UT Watch recently challenged the UT System's decision to study a possible bid to manage the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In response to their criticism, I ask: Why not?
Since its establishment in 1943, Los Alamos has supplied cutting edge research in the realms of national defense, counter terrorism, supercomputers, nanotechnology, aeronautics, superconductivity, human genetics and virology. A few of the many yields that have resulted from such research include medical advancements that are assisting to find the cure to HIV and AIDS; the development of technology that monitors the theft and movement of illegal nuclear and chemical materials; the success of NASA's Genesis Probe; the production of a new superconducting tape, that will one day be used to help with environmental pollutant cleanups; and the development of a computer program that can predict climate change.
Through a strategic partnership with Los Alamos, the UT System would be able to increase its leadership in these cutting edge advancements, thus bringing enormous prestige to our faculty and researchers. Such an alliance would also afford our graduate and post-doctoral students the most advanced research opportunities in the country, making them more desirable to future employers.
Such a management opportunity would also bring tremendous economic benefits to the UT System. In addition to funding the over $2.1 billion budget of Los Alamos, as well as compensating for an annual reimbursement of more than $9 million in overhead costs, the Department of Energy currently pays more than $8.7 million a year to the University of California System for their management services. It is likely that these financial incentives will only increase as the contract undergoes the bidding process.
Regardless of how one feels about the research being done at Los Alamos or the potential impact it could offer the UT System, the laboratory will continue to operate. I would hope that UT Watch recognizes the downfall of having a private corporation, which is only interested in increasing its bottom line, managing the facility. It is paramount that an institution whose core mission is to teach, research and provide public service be involved in the management of Los Alamos.
It is clear that the UT System must be involved in order to progress the integrity of such a valuable national asset. It is my opinion that the regents should aggressively continue in their pursuance of this bid. Haley is a government senior and the 2003-2004 SG President.
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