University negligence leads to destruction of priceless fossil collection

In 2024, in the United States, a professor of environmental science and paleontology at William Paterson University, Martin Becker, filed a lawsuit against the university. The lawsuit stemmed from the negligent handling of a valuable fossil collection, dated to be 380 million years old. Becker, who dedicated extensive time gathering the fossils from Wayne, New Jersey, intended to send nearly 200 of them to a colleague in Florida for a collaborative project. However, after the packages were picked up by UPS on June 18, they inexplicably went missing during transit. Despite multiple follow-ups with the university mailroom supervisor, Raymond Boone, Becker was left without the tracking and insurance information he needed. It wasn't until late August, after exhaustive attempts to get information, that Becker discovered through UPS that his fossils had been intercepted due to William Paterson University's failure to pay their outstanding invoices. By that point, the university’s account with UPS had been canceled, which led to the tragic disposal of Becker’s fossil collection in an unidentified landfill in Nashville, Tennessee. This event shocked Becker, who had invested significant time and effort into curating the collection. The lawsuit claims the university conducted itself recklessly regarding Becker's monumental collection, directly leading to its loss. The suit suggests that Boone was aware of the financial issues as early as July 8, yet failed to adequately inform Becker or take action to prevent the mishap. Becker is seeking damages for his loss and medical expenses due to the emotional distress caused by what he describes as a preventable disaster. The case raises serious questions about the university’s responsibility in maintaining proper shipping procedures and protecting valuable scientific assets. As the lawsuit unfolds, it highlights the broader implications of academic institutions' accountability for the treasures they house, particularly those that are irreplaceable like rare fossils. The ongoing situation has prompted discussions about the value of scientific collections and the necessary safeguards institutions should have in place to prevent negligent actions that endanger such invaluable resources.