To the editor:

On July 1, the Journal-World reported that KU’s vice chancellor for university relations is paid $195,000 and her assistant $82,000 per year. Her office has a secretary and administrative assistant, but “the public relations effort could require more staff.” This stands in stark contrast to the decision to close exhibits and public programming at the Museum of Anthropology, trimming its staff by five positions and leaving only two to run the whole facility. According to a June 11 article, “the museum costs about $150,000 a year to operate.”

The Malott family’s generous gift to create a new gateway to KU on Iowa Street will beautify Lawrence and instill a sense of pride that will endure for generations. However, Spooner Hall is also a gateway to KU. From students on field trips, out-of-town visitors, and attendees of the Lawrence Indian Arts Show to the people of Lawrence, the museum has been an entrance to the university that teaches the public about its greater mission.

The museum has operated with a skeleton staff on a shoestring budget since its inception. It has never had adequate funding. However, its large and valuable collections are held in trust for public use. From the Days of the Dead to exhibits about human ancestors, the museum has fostered learning about the diversity of human experience like no other unit on campus. If strong public relations are so critical to KU’s survival, cutting the staff of the museum and reducing public access make poor fiscal sense indeed.

John W. Hoopes,

Lawrence