UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS ADDRESSES KEY ISSUES CONCERNING SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS AT MUSEUM

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - With attention continuing to surround the June 16th announcement of the suspension of operations at the UA Museum, effective October 31st, the University of Arkansas has announced plans involving three primary issues of concern: the continued use of museum artifacts for research purposes, the future of the Vascular Flora of Arkansas Project and the suspension of public access.

"We’re aware of the museum patrons’ heightened sense of concern with regard to the UA museum, its staff and its artifacts," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith said. "Our goal is to inform the public that the museum will not be done away with completely; it is too valuable of a resource for University faculty and students. However, with a $4 million deficit meeting us this fiscal year, we’re forced to cut costs, and unfortunately changes must occur at the museum."

Currently, museum research collections are stored in the Arkansas Archeological Survey Building, which was completed in 1999. The Survey, an independent unit of the UA system, will continue supervising and maintaining the artifacts in a climate controlled environment accessible to faculty and students for research projects and teaching. In addition, the Survey will manage the UA museum’s repatriation of Native American skeletons and funerary objects as required by the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act.

"In addition to our current working alliance, we are talking with the leadership of the Arkansas Archeological Survey to insure that moveable artifacts currently housed within the UA Museum will be preserved and managed through the AAS and its temperature and humidity controlled facilities," Smith said. "Also, plans are underway to use one time monies to offer six month (i.e., after December 31, 2003) positions to two of the current UA Museum staff to assist with the anticipated expanded responsibilities of the AAS."

The Vascular Flora Project of Arkansas will also see changes as a result of the suspension of operations with the museum. According to Dean of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Donald R. Bobbitt, the project will be completely under the jurisdiction of Dr. Johnnie Gentry, whose responsibilities in the past have been split between the museum and the herbarium. Dean Bobbitt is also working out details to expand efforts at the herbarium, including graduate student support once the museum has closed and transferring the herbarium to the Department of Biological Sciences during the next year.

"We value the important research conducted through the Flora Vascular Project of Arkansas," Bobbitt said. "We’re equally excited about the improvements coming to that project with Dr. Gentry devoting more time at the herbarium and the inclusion of graduate students to the project."

Unfortunately, with the primary focuses of the UA museum splintering off into different departments, the continuation of public activities at the museum will be suspended indefinitely. Dr. Smith and Dean Bobbitt agree that the possibility of those activities returning is reasonable but if an adequate facility can be provided.

"One of the valued services the UA Museum has provided has been its accessibility to the public and school tours," Smith said. "We are saddened to see those activities go, but it would require between $10 million and $15 million to provide a facility appropriate for continued operations, and that is not feasible at this time."

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