Brandeis Magazine

Brandeis University and four Rose Art Museum supporters who filed suit two years ago against the university over its handling of the museum during the financial crisis have settled the case and say they are now focused on the future of one of the region’s greatest cultural treasures.

As a result, the claims of plaintiffs Meryl Rose, Jonathan Lee, Lois Foster and Gerald Fineberg have been dismissed in Suffolk Probate and Family Court in Boston. On June 20, the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General terminated its review of Brandeis.

“This is a very good day for Brandeis and the Rose Art Museum and people who care deeply about both,” said President Fred Lawrence. “The Rose is and will remain an active and valued part of Brandeis. We are thrilled that this is behind us and we look forward to celebrating the museum’s 50th anniversary this fall.”

The settlement agreement, which brings to an end all claims concerning management of the Rose and the potential sale of artwork, states that the Rose is, and will remain, a university art museum open to the public and that Brandeis has no plan to sell artwork.

The origins of the dispute stretch back to January 2009, when the board of trustees, in the midst of a historic economic downturn, voted to authorize the sale of artwork if necessary — a move that sparked widespread and prolonged controversy.

However, the university sold no artwork, and 13 months ago Brandeis announced it would explore a range of alternatives to the sale of art as a means of realizing value from a portion of the collection while maintaining ownership of the artwork.

Malcolm L. Sherman, chairman of the Brandeis Board of Trustees, called the settlement “an outstanding resolution of a difficult community issue.”

The agreement notes that the settlement followed “a series of constructive and collegial conversations about the Rose Art Museum and its future” between President Lawrence and the plaintiffs.

Allen Alter ’71, former head of the Brandeis Alumni Association and a current university trustee, commented, “This is great news for our alumni, who treasure the Rose and take pride in it as part of the Brandeis experience, and for future students.”