The Indianapolis Museum of Art's plan to employ 100 students through a federally funded work-study program is on hold, pending a compliance review by IUPUI.
The IMA announced on Monday that it would institute a new security program that includes the use of IUPUI students filling the role of "visitor assistants." Also on Monday, the museum fired 33 full-time and 23 part-time security guards. The changes are part of a revamped security program that includes enhanced electronic surveillance and adding 14 reserve police officers who will patrol the museum complex.
Education Department rules say students in the work-study program can work at businesses, government agencies and not-for-profits, but they can't be used to displace existing employees. IUPUI spokesman Rich Schneider said the university is responsible for compliance. "The museum's position is that this program it announced doesn't displace," he said. "That's what the review is about."
In the meantime, IMA spokeswoman Katie Zarich said the museum will continue to use visitor assistants and cover 100 percent of their $10-per-hour wage.
"We're hoping to get it resolved as quickly as possible," Zarich said.
According to the IMA's Monday press release, the visitor assistants will "provide increased security and enhanced customer service, while reducing costs associated with security." The museum said on Monday that its new security model would save $600,000 a year. The visitor assistants would earn $10 per hour, but the museum would pay only 25 percent of that amount. The security guards who were eliminated earned on average $11.50 per hour.
In a letter to museum staff on Thursday, CEO Maxwell Anderson explained how the role of "visitor assistants" differs from that of security guards who were let go.
"The role of visitor assistants is primarily to focus on customer service," Anderson said. "The visitor assistants are trained ambassadors of the museum experience; they are posted throughout museum galleries and the rest of the campus. They receive training about the museum's permanent collection and its special exhibitions in order to better answer visitor questions."
Anderson said in his e-mail that the IMA had recruited students with various language skills, and that many are pursuing careers in art history or museum studies. "Their involvement with public safety is the same as that for any staff member, volunteer, or visitor: if you see a problem, alert someone of authority."
The museum has been working with IUPUI's work-study office for some time on the new security program and the role of students. Neither Schneider nor Zarich could explain why the university would decide at this point to review compliance.
In his letter to staff, Anderson blamed news coverage.
"Unfortunately, media coverage insinuating that the visitor assistants were a direct swap out for former security staff has brought undue attention to this program," he said.
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Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.
Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.
I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.
The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.
I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!