----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 2:49 PM
Subject: Re: Reynolds on the SI

clip> Donors have always had strings...some
> more visible than others. I suppose we have to weigh the constraints
imposed
> by those strings against the benefit to the museum.

This weighing of various needs and considerations for donations with strings
of any sort has always been the case.  Maybe what has changed here is that
the people who are bringing in the big donors (i.e., sometimes, yes, new
"business" types or senior administrators not from the scientific or museum
ranks) do not have the trust of those who have a big problem with the
restrictions, i.e., the scientific and curatorial staff.  After all, if the
scientific staff trusted the judgement of those evaluating the restrictions
or were included in the decision making process to negotiate and accept the
restrictions (or both) they would probably be more than willing to work
within those restrictions.  As has been said on this list before, trust is
one of the biggest missing elements here, not just money.

Elizabeth Moore

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