Following is the official press release on the closing of the University of
Arkansas Museum. The soon-to-be-eliminated museum staff members would
welcome letters of support, especially those recommending the retention of
a qualified collections care professional, addressed to the two officials
who are responsible for the cuts listed at the bottom of this release.
Anyone interested in additional informational information may contact me
directly.
FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2003
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."
CONTACT: Donald R. Bobbitt, Dean, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and
Sciences, University of Arkansas (479) 575-4804, [log in to unmask]
Bob Smith, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of
Arkansas (479) 575-2151, [log in to unmask]
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