University museum seeks independence

摘要

One of the larger and more unusual natural history collections in the United States' is considering splitting from its parent university in a move that, while symptomatic of the low academic priority often placed on traditional museum activities, could have serious repercussions for teaching and research. The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle is renowned for its ornithology specimens, including the world's largest collection of extended bird wings. It plans to become independent of its current owner, the University of Washington, largely because of a lack of financial support from the university to fund a modernization and expansion project.