Posted on: Friday, May 6, 2005

EDITORIAL
UH research center debate has just begun

The end of the sit-in at the University of Hawai'i's Bachman Hall signals the welcome launch of true dialogue about Navy-funded research, an openness that should have existed when the earliest discussions began two years ago.

Conflict has centered on whether UH should establish a University Affiliated Research Center, through which would funnel $50 million in research contracts.

Even now that tensions have eased, the center's staunchest foes are unlikely to yield on a philosophical opposition to potentially classified studies going on in a public university setting.

It's unlikely that any amount of further consultation — worthy in itself — will bring about complete accord.

Instead, the aim should be one of frank and detailed disclosure about the nature of the proposed agreement, about the kind of assurances the Navy has given UH officials on the rights of researchers — all the particulars should come out on the table.

Gary Ostrander, the UH vice chancellor for research, seems willing to offer transparency: He said written agreements with the Navy would be public documents, open to review. That's a relief to hear.

At this point, few people have a clear understanding of how this UARC would work, and both the university administration and the opponents must share the blame for that. Ostrander has been on the job only since January, and even he acknowledged that consultations could have begun much sooner than they did.

However, neither the angry outbursts from opponents at the few public forums held to date, nor the polarizing tactics such as campus sit-ins have contributed much to the discourse.

This is not the way a public university should conduct its business.

It's time for the real conversation to begin.