Predictably, the plan by Brandeis to close the Rose Art Museum and sell off its $350 million art collection to rescue the university from financial straits is looking like it will turn into a courtroom clusterfuck. The Globe reports this morning that museum supporters are up in arms - not surprisingly, that includes the woman for whom a new wing was named in 2001 after a $5 million gift from her husband. And with 80 percent of the collection received as gifts - many of which come with legal strings attached - the Brandeis administration has its work cut out for it. Best quote: "The trustees and the president should call Barack Obama and say we can solve the financial crisis," (one sale opponent) said. "Why don't we sell all the collections in the Smithsonian?" The Globe's art critic makes a case against the sale too, batting away some of the administration's rationalizations. Meanwhile, both Boston Mayor Tom Menino and the incoming House Speaker are looking for ways to tap college endowments to help government with its fiscal crisis. Nice timing guys!
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