Dispossession by attrition is a permanent condition

[sovay]

FUCKING BERNIE MADOFF.

I suppose I should be glad an art museum is more readily sacrificed than a classics department? (I suspect it's easier to sell off paintings than professors.) Presidential reassurance notwithstanding, I find it hard to believe it's merely a sign of the times: "The global financial crisis and deepening national economic recession require Brandeis to formulate and execute decisive plans that will position the university to emerge stronger for the benefit of our students . . ." Oh, damn it, damn it. I should have gone to their surrealist exhibition in November. Art is meant to be cherished, not flung to the winds. Where do I protest? Maybe I can paint it on a wall.

Comments

[yendi]

The moves mentioned in the article don't even include the insanely large number of people let go from the staff side of Brandeis over the last two weeks, too.

According to the press release sent to staff, the closing will take place this summer, so there will still be time to visit the collection (and, at risk of saying the obvious, there's nothing that one patron, or a thousand, could have done in light of the financial hole in which the university finds itself).

Which doesn't make me any less heartbroken. After so many years at Emory, having access to a good museum on campus was one of the few similarities at Brandeis. Seeing Warhols at lunch is something rare and special.

[sovay]

The moves mentioned in the article don't even include the insanely large number of people let go from the staff side of Brandeis over the last two weeks, too.

God. I'm sure of it. I received some kind of alumni mailing announcement tonight; I imagine what you describe was tactfully covered by "substantial decreases in administrative budgets." Are you currently at Brandeis? Your information may be better than mine.

(and, at risk of saying the obvious, there's nothing that one patron, or a thousand, could have done in light of the financial hole in which the university finds itself).

Oh, yeah: I know my three dollars wouldn't have made a dent. But I still mind.

[yendi]

"substantial decreases in administrative budgets."

*sigh* Yeah, that sounds like a euphemism that would cover it.

Are you currently at Brandeis? Your information may be better than mine.

I am, but I'm not sure I've got a ton of other info. Our department lost a sizable group of people last week, and we've got a bunch of open positions that will likely go unfilled. There are rumors swirling about other moves in other departments, but I haven't heard anything concrete yet.

Oh, yeah: I know my three dollars wouldn't have made a dent. But I still mind.

Yeah, I get that.

(Edited to remove my department name.)

[sovay]

(Edited to remove my department name.)

Understood. I hope they come out all right anyway.