Change at the Top: NSF and OSTP

WALTER MASSEY RESIGNS:

Word is spreading in Washington today that Dr. Walter Massey, Director of the National Science Foundation, has resigned. NSF has no further information about this development at this time.

Massey was named to this position in March, 1991, for a six year term. His departure from NSF comes at a critical time, as the Clinton Administration is starting to put together its FY 1994 budget request, now expected to be released in late March. The NSF is also scheduled to appear before a House Appropriations subcommittee in March on its budget request.

JOHN GIBBONS’ SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING:

Yesterday (January 26), President Clinton’s nominee for the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. During the two hour hearing, John H. Gibbons outlined his thinking on a number of science policy issues, including his relationship to Vice President Al Gore on science policy development.

Gibbons has had a long and successful relationship with Congress, dating back fourteen years since becoming Director of the Office of Technology Assessment (for more background, see FYI #5.) Gibbons clearly impressed the Members of the committee, and a vote on his nomination is scheduled tomorrow morning. Gibbons outlined what he sees as requirements for this position, as well as that of the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, a hat which he will also be wearing. Among these requirements are the ability to “translate” scientific issues into terms which average citizens can understand, as well as integrating differing perspectives into a coherent national science policy. He does not see himself as a proponent of science, but rather as an agent fitting science into the national agenda. Gibbons is clearly delighted with this position, declaring at one point, “This job before me is what I want to be when I grow up.”

Gibbons spoke of President Clinton’s appreciation of the importance of science and technology (having met with him for an hour) and indicated general support for a new Senate technology bill. He discussed the need for merit review, and denounced congressional earmarking. Gibbons, referring to public/private efforts such as Sematech and the battery consortium, said “I think it’s a good idea.” On the SSC, he said, “It is excellent science,” and declared that it was not only important for Texas, but for physics. The U.S., Gibbons said, must work harder at getting foreign support for the project.

In response to other questions, Gibbons said the Clinton Administration views science and technology as key components of economic growth, noting that he is part of the core group for the newly established National Economic Council (which has been constituted along the lines of the National Security Council.) When asked what science and technology programs Clinton Administration officials had advanced with him, Gibbons said, “they are waiting for me,” adding that an agenda would be forthcoming in a matter of weeks. He will be attending a meeting of senior White House staff at Camp David this weekend.

On shifting large amounts of money from defense to civilian research, Gibbons expressed caution, saying that it will take years to accomplish. Anything faster, he said, would be wasteful. Rather than establishing a civilian DARPA, Gibbons indicated his support of using existing federal resources, such as the national labs and NIST, to better advantage. Gibbons also spoke of using a merit review system in providing money to these federal facilities.

In discussing basic research, Gibbons said that “time and time again...[basic research] lifts our spirits...provides us with new options” for material wealth and environmental improvements. He spoke of this research both on the laboratory bench scale and at large facilities.

In response to a question on the space station, Gibbons compared it to the SSC, saying that both should be viewed as international projects. He characterized the station as not so much science, but rather as an application of technology.

Gibbons, answering another question, said that he has known Vice President Gore for many years. Gore will take leadership in environmental and technology issues, while Gibbons sees himself in the role of an “honest broker” to Clinton. Gibbons said that he expects to be spending a great deal of time with Gore.

Finally, condensed matter physicists take note: One of Gibbons’ final questions was about over-all priorities among 21 different “critical technologies.” Gibbons said that he felt there is more to be gained by looking at inner space than outer space, calling condensed matter physics and chemistry a “wellspring of opportunities.”