FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - In light of a challenging economic climate and a 2% budget cut of all campus programs, the University of Arkansas announced today the suspension of activities for its museum and the elimination of eight positions. The decision comes with the University entering the fiscal year 2004 with a $4 million budget deficit and a hiring freeze already instituted.

The UA museum is part of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and the decision to suspend operations came from the college’s dean, Donald Bobbitt.

"We must remain dedicated to our core mission at the University, which is providing the finest education and research facilities to our students and faculty," Bobbitt said. "Many programs, like the museum, hold very important purposes, but those purposes are generally in the form of outreach programs. While we do understand their importance to the betterment of the university, we must first guarantee the continued mobility of our core programs."

Collection of materials for the UA museum began in 1873 as a result of investigations conducted by professors and students in biology and geology. During the following century, the museum has amassed more than seven million specimens and artifacts housed in its collections.

In 1996, the UA museum created a more user friendly environment with the opening of the Discovery Room, a hands-on, multi-activity center primarily for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Exhibits include geo-safaris, a light table, a talking globe and a pneumatic air tube.

"We are proud of the advancements our museum has made toward the education of children in Arkansas," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith said. "Unfortunately, concessions must be made during these difficult times. We anticipate exploring the resumption of activities at the museum in the future if resources become available, but the current suspension of operations is necessary."

In total, the suspension of operations at the museum and the elimination of eight positions will save the University $340,542 in annual salaries, fringe benefits and maintenance to the building. The museum, which is in need of renovation, is currently on the National Registry of Historic Places and, according to Bobbitt, will not be razed.

"We will work with Dr. Johnnie Gentry and his staff to preserve and maintain the specimens and artifacts housed in the UA museum; they will serve as invaluable tools for our faculty and students," Bobbitt said. "While public activities and access will not be possible, we do anticipate the museum will be used for research purposes."

Staff members impacted by the eliminated positions will be retained by the University for a period of six months. During that time, the U of A will make every effort to find other opportunities for those staff affected by the suspension of operations. Dr. Gentry will remain with the U of A as a tenured member of the faculty.

"We are grateful to Dr. Gentry and his staff for their dedication to the museum and the preservation of its materials," Bobbitt said. "We’re proud to have Dr. Gentry continuing as a professor of biological sciences in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. His knowledge and experience in this field will be an asset both to his students and peers within the department."