Friday, September 25, 2009

Reinharz Resigning (UPDATED)

Brandeis president Jehuda Reinharz is resigning at the end of the current academic year. The Boston Globe has the story here. The Globe says Reinharz "dismissed suggestions that he is resigning under pressure arising from the [Rose] museum controversy," but adds:

"Controversy over the museum erupted in January, when university officials announced plans to close its art museum and auction parts of its $350 million collection amid heavy investment losses and declining fund-raising. Facing withering criticism from faculty, alumni, and the art and philanthropic worlds, the university quickly pulled back, and Reinharz apologized, saying he 'screwed up.'"

UPDATE: Felix Salmon isn't buying the line that this has nothing to do with the Rose mess: "There’s certainly nothing in Reinharz’s stated reasons for his resignation ('It is now time for me to enter the next chapter of my professional life') which explains what has changed since a year ago, when Reinharz signed [a new] five-year contract."