Published May 24, 2019
Colleagues:
Over the past 18 months, federal intelligence, security, and science agencies as well as Members of Congress of both parties have expressed growing concerns about national security due to external interference in research programs at universities in the United States. This includes theft of intellectual property, breaches in scientific integrity and targeted cyberattacks. In response to these concerns, UB and research universities across the country are examining conflicts of commitment, time and interest policies that are in place to protect faculty, students, state and federal funding agencies from accusations of undue external influence.
At UB, we are committed to core values of freedom of speech and inquiry, open sharing of knowledge and the integrity of our scholarship. In order to address emergent risks to our research enterprise, I am forming a Task Force on Safeguarding University and Faculty Assets and Interests to evaluate potential security threats and external influences and to recommend strategies to address concerns affecting faculty and students both on campus and while traveling abroad. Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Venu Govindaraju, will serve as chair. The Task Force will be informed by guidance provided by AAU and APLU, which is included here.
We will keep you apprised of developments.
Sincerely,
Charles F. Zukoski Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
