The University of Hawai'i at Manoa Faculty Senate has issued what would appear to be a definitive statement, a vote of 31-18 opposing the establishment of a Navy-funded research center on campus.

But was it? The vote was taken by a show of hands, when any recommendation on such a controversial issue should have been decided instead by ballot. For those who might favor the plan, it would have been tough to truly vote your conscience in a public show of hands, with protesters, some of them colleagues holding signs opposing the project.

This of course does not mean that votes cast in private would have produced a significantly different result.

But those who favor the university-affiliated research center (UARC) proposal should have welcomed any boost in the credibility of the vote — especially considering that 30 of the 79 senators were absent.

There's still the possibility that, under senate rules, the resolution could be challenged. Anyone from the faculty could circulate a petition and, with 100 names, could call for a polling of the entire teaching staff. That referendum could compel the senate to reconsider its vote.

Ultimately, the UARC must be approved by the interim chancellor, Denise Konan, before it moves on to the Board of Regents for a final vote.

In a written statement released yesterday, Konan complimented the senate on the "deliberate dialogue conducted in a tempered and civil manner," but is still reserving judgment on the proposal.

"The vote is reflective of divisions on our campus that require our attention," she said. "As I come to a decision on how to proceed, I will be considering all of the perspectives articulated."

Simply put, the verdict is not in yet.

What's needed is the clearest understanding possible of how the faculty stands on the issue. A general plebiscite of the faculty would be good.

While it's true that individual researchers could choose whether or not to work in the UARC, the entire faculty should have a say on an initiative that could affect the UH mission so significantly.

And in spite of all the heat generated by the UARC proposal over recent months, cool heads must prevail. Konan should hear the voice of the Manoa faculty, not only those who turn up at a meeting and raise their hands.