Valerie Wright has resigned from her position as registrar of the Rose Art Museum, and the University is seeking a replacement for this position, according to a Dec. 23 e-mail Provost Marty Krauss sent to the Brandeis community. Krauss also announced in her e-mail that she would be actively searching to hire a new director of education at the Rose, a position that has remained vacant since Emily Mello resigned last June. According to Krauss' e-mail, Wright terminated her position as registrar after receiving an offer to serve as registrar of the Art Museum at West Virginia University.

Wright wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that she made her decision to leave in November.

She explained that this decision was a difficult one for her to reach but that West Virginia University is providing her with a unique opportunity.

"Despite the economical difficulties experienced nationally, [WVU is] deciding to build a museum. They recognize the importance a museum grants to students of fine arts, sciences, and students in general," she wrote.

Krauss said in an interview with the Justice that she learned of Wright's decision around Thanksgiving.

Krauss said Wright's departure was amicable, and she was not surprised by the decision.

"People often make career choices as they are building their career, and she found the opportunity at West Virginia University very appealing," said Krauss.

Roy Dawes, the current director of operations at the Rose, wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that Wright's decision was slightly surprising but that he understood her justifications for making the decision.

"She has worked diligently through this difficult time period here at the Rose and I wish her the best," Dawes wrote.

Dawes explained that he was currently reviewing resumes for a new collections manager to replace Wright and will begin conducting interviews within the next few weeks.

When asked for a time frame regarding the announcement of Wright's replacement, he wrote that he hoped the position would be filled as soon as possible.

Krauss said in an interview with the Justice that she consulted with the Office of the Arts, the Rose staff, and representatives from the Fine Arts department in an effort to reach the decision to look for a new director of education.

Dawes wrote that he is in the process of forming a search committee for the director of education. He did not respond to a follow-up e-mail asking who would serve on the committee.

Krauss said the committee would ultimately come to her with their recommendation.

She said that she expected to have the position filled by the end of the year.

Michael Rush, the former director of the Rose; Emily Mello, the former director of education; and Jay Knox, the former administrator, are no longer working at the museum.

Prior to Wright's departure, Dawes; Wright; and Director of Financial Control, Budgeting and Analysis Karina Sheerin constituted the remaining staff.