Spring Break
COMMENTARY: Reinharz fails to reassure student body
by Diego Medrano
Forum | 2/3/09
Posted online at 10:46 PM EST on 2/2/09
/ Last updated at 4:49 AM EST on 2/2/09
"Desperate times call for desperate measures." This is the message that resonated throughout last Wednesday's budget forum as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter French outlined the harsh realities of Brandeis' economic situation. University President Jehuda Reinharz, for the most part, refuted the picture of the administration as heartless monsters. Yet the administration was unsuccessful in one of its most crucial goals-assuring the Brandeis community that we will prevail.
To his credit, Reinharz did succeed at addressing a key issue: the lack of transparency over the closing of the Rose Art Museum. Although he may not have won anyone over, at least he was honest in his statement that he "didn't want the argument over the Rose Art Museum to occur in the papers" and that he could not trust the museum director to keep quiet about a decision that decides his job. For such an important decision, this may not seem like enough of a reason to shut out students and faculty, but Reinharz's reasoning was at least understandable. As far as the total lack of transparency, Reinharz did exactly what he needed to. He assured students that the administration is listening and that the meetings held regarding the budget will now be open to students and faculty.
But despite successfully addressing most questions, he did not inspire students at a time when he should have. Reinharz assured everyone that "Brandeis is not falling apart," but French's ominous presentation surely left the taste of uncertainty in the crowd's mouth.
Reinharz said, "Brandeis is not alone," and mentioned an Ivy League school that was going to make even more drastic decisions than Brandeis is. Yet he also stated that because Brandeis is so young, we do not have the same resources to cope with economic harship that some of our counterparts do. This makes it seem as if we are in a far worse situation than other universities and causes us to question just how much other universities can relate.
To his credit, Reinharz did succeed at addressing a key issue: the lack of transparency over the closing of the Rose Art Museum. Although he may not have won anyone over, at least he was honest in his statement that he "didn't want the argument over the Rose Art Museum to occur in the papers" and that he could not trust the museum director to keep quiet about a decision that decides his job. For such an important decision, this may not seem like enough of a reason to shut out students and faculty, but Reinharz's reasoning was at least understandable. As far as the total lack of transparency, Reinharz did exactly what he needed to. He assured students that the administration is listening and that the meetings held regarding the budget will now be open to students and faculty.
But despite successfully addressing most questions, he did not inspire students at a time when he should have. Reinharz assured everyone that "Brandeis is not falling apart," but French's ominous presentation surely left the taste of uncertainty in the crowd's mouth.
Reinharz said, "Brandeis is not alone," and mentioned an Ivy League school that was going to make even more drastic decisions than Brandeis is. Yet he also stated that because Brandeis is so young, we do not have the same resources to cope with economic harship that some of our counterparts do. This makes it seem as if we are in a far worse situation than other universities and causes us to question just how much other universities can relate.
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