piner@pur-phy.UUCP (Richard Piner) (11/15/85)
Posted: Fri Oct 25, 1985 4:28 PM EDT Msg: LGIF-2099-6713 From: RPARK To: WHATSNEW CC: RPark Subj: What's New WHAT'S NEW, Friday, October 25, 1985 Washington, D.C. 1. NSF POLICY ON SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FACILITIES is described in a notice to presidents of universities and heads of other NSF grantee organizations. According to the notice signed by Erich Bloch, "In fields in which research is especially dependent on specialized facilities and a compelling argument is made that facilities are required to achieve specific research and education objectives, facilities support will be provided." Since no new funds have been appropriated for this purpose, the change in policy comes at the expense of project grant support. In hearings on the University Research Facilities Revitalization Act of 1985 (H.R. 2823) several university administrators who testified in favor of the bill were nonetheless concerned with its effect on project grant support, since in its present form the bill simply dictates a set-aside for facilities from research budgets. When asked how much of DoD support went toward facilities, Col. Donald Carter, Acting Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Advanced Technology replied, "Currently our funding for bricks and mortar is low--as a matter of fact it is zero." 2. 'STAR WARS' ENTHUSIASTS ARE STRIKING BACK. They are angered by the actions of many physicists opposed to the Strategic Defense Initiative (see What's New, October 18) and concerned that such acts may weaken Reagan's position in Geneva. To gain backing for SDI at home, some 100 groups, including the National Conservative Political Action Committee and the Heritage Foundation, have formed a Coalition for the Strategic Defense Initiative. The coalition produced a TV commercial to counter a 30-second spot aired by the Union of Concerned Scientists at the end of May (see Physics Today, July 1985, p.58). The new TV ad shows a child's crayon drawing of a family in front of its house and a little girl's voice explaining that "Star Wars" is to protect us against nuclear weapons--"that's why the President wants to build a peace sheild." As she speaks a dome appears over the scene and missles hurling into it are destroyed, as the dome dissolves into a rainbow. The coalition plans to raise $1.7 million to buy air time in 30 prime markets. Meantime, on October 24 another newly formed organization, the Committee on the Present Danger, headed by C. Douglas Dillon and Henry Fowler, two former Treasury secretaries and including such former Democrats turned Reaganites as Max Kampelman, Paul Nitze and Eugene Tostow, announced the results of a nationwide public opinion poll indicating limited understanding of defense matters but wide support of SDI. Some 37% were unaware of the Star Wars program but of the rest, 41% favored it and 14% opposed the program. Once the polling people explained SDI as the Reagan administration would like it understood, the percentage liking the idea rose to 78%. Robert L. Park (202) 429-1946 American Physical Society THAT'S ALL 10/26/85