In a move surrounded by controversy, the University announced last Thursday that it has joined the Mt. Graham Large Binocular Telescope Project.
The telescope, which will be the most powerful in the world when completed in 2004, is to be constructed on Mt. Graham in Arizona.
The project has been criticized by various activist groups because of the telescope's location on land held sacred by Apache tribes for religious and ceremonial purposes.
This $4 million investment will give the University seven nights per year of astronomical observation time, in addition to access to other telescopes worldwide, according to a University news release.
"I am very happy that the decision was made," Astronomy Dept. Chair Robert T. Rood said. "It is essential not only to attract new graduate students and faculty members, but also to retain those we have now. Last year the mere possibility that the University may join the project gave us the best graduate applicant pool we've ever had."
The most innovative feature of the LBT is its two giant mirrors, each 27 feet wide. The combined light beams from the two mirrors will result in faster light collection and clearer detail, according to the press release.
University Provost Gene Block announced the decision in response to recommendations by an ad hoc advisory committee appointed by the University Faculty Senate.
The committee weighed the benefits and consequences of entering into the project, and concluded in its report that "the project is of vital importance" to the Department of Astronomy.
The committee also recommended the creation of a Native American Advisory Committee to guide future developments on Mt. Graham, and explore employment and educational opportunities for American Indians at the observatory and with the various universities involved.
Ad hoc Advisory Committee Chair and Politics Prof. Michael J. Smith voiced the collective opinion of the committee. "If the University of Arizona was willing to modify the way it deals with Native American communities, we recommended that the University should support investing in the telescope project," he said.
The report also included recommendations to re-evaluate and improve upon the University's relationship with American Indians, such as efforts to recruit more American Indian students and faculty members.
"These initiatives to improve relationships with Native Americans in Virginia are independent of what we do at Mt. Graham," Smith said. "The telescope was an occasion for us to look at our own behavior more critically and we were pleased to see that the provost agreed to act on those areas of improvement that we recommended."
Mt. Graham Coalition Coordinator Guy Lopez expressed dismay with the University's decision.
"We are adamantly opposed to the observatory on Mt. Graham," he said. "The University has proposed a bribery program to buy off American Indian peoples who have already stated unequivocally that they will not compromise."
Lopez, who met with Block on Monday, said he recognizes the University's efforts to address discontent with its decision.
"What the provost was really trying to show me is that he means to implement every recommendation in the committee report," Lopez said. "Right now we remain skeptical because we don't have any basis for trust. All we know right now is that the University's actions are contributing to the desecration of Mt. Graham."
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