Rose Family Blasts Brandeis Over Art-Museum Plan

The family of the benefactors of Brandeis University’s Rose Art Museum sharply criticized school officials Monday, insisting that the museum remain open and that its collection be kept intact, says The New York Times.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the controversy, 50 Rose family members said in a statement that “‘re-purposing’ the museum is ‘closing’ by another name,” a reference to Brandeis officials’ proposal to turn the museum into an arts center used primarily by those on campus.

In January school officials announced plans to close the Rose outright and sell off its collection, but they have since backtracked. A committee convened by the university to help determine the museum’s fate holds its first meeting Thursday.