piner@pur-phy.UUCP (Richard Piner) (12/02/85)
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 1985 4:36 PM EST Msg: YGIF-2125-2228
From: RPARK
To: Whatsnew
CC: RPark
Subj: What's New
WHAT'S NEW, Friday, November 29, 1985 Washington, D.C.
1. THE FREEZE ON INDIRECT COST RATES contained in the Senate
NIH appropriations bill (What's New, October 18) was rejected
in conference with the House. The indirect cost issue is
addressed in a report prepared by the White House Office of
Science and Technology Policy at the request of the House
Committee on Appropriations. The principal recommendation in
the report is that reimbursements for all administrative cost
pools should be a single fixed percentage of modified total
direct costs common to all universities. The report contends
there is no suitable explanation for two universities with
comparable facilities and research personnel to have large
variations in administrative cost rates.
2. REMAKING SCIENCE POLICY AND REVITALIZING SCIENCE RESEARCH
seems to be Topic A in Washington science circles these days.
On November 22, the National Science Board was given a
25-page report by an advisory council to the National Science
Foundation. The report identifies some troubling current
problems--among these: public anxieties about scientific
advances in such areas as biogenetics and arms technologies;
the need for more and brighter youngsters in basic research
and science teaching; dismal outlook for government funding
of academic and industrial R & D in times of fiscal
stringencies; and the lack of "collaborative research"
following the model invented in Japan. So what's to be done?
The recommendations range from developing better public
understanding of science to more participation by scientists
and engineers in public policymaking. NSF, says the report,
should engage in "bridge-building" between science
communities and the public, improving elementary and
secondary education, expanding adult education in science,
ethics and social responsibility, and regularly reminding
scientists about "the importance of public imput to and
public understanding of science." Thin stuff, some might
say. Yet on December 2 most of these matters will be
discussed again over dinner at the National Academy of
Sciences, where its president, Frank Press, will be host to
NSF Director Erich Bloch, Jay Keyworth (the president's
science adviser) and an influential sampling of leaders in
university science and industrial research.
3. THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW has been challenged by a
United States Geological Survey directive to their scientists
not to discuss publicly the recent earthquake in Columbia.
The intention appears to be to prevent needless public alarm
resulting from scientific speculation, but restrictions on
public discussion of unclassified information sets a
frightening precedent.
Robert L. Park (202) 429-1946
American Physical Society THAT'S ALL 11/29/85