Deaccession Policy and Disposal

The Kelsey Museum will retain objects in its collections as long as they retain their physical integrity and their compatibility with the Museum's purposes and mission. Objects not meeting these criteria may be deaccessioned for disposal. The term "object" as used herein refers to individual objects as well as collections of objects which have integrity as a group, such as materials derived from the same excavation.

Deaccessioning

Deaccessioning is the procedure by which an object is permanently removed from the collection for subsequent disposal. It is a legal procedure, essentially irreversible, which is to be undertaken only with proper and thorough consideration. In no case should an object be separated from its pedigree or archaeological context. Whenever possible, the disposal process for a deaccessioned object should attempt to ensure that the object will continue to receive proper care, will retain its documentation, and will remain accessible.

Deaccessioning of any object requires the unanimous approval of the Curators and the Director, and two-thirds of the Executive Committee.

Deaccessioning Procedure

1. Initiation of deaccessioning process.
Individual Curators may propose to the Director the deaccessioning of an object. If the Director concurs with the judgment of the Curator that the object under consideration is of insufficient value for purposes in keeping with the mission of the museum, s/he will convene a meeting of the Curators for further deliberation.

2. Directorial and Curatorial approval.
The Director and Curators must arrive at a unanimous decision to deaccession an object in order for the action to be proposed to the Executive Committee of the museum.

3. Executive Committee approval.
After unanimous agreement to deaccession an object is reached by the Director and Curators, the Director will present the proposal to deaccession to the Executive Committee. A two-thirds vote to deaccession is required by the Executive Committee members for an object to be deaccessioned.

Disposal

Disposal refers to the actual transaction by which museum objects are removed permanently from the premises of the museum.

The Kelsey Museum, as a unit of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) of the University of Michigan, is subject to the guidelines and policies issued by these governing bodies. University policy and procedures on the disposal of museum objects are defined in Sections 517.1 and 517.2 of the 1989 U-M Standard Practice Guide and in the Policies for Disposal of Materials for the Museums of the College of LSA, The University of Michigan (1985) [henceforth LSA Policies].

These policies and procedures are generally in conformance with accepted practices promulgated by the American Association of Museums and other such professional organizations.

The Museum is required to attempt transfer of objects within the University or within the public domain, when appropriate (LSA Policies, p. 2). The following channels of disposal are recommended:

1. Exchange or transfer within the University.
Disposal to other LSA museums through exchange or transfer will be considered before considering disposal to other museums within the University.

2. Exchange with or sale to public museums.

3. Public auction.
If the object to be disposed of has been declined by other U-M affiliated museums and subsequently by institutions in the museum community outside the University of Michigan, the preferred means of disposal is sale at public auction. The sale will be approved by the Office of the Vice President, in accordance with Section 3.07 2 d. of the Regents Bylaws.

Restrictions on Disposition

Disposal of museum objects may not be to private individuals without specific and explicit approval of the Executive Committee of the Museum. In accordance with the Kelsey Museum Code of Ethics, 1995, the Museum will not allow acquisition of deaccessioned objects from its collections by any Museum employee, officer, volunteer, member of its governing board, or his/her representative.

In conformance with the College of Literature, Science and the Arts' policies and Codes of Ethics of the Kelsey Museum and American Association of Museums, proceeds from the sale of collections materials can only be used to purchase objects appropriate to the Museum's mission.