Story: Museum needs its curator, Casper-Star July 29

Editor: In reference to the July 19 front-page story ("Rock lovers rejoice"), I'm afraid the headline writer is somewhat premature. I, for one, am not "rejoicing." On the contrary, I am becoming more and more irate at the actions of the UW administration and the damage they are causing.

The plan to open the museum part-time under a "security guard" is ridiculous and insulting. A museum without a curator is a contradiction in terms. Picture the Denver Museum of Nature and Science without curators or its 1,600 volunteers, open (sometimes) under the supervision of "security guards."

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://casperstartribune.net/articles/2009/07/29/editorial/letters/57a470c6556b72a0872576010065f358.txt

Closing the museum

Posted in the "Letters to the editor" in the Laramie Boomerang, Tuesday, July 28th.

The recent decision to eliminate the curator position and temporarily close the University of Wyoming Geological Museum is viewed with dismay by the members of the Albany County Museum Coalition, who represent 14 (now 13) Albany County museums and collections open to the public. We strongly urge the university to reconsider this decision, and to search actively for solutions which will keep the Geological Museum fully open with a curator.

Each of our museums has a unique focus and mission, but all have common goals, which are:
- To maintain, safeguard, exhibit, and protect for future generations the artifacts under our care
- To be focal points for tourism through interpretive exhibits, and well-trained staff and volunteers
- To educate visitors about the cultural and natural resources of our area
-To serve as easily accessible resources for the community and visitors on topics in which we have special expertise
- To fulfill our unique missions through programs, service, and outreach

Although we often lack adequate funding, we diligently seek to achieve these goals. The Geological Museum has excelled in all these areas, and draws visitors here from around the world. The University's recent decision indicates a lack of awareness of the need for a museum curator who can give constant attention to environmental conditions, maintenance of artifacts, and preparedness for immediate action in case of disaster.

The UW Geological Museum has been a prominent and renowned example of the University's mission, and we urge the university to restore it to its proper place with a full time curator.

Teresa Sherwood
Albany County Museum
Coalition chair

Closing the museum

This article was featured in "Letters to the editor" in the Laramie Boomerang, Tuesday July 28th.

I came to the University of Wyoming as the secondary science teacher at Prep. What a resource the museum was for Earth science and biology teaching. From the textbook, we walked down the sidewalk to observe the evidence for the big ideas -changing Wyoming environments, evolution, the age of the earth. Before coming to Wyoming, I knew that geology was one of the academic strengths of UW. To Joy and I, the museum is the concrete cornerstone of Wyoming geology where the science and the public interface and we see the evidence for the processes that have shaped our state. It is the first place in Laramie we take our guests.

In this virtual world we live in the Geological Museum represents the effort by our state geologists, from Sam Knight on, to link Wyoming's present with its past- ancient sea beds, volcanoes, fossil fuel formation, the ice age. When one walks into the museum, it is a step from the present into Earth's history. We see ourselves as the most recent characters of the long drama. If the museum is closed, we will be cut off from our past. I took this statement from the Sam Knight Web page. "During his 50 year career with the University of Wyoming Knight earned the nickname 'Mr. Wyoming University'. Knight helped to design and promote the construction of a new geology building and to expand the Geological Museum. Not only did he create an outstanding, nationally recognized Geology Department, but he also promoted the University of Wyoming to the nation and the world." Sam Knight, who was voted Wyoming Citizen of the 20th Century, will roll over in his grave if the museum is closed.

Each day I drive by the new box seats construction at the football stadium. Football has its place. I have had season tickets for thirty years-rarely miss a game. But what is really important to this university? This great science resource has survived much worse economic dilemmas and it would be inexcusable and shortsighted for our generation to close the doors. Where is your thinking? The U.S. scores with third world countries in science.

Dr. Duane Keown, Professor Emeritus, Science Education
Joy Keown, Retired teacher
Laramie

Story: Bad decision by UW power brokers

Editor: Thank you to all the people of the world who have been writing in support of our wonderful University of Wyoming Geology Museum and its curator, Brent Breithaupt. I would like to add two stories of support.

Sometime in the 1990s the museum came under the hatchet list. When I added my voice to the protest and contacted legislators from across the state, the then-UW president sent me a personal letter threatening my Ph.D. assistantship if I didn't shut up. I protested louder than ever, kept the letter, spoke out at trustees' meetings, helped organize demonstrations and finished my Ph.D. on time.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://casperstartribune.net/articles/2009/07/28/editorial/letters/99859540e9cf2fb08725760000657e83.txt

Story: Security guard can't do it all

Editor: So, let me get this straight. I can now take my kids to the wonderful Geology Museum in Laramie and have a security guard tell them about the displays?

I appreciate the work the security guards do here at Casper College and the Tate Geological Museum where I work, but as we are trained in our respective jobs, I'd rather not trade jobs with them. Will the security guard be taught about the displays? Trained as a docent? Trained by whom? Will he/she show off the monitor cameras and the locks on the display cabinets? I'm a tad confused.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://casperstartribune.net/articles/2009/07/28/editorial/letters/25886bb4d6228f348725760000656286.txt

More Opportunities for You to Respond

Morning, all. The Casper Star-Tribune survey is still open. It is not too late to go online and answer that one question. Encourage others to do so as well. It's working!

http://casperstartribune.net/

Here is a link to a story in USA Today as well. Take a look and then please comment. You will have to register to comment at USA Today, but it is free and will put the grassroots effort out there nationally again. USA Today reported from afar, via a university official easy to contact. The media needs to know that there is an effort to bring back more, and to clarify their perception of the situation.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-07-22-museumclosing_N.htm

Poll!

As of 10 p.m. on Sunday, here's what the Casper Star-Tribune Poll numbers show:


Should UW put funds into keeping the Geological Museum open?

Yes, it needs to be open all the time.

(719 Votes, 60%)

Yes, but they were right to open it part-time to save money.

(393 Votes, 33%)

No, they need to close whatever keeps them financially sound.

(55 Votes, 5%)

They should turn the museum into a skate park and make some cash instead.

(24 Votes, 2%)


Thanks you everyone for making your voices heard once again!