Berkeley Chancellor Mischaracterized Dealings with BP as "Open"

FTCR plans to ask the UC Regents to investigate why UC Berkeley kept the documents secret.

Among other things, the appendices list names and resumes of faculty members who might be involved with the institute. Ironically it lists some professors who have publicly opposed the deal and were surprised to be included. Stressing the school’s desire to appear business friendly, another appendix reprints an article from "Inc." magazine naming Berkeley as the first choice on a list of "Five Universities You Can Do Business With."

If you don't tell your own faculty what you're doing, how can the public believe what you tell us? These ivory tower fat cats have been sucking up to BP every way they can to get this deal and yet they want us to believe that BP won't set the research agenda and take advantage of them. It boggles the mind. Now, thanks to the students we see exactly what's been happening.

The university's Faculty Senate is scheduled to consider the BP deal at a meeting on April 19.

John M. Simpson writes on many consumer and public policy issues for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR). He is a veteran journalist who held top editing positions at international, national and community newspapers. Most recently he was executive editor of Tribune Media Services International, a syndication company. He was previously deputy editor of USA Today and editor of its international edition.

[Editor's note: Late yesterday we received a series of emails from the UC Berkeley NewsCenter. Links to these articles and the description that came with them are provided so that readers can see the University's point of view and for the additional information they provide pertinent to this issue.]

In a package of articles, the Berkeleyan offers details on the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), including answers to often-asked questions, an overview of the social-science component of the research effort, a primer on intellectual- property issues, and an update on Academic Senate involvement. Read the first UC Berkeley NewsCenter story here.

Other UC Berkeley NewsCenter articles:SENATE WRESTLES WITH INDUSTRIAL ALLIANCES. On April 19, the Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate will hold a special meeting to discuss competing views related to the industry-sponsored research contract to establish the Energy Biosciences Institute.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the partnership with BP to create the Energy Biosciences Institute.

Information about the background and objectives of the Energy Biosciences Institute.

ENERGY BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE TIMELINE.
Dates and details on the process leading to creation of the Energy Biosciences Institute.

SHIFTING TO A BIOFUELED WORLD
Much of the buzz over the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) has centered on the promise of new, cleaner fuels from renewable resources. Equally important will be research by EBI partners into the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the move toward biofuels.

Carol Mimura, of the campus's Office of Intellectual Property and Industry Research Alliances, helps explain the role of IP in transferring technology to benefit society.

Previous Articles from the California Progress Report on this issue:

Robert Reich on the UC Berkeley-BP Project California, ...

Biofuel and the BP-UC Berkeley Research Deal: A "Win-Win" Agenda? By Miguel A. Altieri and Eric Holt-Gimenez. With royal fanfare, British Petroleum just ...

Questions Raised About $500 Million BP-UC Berkeley Alternative ...“In launching this visionary institute, BP is creating a new model for university-industry collaboration,” said UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor for Research ...

UC Berkeley Must Avoid Stanford Mistake That Allowed Big Oil ...UC Berkeley is planning a $500-million research deal with BP aimed at creating new technologies for carbon-neutral fuel. ExxonMobil has a similar deal with ...