brandeis Alumni Association spelled the name of the college wrong ("Brandies") in a letter that went out to thousands of alums!</p>
<p>An excerpt: </p>
<p>But in an exclusive interview, Peter French, Brandeiss chief operating officer, explained that the universitys situation is far more dire than it appeared in news accounts, which extrapolated the $10 million figure from published documents. He objected to the word bankrupt, but what would you call an institution with a projected deficit of $79 million over the next six years, a tapped-out reserve fund, a shrunken endowment and quite a number of big donors hit hard by the Madoff scandal?
Brandeis has already cut expenses and staff this year and last, and raised tuition and fees. French said the alternative now was either a drastic shrinking of the university or selling the art. Faced with the prospect of closing 40 percent of the universitys buildings, reducing staff by an additional 30 percent, or firing 200 of its 360 faculty membersany of which, French said, would drastically change the universitys mission and essentially cripple itWed rather use Rose.</p>
<p>Michael Rush, the Rose’s director, should be fired. Better buildings should close down, staff cut and faculty fired? This is a university. It's beyond absurd to think that Brandeis could survive those measures so long as the Rose remains as it is.</p>