piner@pur-phy.UUCP (Richard Piner) (12/14/85)
Posted: Fri Dec 13, 1985 3:39 PM EST Msg: QGIF-2136-7814
From: RPARK
To: WHATSNEW
CC: RPark
Subj: What's New
WHAT'S NEW, Friday, December 13, 1985 Washington, D.C.
1. RECISION is a word that spends most of its time just taking
up space in the dictionary, but a lot of researchers may be
learning to spell it in the next few weeks. As passed by
Congress, the Gramm-Rudman deficit reduction plan is retroactive.
Just where the cuts will fall should become clear in the next ten
days, but so few controllables are left that programs such as
basic research and student loans are likely to be abruptly
curtailed.
2. PORK-BARREL FUNDING OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FACILITIES
flourishes in the midst of austerity. Senator Proxmire (D-WI)
together with Senator Danforth (R-MO) attempted to delete $12
million earmarked for a computer facility at Syracuse from the
DARPA budget (What's New, November 8). As Proxmire noted, the
facility was not based on any competitive award, it has not been
subject to peer review and it distorts the national system of
allocating federal research dollars according to merit based
criteria. He further noted that the purpose of the earmarking
was to support the re-election of Senator D'Amato (R-NY).
Proxmire was answered by Senator Stevens (R-Alaska) who praised
D'Amato for his courage in the face of criticism from the
academic and scientific communities. Sympathetic to a brave
colleague in a time of need, the Senate upheld the Syracuse
project by a two-to-one vote.
3. EXPANDED USE OF POLYGRAPH TESTING of administration officials
is authorized by the President in a classified National Security
Decision Directive (see also, What's New, July 5). The President
first attempted to impose such expanded controls with NSDD 84,
issued two years ago after an embarrassing series of leaks to the
press. Strong criticism of NSDD 84 by Congress persuaded the
President to withhold its implementation. In an apparent effort
to avoid such criticism, the new directive was issued in
classified form--but it was immediately leaked to the press.
4. THE ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH LIBRARIES has issued a statement
reaffirming its commitment to the principle that unrestricted
access to and dissemination of ideas are fundamental to a
democratic society. This statement was motivated by concern that
recent actions of the federal government have served to undermine
the principle of open access. They note that the dynamic
development of computing communications and storage technologies
is resulting in a set of established systems that bring risks of
constraints along with promises of efficiency.
5. THE POSITION OF SCIENCE ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT will
apparently be filled on an interim basis by NSF Director Erich
Bloch (What's New, December 6). No official announcement has
been made.
Robert L. Park (202) 429-1946
American Physical Society THAT'S ALL 12/13/85