The administration of Fort Hays State University announces that the school will close the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in December.

 

According to a statement issued this week by University President Dr. Tisa Mason, the museum will close on December 18 due to budget cuts. During the most recent legislative session, state lawmakers cut $2.4 million from the school's recurring base budget and also asked the school administration to identify an additional 10% administrative reduction.

 

Mason notes that the museum has not been financially stable for some time. On average, it spends about $1.3 million a year and generates about $470,000 in revenue from visitors, memberships, grants, and sales. Additionally, the building that houses the Sternberg Museum faces more than $20 million in deferred maintenance.

 

The university has stated that museum faculty and staff will spend the remainder of the year reviewing the collections and determining which specimens need to be retained for research and teaching.