U. to study effects of laws on research

Increased government regulations since Sept. 11 are not only affecting airports and large city buildings, but also institutions of higher education, prompting them to look at how an atmosphere of stepped-up security will pertain to academic research enterprises.

The Penn community, which actively engages in many research endeavors, is exploring the ramifications of federal anti-terrorist legislation on research in Penn laboratories.

The recently formed Committee on Classified Research will consider the University's research policy since the passage of legislation such as the Patriot Act of 2001, which can restrict certain people from conducting certain types of research, and the Bioterrorism Act of 2002, which has imposed new research regulations.

The committee, comprised of senior faculty members from various schools, was formed by University President Judith Rodin and Provost Robert Barchi and will be chaired by Physics and Astronomy Department Chairman Tom Lubensky.

"The committee was prompted by new events that happened after the Patriot Act," Barchi said, "and the realization that there would probably be an increase in requests for research that would be designed to reduce the threat of bioterrorism and cyberterrorism."

Barchi emphasized that the University is not going to change its research enterprise.

"We are not looking to change our position -- we are asking faculty to look at the position," Barchi said.

"Classified research" is a government term for research which, in the interest of national security, is restricted. Technicians involved in the project need security clearance, and the results are not disseminated through normal channels.

Currently, the University does not engage in any classified research, Barchi said.

"The committee was convened because of possible changes in the atmosphere of research and changes in the rules of dealing with foreign students and associates," Lubensky said.

"Our charge is to try to think about what the best policy of research is," he added.

"We are going to look very carefully at the Patriot Act and the current regulations about classified research in light of a whole range of concerns that are held by people across the University," committee member and History Professor Lynn Lees said.

The committee will consider specifically whether the University and faculty should be allowed to conduct classified research and how to reconcile regulations and the desire for open communication.

Additionally, the team will examine Penn's response to federal regulations, which prohibit the involvement of researchers in certain federally-funded projects on the basis of nationality or personal history.

According to Lubensky, a number of universities are exploring the same issues and, as of yet, "no one knows exactly what the horizons are."

Still, Lubensky said, "We want to be prepared and have the best policy for us when the climate changes."

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