A University branch of the Virginia Museum of Natural History could become the latest casualty of Virginia's slash and burn budget balancing if it can not raise $150,000 by August.
The small museum, located across from the Cavalier Inn on Emmett Street, must acquire funds to pay its three part-time staff members or it will be forced to close, according to Branch Director Dela Alexander.
An additional 15 percent cut to the state museum's total operating budget last October, on top of a 42 percent cut imposed during last year's legislative session, resulted in the decision to close museum branches at the University and Virginia Tech, said Judith Winston, interim director of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
"It was either the two branches or close down the main building" in Martinsville, Winston said. "All of our operating funds -- all the money for exhibits, research and education is gone."
Five educators, who generate their own funds through programming, and volunteers from the University and Charlottesville communities currently aid staff members at the museum. The University covers the museum's rent.
The University branch, which has been in existence for over 12 years, sponsors exhibits, a discovery room, lectures, summer camps and stargazing parties.
"Our programs all address the Virginia Standards of Learning," Alexander said.
In 2002, 17,000 people visited the museum or took part in its community outreach programs, she added.
Museum officials in Martinsville said they are attempting to aid the branches with increased fundraising efforts, but added that it is difficult to do so in trying economic times.
"We're certainly going to work with the people [in Charlottesville and Blacksburg] and find ways to help keep them going," Winston said. "We're hoping the branches in their own communities can appeal to their community audience directly."
The museum hopes to raise enough funds to continue operating for the next two years and set aside funds to form an endowment to create future financial stability, Alexander said.
Malcolm Jarrell, instructional coordinator at Charlottesville's Venable elementary school, said his school has had a partnership with the museum for five years.
"If the museum closes, one more avenue where children can get hands-on direct experience would be eliminated," he said.
The museum works with Venable to arrange summer camps centered around different instructional themes, such as the Lewis and Clark expedition, which target students who otherwise wouldn't be exposed to Charlottesville's cultural offerings, Jarrell said.
Alexander expressed regret over the museum's fate.
"I think it's shortsighted to cut educational programs," she said. "The consequences of cutting them often cost us more as a society than the educational programs do."
Read More
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | Yesterday"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
Faculty Senate Executives hear from Rector Sheridan and Vice Rector Wilkinson
By Xander Tilock and Grace Traxler | 2 days agoRectors were in attendance for part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting and were asked about the interim president selection process.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
By Brendon Bordwine | 3 days agoThe University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes.
