"I've lived in an atmosphere of hostility andsurveillance," said Elizabeth Carella, curator forthe history of photography.
"It has been a house divided," said assistantto the director Eileen Caves, who herself has beenembroiled in the controversy.
Stager put it more diplomatically in aninterview last night: "It's been a verybusinesslike atmosphere."
As they prepare to leave, the staff isemphasizing the role of the museum in acquaintingthe public about the history and culture of theMiddle East.
"We have these public exhibits with the ideathat we can educate people by making them aware ofthe cultural heritage of the ancient Middle East,"said Coordinator for Public Programs ElizabethThyne.
And visitors of the museum have praised theirprojects and exhibits. Since 1992, when the musuemreopened to the public, the museum has hostedexhibits such as "Crossings of the Ancient World,""Ashkelon by the Sea," "The Jewish Experience atHarvard and Radcliffe" and "Harvard's ArabianNights."
"The Semitic Museum is a place where Arab andJewish people of all temperaments can cometogether," said Florence Wolsky, a museumcontributor. "It's unique."
Despite the museum's popular exhibits, thegrowing deficit forced Knowles and the advisorycommittee to choose between the public aspects andthe academic interests of the students.
"The report has prioritized the activities ofthe museum and has said that the support...forstudents and faculty comes ahead of the prioritiesof public programs," Knowles said yesterday.