University of Hawaii Pushing Navy Research Center

Some University of Hawaii officials and faculty members are still pushing for a Navy research center on campus despite the Faculty Senate's rejection of the project, according to an AP story. University lawyers are reviewing the contract for a Navy University Affiliated Research Center to address concerns of faculty leaders who recently voted against the proposed military partnership. The vote against the center could be overturned if 100 professors sign a petition asking for a vote of all Manoa campus faculty members, according to the report. University faculty representatives voted 31-18 against the center, with opponents expressing fear it could disrupt existing programs, set up publication restrictions on research and allow for weapons development on campus. Proponents, however, say the center, which would be the nation's first new one in more than 50 years, would bring millions in Department of Defense grants in its first five years of operation. The country's four Navy-backed centers are at the University of Washington, Penn State University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Texas-Austin. Source: Associated Press