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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Don't shy away from tough decisions
Forum | 2/3/09
Posted online at 10:51 PM EST on 2/2/09
/ Last updated at 4:43 AM EST on 2/2/09
To the Editor:
The Brandeis community's outpouring of criticism toward the administration's plans for the Rose Art Museum is completely understandable, as are the pointed questions that such critics are asking of the University's officers and trustees. But there are other, equally important questions that these same critics have not posed: Given its deleterious financial condition, what are Brandeis' other options? Which students will receive less financial aid next year as a result of the school's undercapitalization? Which academic departments will shrink or vanish? Which associate professors will be denied tenure? Which support staff will be fired?
In step with the inevitable chorus bemoaning President Reinharz's salary during these harsh times, it is worth noting that his paycheck makes up an infinitesimally small amount of the University's budget. That is not to defend his leadership-indeed, our president and his cohorts in the administration should be removed from office and permanently banished from the campus as punishment for allowing the school's finances to deteriorate to their present condition. But even if such action were taken tomorrow, it would still do nothing to solve the present crisis.
One of the harshest facts of existence-which, unfortunately, colleges do not impart to their students-is that often life gives us not good and bad options, but simply options that are bad and worse. It's lamentable that the Museum has to close, but something had to go. Our nation's economy is in the worst shape that it's been in for over 50 years, and many of our donors' funds vanished in the wake of Bernie Madoff's machinations. No one takes comfort in the University's present condition, but refusing to face hard choices or constantly second-guessing them is both childish and churlish.
-Mike Feinberg '99
The Brandeis community's outpouring of criticism toward the administration's plans for the Rose Art Museum is completely understandable, as are the pointed questions that such critics are asking of the University's officers and trustees. But there are other, equally important questions that these same critics have not posed: Given its deleterious financial condition, what are Brandeis' other options? Which students will receive less financial aid next year as a result of the school's undercapitalization? Which academic departments will shrink or vanish? Which associate professors will be denied tenure? Which support staff will be fired?
In step with the inevitable chorus bemoaning President Reinharz's salary during these harsh times, it is worth noting that his paycheck makes up an infinitesimally small amount of the University's budget. That is not to defend his leadership-indeed, our president and his cohorts in the administration should be removed from office and permanently banished from the campus as punishment for allowing the school's finances to deteriorate to their present condition. But even if such action were taken tomorrow, it would still do nothing to solve the present crisis.
One of the harshest facts of existence-which, unfortunately, colleges do not impart to their students-is that often life gives us not good and bad options, but simply options that are bad and worse. It's lamentable that the Museum has to close, but something had to go. Our nation's economy is in the worst shape that it's been in for over 50 years, and many of our donors' funds vanished in the wake of Bernie Madoff's machinations. No one takes comfort in the University's present condition, but refusing to face hard choices or constantly second-guessing them is both childish and churlish.
-Mike Feinberg '99
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Todd Melnick
posted 2/03/09 @ 10:33 AM EST
Yes, difficult choices must be made. The sale of Rose Art Museum collect was an attempt to get away with making an easy choice. The Board of Trustees choose a relatively fungible resourse with what they thought would be a small constituency. (Continued…)
Old alum
posted 2/04/09 @ 7:07 AM EST
Yes, the decision is really just an expedient raid, cloaked in demagogy aimed at affected parties. The difficulty in it is the scorn and scandal it's unleashed. (Continued…)
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