Spring Break
Financial figures in the Rose interim report are incorrect, Rush says
by Alana Abramson
Staff writer
News | 5/19/09
Posted online at 3:15 AM EST on 5/19/09
"We received the figures in a presentation from one of the staff members in the budget office. That staff member reviewed the budget section of the interim report before it was released, and confirmed that it did not misrepresent the information we were given in the presentation," he wrote. The interim report stated that Vice President for Budget and Planning Fran Drolette provided the committee with an overview of the budget.
However, Samet acknowledged that the figures in the report were incomplete, explaining in an e-mail, "We provided a summary-an accountant would provide a much more detailed report."
Rush said that he offered several times to appear before the committee and provide the correct figures but did not receive a response from the committee until May 14.
When asked if Rush had previously offered to appear before the committee, Samet responded May 13 was the first the committee had learned of his offer but that Rush had previously mentioned to Samet that he would be able to clarify some of the budget inaccuracies.
"If there is an error, we need to know that, because understanding the budget is critical for thinking about the future of the Rose," Samet wrote.
"I've invited Michael to communicate with us about this. If there are significant errors or inaccuracies we will correct them," he added.
The committee acknowledged in the report that while the Rose's budget has suffered because of the recession and the current controversy surrounding the museum, its budgetary figures confirm that the University's decision January 26 to sell the collection was the result of Brandeis' financial difficulties. The report states that the Rose budget itself did not impose a fiscal strain on the University.
According to the report, the Rose can continue to operate legally as a public museum if the University sells its artwork but does not use the proceeds to purchase other art.
The committee will release its final report early in the fall after continuing to work into the summer, according to an e-mail Samet sent to the Brandeis community April 30. The report explains that the committee did not want to begin deliberating about future options for the Rose until they had obtained sufficient background information about the Rose.
However, Samet acknowledged that the figures in the report were incomplete, explaining in an e-mail, "We provided a summary-an accountant would provide a much more detailed report."
Rush said that he offered several times to appear before the committee and provide the correct figures but did not receive a response from the committee until May 14.
When asked if Rush had previously offered to appear before the committee, Samet responded May 13 was the first the committee had learned of his offer but that Rush had previously mentioned to Samet that he would be able to clarify some of the budget inaccuracies.
"If there is an error, we need to know that, because understanding the budget is critical for thinking about the future of the Rose," Samet wrote.
"I've invited Michael to communicate with us about this. If there are significant errors or inaccuracies we will correct them," he added.
The committee acknowledged in the report that while the Rose's budget has suffered because of the recession and the current controversy surrounding the museum, its budgetary figures confirm that the University's decision January 26 to sell the collection was the result of Brandeis' financial difficulties. The report states that the Rose budget itself did not impose a fiscal strain on the University.
According to the report, the Rose can continue to operate legally as a public museum if the University sells its artwork but does not use the proceeds to purchase other art.
The committee will release its final report early in the fall after continuing to work into the summer, according to an e-mail Samet sent to the Brandeis community April 30. The report explains that the committee did not want to begin deliberating about future options for the Rose until they had obtained sufficient background information about the Rose.
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michael rush
posted 5/19/09 @ 12:11 PM EST
When I was contacted by the Justice about this piece and told it was for "the graduation issue" I was clear that what I wanted to address was graduation. (Continued…)
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