New NSF Advisory Committee

The National Science Foundation announced on December 7th that an advisory committee* has been formed to consider the effects of government support to colleges and universities on their research and teaching functions. Noting that while many millions of dollars have been spent by government agencies during and since World War II for the procurement of services in technological developments in universities and colleges, the Foundation added that relatively few millions of dollars have been provided for research and education in the sciences, although in many instances these institutions are uniquely fitted to carry on such activities. “A closely related question to which the Committee may also give attention,” the announcement stated, “is how the Federal Government, in cooperation with the colleges and universities, may best develop and encourage research and education in the sciences. These matters will receive objective study and appraisal by the Foundation with the advice of the Committee. The results of the study may be expected to have substantial value both to government agencies and the institutions of higher education.”