WHAT'S NEW, Friday, 27 January 1989 Washington, DC

1. RICHARD NICHOLSON IS PICKED FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE AAAS,
replacing Al Trivelpiece who resigned after less than a year to head Oak Ridge National Laboratories (WN 30 Sep 88). Nicholson is currently the Assistant Director of NSF for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He joined NSF 18 years ago from Michigan State where he had been associate professor of chemistry. When he assumes his new duties in mid-April, he will be serving one of his former bosses at NSF, Richard Atkinson, who was Director of the NSF from 1977-80 and who ascended to the presidency of AAAS last Friday. Nicholson was Director of the Division of Chemistry during that period. Atkinson is now Chancellor of the University of California at San Diego. In addition to managing the world's largest scientific association, the Executive Officer of the AAAS is an important spokesperson for science on policy issues.

2 . MEANWHILE, NSF IS FORCED TO CONSIDER AWARDING ONE-YEAR GRANTS.
Normally, NSF grants are for three years, but since Congress appropriates funds only one year at a time, NSF is placing bets when it commits funds for the second and third years. Last year they were forced to renege on some commitments, particularly in condensed matter theory, which suffered 12.5% cuts across the board. The NSF's initial response to complaints was to deny it was happening, which created an ugly scene (WN 4 Mar 88). Not all commitments will be honored this year either according to NSF sources. To avoid a problem next year as well, Erich Bloch is insisting on strict adherence to a long-standing NSF policy of committing no more than 65% of current-year funding. To stay within this guideline, it may be necessary to award some one-year grants, but NSF officials insist it is only on paper. A full proposal will not be required for renewal the second year. Who will be most affected? You guessed it, condensed matter theory.

3. THE REASSIGNMENT OF THE HEAD OF DOE'S FUSION ENERGY PROGRAM
to lead a task force on global climate change has raised the average temperature in the magnetic confinement community. John Clarke has headed the magnetic confinement program since 1982. Robert Hunter, the Director of Energy Research, who has only held his job since September (WN 23 Sep 88) and who may not survive the Bush transition, is said to have fundamental differences with Clarke over the direction of fusion research (WN 16 Dec 88). But, the positive spin control from within DOE insists that global climate is a high priority and Hunter needed an experienced and capable person to lead the effort. Meanwhile, Hunter is busily campaigning to hold on to his job in the Bush administration.

4. THE MOST IMPORTANT SCIENCE APPOINTMENT SO FAR IN THE BUSH
ADMINISTRATION was made on Wednesday. Still no Science Advisor, but Bush named Robert E. Grady to be Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget for Natural Resources, Energy and Science. Grady, a Stanford MBA, was a Bush campaign advisor.



Bob Park can be reached via email at whatsnew@bobpark.org
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Opinions are the author's and are not necessarily shared by the University, but they should be.