A MESSAGE TO THE NATIONAL LABORATORY COMMUNITY

Richard C. Atkinson
President
University of California

January 16, 2003

The Board of Regents yesterday engaged in a thorough discussion of the recent shortcomings in business practices at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of California's response. The Regents were very clear about three things:

First, the University is fully engaged in getting to the bottom of the allegations that have been made - regarding both the business operations of the Los Alamos lab and the dismissal of individuals at the lab who were investigating aspects of those operations - and to restore confidence in the business and administrative practices of the laboratory. The University's obligations to the nation as manager of the laboratory require nothing less. The University will not tolerate any kind of "cover-up" of inappropriate activities at the lab and is implementing business controls and installing new management personnel to resolve recent issues in a manner that is both decisive and fully accountable to the public.

Second, the Regents will play a strong oversight role in this process. Three Regents will serve on the oversight panel that will advise the interim laboratory director on the overall business operations of the laboratory, and The Regents' laboratory oversight committee will meet at least monthly or as often as needed for the foreseeable future in order to exercise close and diligent oversight of the University's efforts to correct management shortcomings and restore confidence in the lab's business operations.

Third, while the University is fully focused on addressing the issues that have been raised at Los Alamos and putting in place a strong management structure at the laboratory, the University remains committed to managing its three national laboratories. The University of California has a 60-year history of providing effective stewardship and superior science at Los Alamos and its sister institutions at Berkeley and Livermore. The University has always viewed its work in managing these laboratories as serving the national interest of bringing the nation's top scientists together to focus on the nation's most pressing scientific and security issues. The University's commitment to serving the nation's security interests is unwavering, and we plan to constructively confront any challenges that might lead to the termination of this contract. As the Department of Energy considers the future of the University's role in administering the laboratories, The Regents will retain full authority in determining the University's course of action.