Rose, museum of bad art, Michael Rush, etc.

I am surprised no one has identified the closing of Linsey Pool at Brandeis in October 2008 as the canary in the coal mine. Citing deferred maintenance concerns (that probably could have been remediated by a $1 million bequest that was used instead for general operating needs at Brandeis in the early 1990s) the University administration boarded up the pool. They now plan to eliminate the swimming and diving program. In my opinion, this decision was an early warning sign of the current financial distress, and how the University views its "ancillary" assets. Rather than invest funds to repair or replace the pool, it was closed. The Rose is a much more valuable asset, both as a physical structure and its art collection. It was only a matter of time before it was targeted.

University's have just a few revenue streams. Tuition and fees typically make up the majority of the revenues, followed by earnings from the endowment, auxiliary enterprises, and gifts for operations. This last category is the hardest to attract yet can make the biggest difference when other revenue sources are diminished.

In the summer of 2007, Brandeis announced proudly that 31 alumni had made gifts of $1 million to $10 million in the current campaign. With 30,000 alumni in our ranks, that's a pitiful number in a $1.2 billion campaign. But you don't have to give millions to make a difference. It is interesting to see so many of my fellow alumni voicing concerns about the closing of the Rose Art Museum. It is easy to take the moral high ground and show disgust for the actions of this administration and Board of Trustees. Yet, I bet if you looked at the record of giving by these outraged alumni to their alma mater, you'd see a blank slate. And, now they have an easy excuse not to give, so the cycle continues.

I don't agree with Brandeis' decision to choose the expedient path by closing The Rose Art Museum, or Linsey Pool for that matter. But, shouldn't the alumni who are so quick to cry foul instead put their money where their mouth is and help Brandeis through this financial challenge? If we don't, what will close next?

Brandeis is not in AT ALL IN SUCH an ailing financial situation. Its current endowment is '$691.4 million;" with many multi-million state-of-the-art brand new buildings' constructions all over the campus. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE EVERYONE STOP ALL THIS NON-SENSE. Brandeis has many, many very generous and wonderful donors, who have given multi-million gifts through the years and will continue to, because they believe that Brandeis is a great academic institution and community. Everyone loves Brandeis and is dedicated to do whatever needed to make sure that this great institution is and continue to grow and to be one of the most prestigious and world-class academic schools
worldwide; however, for the Rose I understand people frustration about closing it; however again, President Jehuda Reinharz made it clear that none of its precious treasured arts collection will be sold, unless it's necessary. PLEASE, everyone has to understand that besides the Rose collection which is valuable in $$$,
Brandeis students, faculties, administration etc...are as valuable as its arts
collection. All private colleges and universities in the US are going through tough times, here at Brandeis we are very lucky, our situation is not as catastrophic as other institutions. Relax and take a deep breath, Brandeis is the best and will continue to be the best of the best, with or without the Rose.

Hi John,
Brandeis has produced a defining moment in American universities--the classic case of how NOT to do risk management and damage control. Its wasting of collatoral for leveraging to finance a $400M science pyramid may well close down the university within 3 years, IMO. I and others have expressed, sincerely, cost cutting measures that would have impacted the administration first, and the students last. These suggestions were not implemented. Instead, the trustees and administration, again IMO, have torn the Brandeis community apart. It is truly tragic that so many bad decisions have been made--and how they concatenate to a likely (IMO) future disaster. I am so disappointed to watch this without being able to participate in the solution.

Brandeis Alum `92:

As a graduate from the class of `94, I've actually tried to be engaged with the university. On numerous occasions over the past 15 years, I've offered the career center the opportunity to place Brandeis students in very competitive internships in the offices I've run and to help place students or recent graduates on political campaigns I've worked on. I have also sought through the school opportunities to mentor recent graduates and find other ways to remain engaged in the community despite a very busy schedule (like everyone else) and limited funds. But my proactive efforts to engage the university have been repeatedly met by silence. This is an experience that, unfortunately, has been typical for many of my friends who graduated from Brandeis as well.

Sadly, the administration at the school is making it clear that it is only interested in my donations -- and only when I have a significant amount to give. This is an awful way to build a long-term relationship with your alumni, let alone potential donors. It is, I think, also indicative of the short-sighted actions that the university is taking in the closing of the Rose and, apparently, the October `08 decision to close Linsey Pool. I wish the ol' alma mater luck in getting out of this mess, but its hard to have much sympathy for them right now.