Here is the official press release from Monday about the closing of the
University Museum at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The
museum started in 1873 and has a large collection of artifacts from around
the world. I've heard that it is still up in the air about what they are
going to do with the collection. It is very said to see one of the oldest
museums in the state close its doors. Contact information is listed on the
press release, if you want to voice your concern.
Julienne Crawford
Curator
Arkansas History Commission
FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2003
CONTACT: Donald R. Bobbitt, Dean, J. William Fulbright College of Arts
and Sciences, (479) 575-4804, [log in to unmask]
Bob Smith, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, (479)
575-2151, [log in to unmask]
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITIES AT UA
MUSEUM AND ELIMINATION OF EIGHT POSITIONS
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In light of a challenging economic climate and a 2%
budget cut of all campus programs, the University of Arkansas announced
today the suspension of activities for its museum and the elimination of
eight positions. The decision comes with the University entering the
fiscal year 2004 with a $4 million budget deficit and a hiring freeze
already instituted.
The UA museum is part of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and
Sciences, and the decision to suspend operations came from the college’s
dean, Donald Bobbitt.
"We must remain dedicated to our core mission at the University, which
is providing the finest education and research facilities to our
students and faculty," Bobbitt said. "Many programs, like the museum,
hold very important purposes, but those purposes are generally in the
form of outreach programs. While we do understand their importance to
the betterment of the university, we must first guarantee the continued
mobility of our core programs."
Collection of materials for the UA museum began in 1873 as a result of
investigations conducted by professors and students in biology and
geology. During the following century, the museum has amassed more than
seven million specimens and artifacts housed in its collections.
In 1996, the UA museum created a more user friendly environment with the
opening of the Discovery Room, a hands-on, multi-activity center
primarily for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Exhibits
include geo-safaris, a light table, a talking globe and a pneumatic air
tube.
"We are proud of the advancements our museum has made toward the
education of children in Arkansas," Provost and Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs Bob Smith said. "Unfortunately, concessions must be
made during these difficult times. We anticipate exploring the
resumption of activities at the museum in the future if resources become
available, but the current suspension of operations is necessary."
In total, the suspension of operations at the museum and the elimination
of eight positions will save the University $340,542 in annual salaries,
fringe benefits and maintenance to the building. The museum, which is in
need of renovation, is currently on the National Registry of Historic
Places and, according to Bobbitt, will not be razed.
"We will work with Dr. Johnnie Gentry and his staff to preserve and
maintain the specimens and artifacts housed in the UA museum; they will
serve as invaluable tools for our faculty and students," Bobbitt said.
"While public activities and access will not be possible, we do
anticipate the museum will be used for research purposes."
Staff members impacted by the eliminated positions will be retained by
the University for a period of six months. During that time, the U of A
will make every effort to find other opportunities for those staff
affected by the suspension of operations. Dr. Gentry will remain with
the U of A as a tenured member of the faculty.
"We are grateful to Dr. Gentry and his staff for their dedication to the
museum and the preservation of its materials," Bobbitt said. "We’re
proud to have Dr. Gentry continuing as a professor of biological
sciences in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. His knowledge
and experience in this field will be an asset both to his students and
peers within the department."
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