On June 29th, I received an anonymous, threatening email from a “concerned Wyoming alumnus.” I referenced this email a few weeks ago, but it still hangs in my mind, especially lines like, “I think you may want to think about how much you value your attendance at UW, as it would be a shame for it to come to an end.” Whoever sent me this email is concerned about the unfair coverage I have given the UW budget cuts. The Branding Iron received a similar phone call in the office. When I showed this email to President Tom Buchanan, since the writer claimed to be a good friend, he laughed, says he gets nutty emails, and didn’t think too much of it. Side effect: I laughed it off as well, but still look behind my back when I walk in the dark.It will take more than anonymous threats to keep me from expressing my opinion about these cuts. Emails I receive continue to catch my attention. A few days after the anonymous email, I received a message from Lisa Stillings at University of Nevada-Reno expressing her dismay at the closure of the Geological Museum and paralleling it with cuts UNR had to make. She worked at the University of Wyoming as a researcher in the early 1990s and is still fond of the UW community. She wrote that laid off employees at UNR were given 1 year notice before they were laid off, not 20 days. I know UW had to make these cuts fast, but 20 days notice is beyond brutal, especially in the economic situation the nation finds itself in. She also wrote that “offering tours ‘by appointment only’ isn't going to work and is antithetical to the whole concept of museums and public collections.” Side effect: People beyond our borders are wondering if UW is simply apathetic to the community’s concerns.
The latest email exchange to catch my attention is between UW Provost Myron Allen and a gentleman who works for a major energy company and sits on many professional boards. He asked Allen for a specific amount needed to keep the museum open and if getting written commitments for these donations could keep it open past its July 1 closing date. Allen replied, “I appreciate your willingness to consider soliciting donations that would keep the Geology Museum open. However, I hope you'll consider directing any fundraising initiatives toward other measures – preferably those that support UW's degree-granting departments.” Then, adding salt into the wound, he further wrote, “[E]ven if permanent funds became available every dean and department head in the institution can name positions that rank more highly than those lost in the Geology Museum.” Side effect: Please, please give us money, but only for “high-ranking” positions and programs.
The recent story about our new athletic uniforms sponsored by Nike demonstrates the overwhelming callousness displayed by this administration. The administration is proudly crowing that these uniforms will make us more attractive to recruits. Athletic Director Tom Burman said, "Young people today grow up very conscious of the sports apparel they wear and the sports equipment they use. Nike is not only a company that has an outstanding reputation for the highest quality equipment, but it is the brand that recruits desire.” Recruits also desire not to suck, so here’s hoping new coach Dave Christensen is worth his $180,000 yearly salary, which could reach $750,000 with incentives, according to ESPN.com. Let’s not even talk about Nike’s “outstanding” reputation for sweatshop labor. Side effect: Wyoming’s outstanding reputation for fossils will outlast our reputation for football any day.
All this on the heels of an insulting, part-time “re-opening.” Laramie resident Chris Hume shares my displeasure with this half-measure. Hume said, “Without a director, the museum is just a storage shed. No one will be there to provide knowledge and enlightenment to the next generation about the treasures inside the Museum. A mere security guard will preside over the building, as if it were a store in a mall.” Exactly. Not only that, but the security guard is apparently a custodian pulling double-duty so the UW administration can laud themselves in the press for listening to the public’s concerns. This is unacceptable and a cheap PR move – not to mention a slap in the face to the Friends of the S.H. Knight Geological Museum and any other donors who were turned away. Side effect: If we paint a little Swoosh on Big Al, will Nike sponsor him too?
“Side Effects” by Meg Lanker runs weekly. Side effects of reading her column include possible pugnacity, umbrage, nihilism, or sagacity.
