Creating 1,200 jobs, a world-class research facility and even more prestige for MSU's already-praised Nuclear Physics Department seems like something the state government would support. But that doesn't seem to be the case.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's recently approved budget took away $1.9 million in funding from the Rare Isotope Accelerator, a U.S. Department of Energy project. The Legislature was wrong to take the funding away from MSU.
This lack of money is a big setback for the university in its competition to host the RIA with the University of Chicago's Argonne National Laboratory.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson has said the accelerator would bring in 800 construction jobs for the facility, along with 400 permanent jobs. Since Michigan lawmakers say the funding cut is a result of hard economic times, you'd think they would understand more jobs stimulate the economy.
Also, MSU's nuclear physics program was rated second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 1999. With the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory already on campus, MSU is a leader in nuclear research.
The accelerator would allow researchers to further their efforts and examine isotopes not found on Earth, discover new forms of medical therapy and further understand environmental issues.
With these benefits, it seems illogical to cut funding for this project. Lawmakers should fund MSU to get this research-oriented university back in the thick of the race.
MSU would receive more visitors and possibly more grants, accommodating faculty members to conduct cutting-edge research in the facility.
The project, partially funded by the federal government, would bring national attention to the university. Outside professors could come in and use the facility for their own research.
Cyclotron Director Konrad Gelbke said in April, "It will give not only MSU, but the state of Michigan, a world-class facility." With that reasoning, it only makes sense for legislators to provide money for the project.
MSU began researching the accelerator three years ago, with 10 staff members committing to the research. The Granholm administration is destroying this effort by pulling the rug out from under the university's feet.
Besides, if the federal government thinks the accelerator is a good idea, it only makes sense for the state government to support academic-oriented research in Michigan. Howard Gobstein, MSU associate vice president for governmental affairs, said a U.S. House subcommittee proposed $6 million be given for accelerator-oriented research.
The Legislature should think of this as a business opportunity if not from an educational standpoint. In order to make money, often times you have to spend some money.
The accelerator is like an investment of a little less than $2 million that would most likely make much more than that in the long run with the recycled income from new jobs and tourism.
