Student-Faculty Committee To Discuss Museum Plans

A new student-faculty committee in the Anthropology Department will meet early next week to discuss the planned renovation of Peabody Museum, said Geoffrey W. Conrad '69, one of the two undergraduates in the group.

Major Stimulus

The proposed renovation was the major stimulus for the committee's formation, according to Antonio Gilman, second-year graduate student. "There were changes being planned," he said, "and students wanted to be in on them. Students require security."

The committee first met last month and prepared an eight-point program which recommended extending the hours the museum is open. The eleven members also studied proposals for change in the general examinations and in course requirements.

The group has no legislative power, said Gilman, but provides a chance for students and faculty to consult together. The five faculty members then report back to the department with suggestions.

Redistribution

The main goal of the architectural program is the redistribution of space to give priority to student needs rather than to exhibits, said Stephen Williams, chairman of the department and acting director of the museum. "We are anxious to discuss our plans with students in the department," he said.

The program for Science at Harvard has allocated $2 million for the project. Building is scheduled to begin in June 1970.

"Changes were made in the past," said Williams, "without long-range planning. If research space was needed, we took some space from an exhibit."

"Too much room is now devoted to exhibitions," he said. "We need more room for teaching. Students come to classes here and then leave. They have no place to study."

Out of the Attic

Williams added that he hoped that some of the collections which are now kept in the attic and are almost inaccessible to students will be brought down into the main building.

After nine months of work, Williams prepared a 100-page report outlining the problems of the Muscum and needs of the department. However, he stressed the fact that the architectural program is not yet finished and is still open to suggestion.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology was built in 1886 and has had no major renovation since 1917.