Commission Criticizes Proposal to Redirect Smithsonian Projects

Proposals to shift research programs at the Smithsonian elsewhere would cut at the heart of the institution’s contribution to science, a special commission charged Friday.

“The disruptive potential is mind-boggling,” said Jeremy A. Sabloff, chairman of a commission formed earlier this year to study Smithsonian science programs and recommend improvements.

The federal Office of Management and Budget has proposed cuts in the institution’s budget that would delay opening of an art museum under renovation, cut programs at several other museums and transfer funding for three major research centers to the National Science Foundation. An appeal to OMB to reconsider those proposals as it prepares the president’s budget for 2003 has been turned down.

Sabloff said the independent science commission was particularly concerned about the proposal to shift funding to NSF for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Shifting those funds to NSF wouldn’t save money but would force the centers to compete with other researchers for funds rather than having dependable, long-term support for their work, he said.

“Inexplicably, OMB proposes to disrupt excellent, productive scientific centers without cutting spending,” the commission said in a statement.

When the commission was set up earlier this year, Congress ordered that no changes be made in Smithsonian science programs until it completed its study and produced recommendations, Sabloff noted.

The OMB proposals “clearly appear to contravene Congress’ will,” the commission said.

The committee charged that the action was taken “without consultation with the science community, the NSF or Congress,” and called on OMB to set aside the proposals.

“If OMB will not reverse its current position, we strongly urge Congress to reject it,” the statement said.

The commission includes Smithsonian scientists and managers as well as outside experts from across the country. Sabloff is director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology.

Besides the Science changes, the cuts proposed by OMB would:

* Disrupt the opening of the Washington section of the Museum of the American Indian and reduce the number of objects on display.

* Postpone for a year completion of renovation of the closed National Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art.

* Eliminate public programs and reduce the number of exhibits planned at the Dulles Annex of the National Air and Space Museum, scheduled to open in 2003.