Letter

To the editor:

I have read with interest the article "Faculty Senate votes to keep Ward Center for Nuclear Sciences in operation" (Chronicle, March 22, 2001). Though Ms. Powers no doubt intended an impartial view, a few additional points should be made. First, the resolution adopted by the senate is appended [below] for comparison to the "failed" resolution printed in the article. Secondly, while opinions both in favor of and opposed to the adopted resolution were included, perhaps the most important information provided in favor of the resolution was omitted. Professor Joseph Ballantyne stated his view that the reason for the "disconnect" between the LAC report and the conclusion of the "Friends of the Ward Center" rests in the difference in the criteria used in the evaluation. The LAC presumably based its report on criteria contained in the charge given it by the VP for research, criteria that must be quite different from those contained in the Charter of the Ward Center, which is the basis of its operational philosophy. The center is admirably meeting the goals contained in the charter. Thirdly the remark of Professor Arms (quoted in the article) is curious. I assume that the "issue" he considers "too complex for those not familiar with the center" embraces the scientific, technologic and academic value of the Ward Center. Since the senators had sufficient understanding of the "issue" to create the Ward Center, including its charter, in 1996, I am persuaded that they would continue to have sufficient understanding to make a recommendation now on its future, as they did at the meeting on March 14.

--Francis A. Kallfelz,
the James Law Professor of Medicine

Resolution

Whereas the WCNS is accomplishing and expanding its mission to provide safe analytical and testing facilities for the education and research activities of faculty, staff and students at Cornell,

Whereas the WCNS is an open center available to users from all departments and colleges,

Whereas its resources are also available to users outside Cornell as part of the public service functions of the University symbolized by its status as the Land Grant University of the State of New York,

Whereas the WCNS has an increasing financial base and proposes to reduce its University subsidy from $200,000 per year to zero effective July 1, 2001,

Whereas there is an expectation that additional operating revenues for the Center will be forthcoming from the U.S. Department of Energy and NSF,

Whereas the cost to Cornell University's endowment is estimated to be at least 4.01 million dollars if the TRIGA reactor were to be decommissioned,

Whereas the Gamma Facility of the WCNS is also heavily used by Cornell researchers, and would cost approximately an additional 3.0 to 4.0 million dollars to relocate;

Therefore be it resolved

That the Faculty Senate reaffirms its 1996 recommendation that Cornell University operate the nuclear reactor, gamma cell, and associated analytical facilities as the Ward Center for Nuclear Sciences.