Amen! I agree 100% with this comment. Thank you. -----Original Message----- From: Jeremy T. Chrabascz [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Mon 12/23/2002 9:31 AM To: [log in to unmask] Cc: Subject: Mr. Maurer, Pay Scales, etc. "There is no such thing as being underpaid." -William Maurer, Director, Gomez Mill House. I beg to differ. Did anyone consider the fact that museum jobs continue to pay so little because so many simply "accept" it as "the way it is?" Museums, in an effort to compete for the attention of an increasingly sophisticated and discriminating audience, have begun to behave more and more like for-profit corporations (and rightfully so). Professionalization and specialization are now tantamount as can clearly be seen in the proliferation of museum studies and museum-related MBA programs throughout the country. Perhaps if those coming out of such training programs (or bringing significant experience with them) DEMANDED higher salaries, the market would change. Museum administrators might hold their ground at first but, eventually, as the quality of their product suffered and visitation dwindled they might reconsider their position. If museums wish to conduct themselves more like for-profit corporations then they must appropriately compensate their professional staff. Otherwise, they will suffer the same fate as corporations that are poorly run (or out-of-touch)--poor retention/public image, poor production, and incredible turnover. Earlier someone suggested a union. Some municipalities do have union museum workers but they typically do not include those at the professional or administrative levels--they are usually for maintenance & security. Would be it be a good idea for museum professionals to unionize? I'm not sure. Mr. Maurer's comments were symptomatic of the problem. We will not make progress as an industry if other museum administrators share his views or if others simply "accept" them as the reality. That being said, you must be careful what you wish for. If you wish to be managed and compensated according to corporate standards, then you will also be held more accountable for your work product. But in my view, increasing accountability and raising the standards of our industry are good things. * (My comments do not reflect the views/opinions/position of my employer.) * Jeremy T. Chrabascz, Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).