FOCUS (part 2): Classified Information

(continued) · After 20 years, the debate about the Science Center's charter has faded in the minds of most administrators and faculty who were present for the 1969 debates. And student activists, whose knowledge of the University only goes back a few years, have moved on to other issues and other causes. Ironically, today's student activists have become concerned about the very issue that concerned their parents' generation -- classified military research on campus. While students decry the proposed razing of Smith Hall to build a DOD-funded Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, classified military research continues undisturbed only blocks away. · The University City Science Center's charter states that: · "the UCSC should only seek research contracts oriented to the enrichment and prolongation of human life, and should not accept contracts whose purpose is the destruction of human life or the incapacitation of human beings." · "no contract be entered into where the needs for secrecy are so extreme as to forbid revelation of its very existence." Top University and Science Center officials said they are unaware of the charter which was so hotly debated in 1969. Louis Padulo, current president of the Science Center, said "I'm not aware of it [the policy]." Padulo also claimed that he had "heard lots of such discussions," but that he "had never heard anyone talk about it." "Is it a hot topic right now?" he asked. Padulo said that although most of the science center's funding comes from the National Institute of Health, a portion of the center's funding that comes from the Department of Defense. "Some must come from the DOD," Padulo said."I would hope so, since they are one of the main players." Padulo did not hide the fact that the Science Center takes confidential research for the military. He said that since the 1960s, universities have "figured out ways to take projects that require confidentiality. It's a way of doing business." He cited the University as an example. Padulo said, however, that unlike the 1960's, accepting classified research "does not involve evil versus good." And since the 1960's universities "had to figure out what work is appropriate so as not to distort the university," Padulo said. Padulo said that a university has to put "safeguards" in place, in order to make things "appropriate." He added that administrators have "figured out loopholes in order to do lots of different things." One loophole, put into research policies after the UCSC charter was changed, allows for this possibility. The clause is referred to as a "one day in seven" policy. It stipulates that one day out of seven, a university professor is allowed to pursue research, consulting, or manangment for external institutions. Davies said he knew of several colleagues that practice under this law, but declined to give names. And Padulo said the "one day in seven" clause has allowed University researchers to participate in Science Center projects that do not fall under the University's research guidelines. University President Sheldon Hackney said he is unaware of classified research taking place at the Science Center, and that "it would not even occur [to him] to wonder." The University still maintains a large block of shares in the science center, although their policies remain separate. "These policies are not ours," Hackney said.

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