Despite the historically rocky relationship between universities
and the FBI, the two sides are set to begin a reconciliation
process today, but busy schedules may hamper this process before it
even begins.
The National Security Higher Education Advisory Board, an elite
group of university heads appointed by the FBI director to increase
communication between the two sides, is set to hold its first
scheduled meeting today in Washington, D.C. But at least two of the
17 university presidents appointed to the board will not be in
attendance ““ and they’re both from the University of
California.
UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale and UC San Diego Chancellor
Marye Anne Fox ““ the only UC representatives on the board
““ both have prior commitments preventing them from attending
the meeting.
UCLA officials said Carnesale was traveling and could not be
reached for comment.
Though UCSD officials were unsure of Fox’s schedule,
university spokesman Barry Jagoda said Fox has two prior
commitments in the San Diego area today. She is set to host a race
for charity, Jagoda said.
“Chancellor Fox is very actively involved in a variety of
federal activities, but (Friday) she’s offering a challenge
to the students with the Chancellor’s 5K Race,” he
said.
It is unclear exactly how many of the university representatives
will attend the meeting. The board is scheduled to meet three times
a year.
Last month, FBI Director Robert Mueller appointed 17 university
heads to increase communication and collaboration between the FBI
and academics. The universities represented include Johns Hopkins
University, Texas A&M University and the University of Florida.
Graham Spanier, president of Pennsylvania State University, is
chair of the board.
The board’s creation marks a shift in the nature of the
relationship between the FBI and higher education.
Though FBI spokesman William Carter said the FBI has
“always had a dialogue with colleges,” disputes between
the two sides, especially those involving the UC, have been
well-publicized.
During the 1960s and ’70s, then-FBI Director J. Edgar
Hoover led extensive campaigns to monitor student protesters,
leading to riots at UC Berkeley.
In the post-Sept. 11 era, members of the academic field have
expressed concern over changes that allow increased FBI access to
university library records.
Whether the relationship between colleges and the FBI improve
remains to be seen, but Carter said bettering the FBI’s image
was not the reason the board was created.
The aims of the board, he said, are to increase communication,
to give advice on the culture of education and to create new
research and consulting opportunities within the higher-education
community.
The development of new internships, research opportunities and
degree programs could aid in FBI recruitment efforts.
Carter also said the nature of some of the research done at
universities poses a security risk, and this may be addressed by
the board.
“Many of these universities receive a great deal of U.S.
government research, which in many cases are of a classified
nature,” he said. “There is an interest on the part of
foreign governments to exploit the research being done at these
universities. This is the type of information we would like to
discuss with these presidents.”
From the academic side, the university heads will have an
opportunity to express concerns ranging from technological issues
to the treatment of foreign students.