ASP Weighs in on Nebraska Decision

[Scott L. Gardner]

This just in from the American Society of Parasitologists:
Maybe the SON and the ASM could consider a letter too?

Scott Gardner


From:  Robin Overstreet, President of the American Soceity of
Parasitologists
To:      Administration at UNL and Politicians in Nebraska


(addresses and greetings)

This letter concerns the plight of the research divisions in the
University of Nebraska State Museum (UNSM).  As President of the
American Society of Parasitologists (ASP), Research Affiliate of the
Harold W. Manter Laboratory of the University of Nebraska State Museum
(HWML) since 1982, user of the Museum, and representative of the ASP,
including several members who have contacted me personally, I would
like
to express my deep concern.

I am sure there was much thought put into closing or reducing some or
all of the research divisions in the UNSM.  I understand the
"cost-benefit analysis aspect" as well as "majority rules aspect" of
the
evaluation process that museums go through during periods of severe
budget crunches because Mississippi and many other states have gone
through this ordeal more than once.  I also realize that my concerns
are
biased since any action against the HWML would affect many members of
ASP and the parasitological community because it would 1) jeopardize
the
valuable taxonomic material and the Society's archives, 2) complicate
continued operation of the Society's Web site, and 3) complicate the
future of the Society's newsletter (Scott Gardner is Editor).  More
important, the international parasitological community as well as
those
parties interested in the biology of animals (hosts of the parasites)
have enormous respect for the University of Nebraska because of the
Manter Laboratory and the University's long history of parasitological
excellence.  The US is supposed to be a leader in science, and
Nebraska
has the honor of being THE most important university parasitological
museum in North America; it is second in the US only to the National
Parasitological Collection, which uses the Manter Laboratory as THE
major depository for important miscellaneous collections.  For many
scientists abroad, Nebraska is one of the few North American
universities that they recognize.

Because of ASP's great respect for the present-day University of
Nebraska, I think you should reconsider 1) the enormous potential loss
of its national and international scientific reputation and 2) the
obligation that the University owes the federal granting agencies,
both
present and past grant reviewers and donators of specimens and gifts,
and the State of Nebraska, which all expect stability in the Manter
Laboratory in specific and the UNSM's research divisions in general.
I
can assure you that the Museum's worth (and that of each division) is
much more than the sum of its parts.

On behalf of many respected scientists, I hope you will reconsider the
"penny-wise, pound-foolish" evaluation of the Museum.  Even during
these
trying times, one can find innovative means for each division to
supplement or pay salaries and to obtain operating costs.  These
means,
however, usually necessitate a long-term commitment by the University
or
the Museum to sustain a permanent institution.  I wish you the best in
solving your serious budgetary crisis and maintaining the University's
scientific reputation.

Yours very truly,



Robin M. Overstreet, PhD
Professor of Coastal Sciences of The University of Southern
Mississippi
President, American Society of Parasitologists


<_<_<_<_<_<_<_<_<_<_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>

       "People love conserving the hot and furries,
       but they don't like conserving the wet and slimies."

Scott Lyell Gardner, Ph.D.
Curator of Parasitology
Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology
W-529 Nebraska Hall
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0514

Tel:  402-472-3334
Fax: 402-472-8949
E-mail: slg at unl.edu
http://hwml.unl.edu
http://lamarck.unl.edu/woodrat
http://lamarck.unl.edu/zoo
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