To the Office of the President Community

January 8, 2003

I am today announcing the appointment of Senior Vice President Bruce Darling as interim vice president for laboratory management.

Bruce has agreed to take on this vital task in addition to his regular duties as senior vice president for university affairs. He will continue to oversee the University’s operations in government relations, external affairs, alumni and fundraising.

You probably know that the University’s management of the national laboratories has come under question in recent weeks after a series of developments at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham has been clear: the Laboratory’s current problems have called into question the University’s ability to manage Los Alamos.

I will be equally clear: together, we will address Secretary Abraham’s concerns and restore the confidence we have enjoyed for much of our 60-year association with this crown jewel of the nation’s scientific enterprise.

Bruce will be working with Provost Jud King and Senior Vice President for Business and Finance Joe Mullinix and their staffs in the days and weeks to come. But he and I will also be calling upon a number of people here at OP to lend their best efforts to addressing management issues at Los Alamos. The task lies before all of us. It will demand the best efforts, and some sacrifice, from a great many people.

Bruce most recently chaired a Special Review Team of senior University officials charged with making an independent review of the business practices and controls in place at Los Alamos. As a result of two visits to Los Alamos by Bruce and the Senior Review Team, I have taken a series of steps to ensure that the laboratory adheres to the best business practices, including the requirement that all financial and business practices report for an interim period to UC Vice President Anne Broome. The Los Alamos auditor will report to UC Auditor Patrick Reed. I am also appointing an oversight board to ensure that recommended changes in business practices be implemented in a timely manner. Additional actions will be announced in the near future.

Bruce Darling is one of my oldest and closest associates. He has a number of attributes that make him an admirable fit for this important additional responsibility. He has considerable experience in meeting complex management challenges, possesses a broad background in public affairs, is a notable problem-solver, and as a longtime member of the university’s senior management team is extremely knowledgeable about the University of California.

He serves on the board of the California Council on Science and Technology, Californians for Higher Education and the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UC Santa Barbara.

Bruce will serve until a permanent vice president for laboratory management is appointed. In the near future, I will appoint members of the search committee that will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent vice president for laboratory management.

In the meantime, I know that all of you will respond with your customary talent and energy if Bruce should call on you.

Richard C. Atkinson
President