In 1930 Curtis was appointed director of the University of Michigan observatories, but the shortage of funds following the Great Depression prevented the construction of a large reflector he had designed for the university at Ann Arbor.
În 1930, Curtis a fost numit director al observatoarelor Universității din Michigan, dar lipsa de fonduri în urma Marii Depresiuni a împiedicat construirea unui reflector mare pe care el îl proiectase pentru universitate la Ann Arbor.