As a land-grant research university founded to improve the economy of South Carolina, Clemson University considers the entire state to be its campus. For more than 100 years, we have served the state by taking our research and educational programs to the areas where industries were located, rather than asking industries to come to us. It is a model that we have followed in launching the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville and are now following to create a research campus in North Charleston.

Recent articles in The State have generated many questions, and some misunderstandings, about the Clemson University Restoration Institute. We would like to clarify several important issues, specifically the central focus of the research campus, the origins of the institute, our commitment to public review and academic freedom, the role of Sen. Glenn McConnell, funding strategies and legal agreements.

� Issue: The central focus of the North Charleston research campus

Facts: The central focus of the institute is economic development through research and educational programs that generate innovation and an educated workforce, which in turn attract industries and businesses. The �crown jewel� of the Restoration Institute, or any university-centered economic development initiative, is the educational component � the endowed chairs, graduate programs, state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment, and research opportunities.

In building the institute, we hope to help South Carolina capitalize on what has been called �the restoration economy.� The economic activity related to rebuilding, renovating, revitalizing and restoring built and natural environments is enormous and growing. Nationally, 94 cents of every construction dollar is devoted to existing infrastructure, so the potential economic impact is substantial. With its commitment to historic preservation, environmental sustainability and quality of life, the Lowcountry is the perfect laboratory for research and educational programs that will help attract those companies.

This was the vision we presented when we requested state funding earmarked specifically for research related to economic development through the S.C. Research Universities Infrastructure Bond Act. Standard economic impact formulas suggest that the 20-year build-out of that research park could generate 2,000 to 4,750 new jobs.

� Issue: The origin of the Restoration Institute

Facts: The institute was approved by the Board of Trustees on April 9, 2004, and a cornerstone graduate program in historic preservation was approved almost a year earlier. The institute emerged from campuswide efforts to identify emphasis areas where Clemson could concentrate resources and build nationally competitive programs to support the growth of a knowledge-based economy. The idea was to match existing faculty strength and opportunities for external support with South Carolina�s economic opportunities and needs.

� Issue: The importance of public review and oversight

Facts: Clemson has frequently and openly discussed the Restoration Institute and its interest in the Lowcountry. Plans for the institute have been the subject of six news releases, a direct-mail newsletter distributed to alumni and friends in Charleston, a media briefing and symposium with nationally regarded restoration economy expert Storm Cunningham held at the North Charleston Convention Center on April 3 and attended by more than 150 people, and presentations made by Dean Janice Schach to three Chambers of Commerce, two Rotary Clubs, two international groups and two area economic development organizations. The project has been discussed at two meetings of the Clemson Board of Trustees and a meeting of the S.C. Endowed Chairs Review Board � all of which are open to the public.

We also have been open about our long-term goal of having facilities dedicated to research in the area. Although the institute will have studio space in our Charleston-based architecture center, we have known from the start that research on large-scale artifacts could not be conducted in a downtown facility because of space limitations. Clemson�s original involvement in the Lasch Laboratory was purely scientific, when our faculty began a collaboration to study some intact textile material found on the Hunley. This work led to further materials science research, which opened doors to the possibility of gaining access to the Lasch Laboratory. It seemed to be a perfect match. Confidentiality became necessary only when we reached the stage of finalizing legal agreements and contractual obligations � a necessity recognized and permitted under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act.

� Issue: Protection of academic freedom

Facts: Academic freedom is one of Clemson�s unshakable core values and is central to the integrity of any research university. It is equally important to respect discoveries made by and intellectual property owned by other researchers. Our agreement to seek prior approval from the Hunley Commission relates to research that relies on data that the commission developed and therefore owns. Such agreements are not unprecedented and are subject to two safeguards that protect academic freedom. First, faculty members choose what research they will and will not do, and we have declined research grants because of restrictions. Second, graduate students may publish dissertations that are �impounded� temporarily, so that restrictions on publication do not delay their graduation dates. To date, Clemson faculty involved in research on the Hunley have published three papers, have two more in press and have given nine presentations before international symposia and conferences.

� Issue: Sen. Glenn McConnell�s role

Facts: The articles do not accurately portray Sen. Glenn McConnell�s role in the development of the Restoration Institute and the subsequent negotiations with North Charleston. The senator�s interest in economic development of his district is understandable and appropriate, and his leadership role in the restoration of the Hunley is widely known. It is entirely appropriate that we sought support from the senator and other area legislators as well as business leaders and economic development officials. At no time did we discuss a �quid pro quo� for future state support. Clemson has followed all appropriate university and state policies and procedures in seeking approval of the institute and degree programs, legal agreements and infrastructure funding. When we decide in the future to request targeted state appropriations for the institute, we will follow the appropriate legislative process, just as we did this year in seeking $2 million for the Greenville automotive campus.

� Issue: The commitment of $35 million

Facts: The $35 million figure referenced in The State includes the value of land donated by North Charleston, the value of the Lasch Laboratory donated by the Friends of the Hunley and funding for an endowed chair. The appraised value of donated land, facilities, equipment and endowments should not be considered �expenditures� because they are permanent assets.

We estimate that the initial cost of phase one of the research campus will be $13.5 million. To help fund this phase, we have requested $10.3 million in state funds earmarked for research projects related to economic development. That money will be used to upgrade and expand the materials research capability of the Lasch Laboratory beyond marine artifacts, demolish unusable buildings, improve infrastructure and landscaping at the site, and build the first phase of a teaching facility. This request, which was endorsed by the S.C. Endowed Chairs Review Board in an open meeting, must still be approved by the Joint Bond Review Committee and the Budget and Control Board, adding two additional levels of public oversight and scrutiny.

The balance will be funded through diverse sources, including institutional funds, program generated revenue, gifts, grants, contracts and appropriated funds. In addition, we anticipate spending about $800,000 per year in operating costs for three years. We believe there are ample research, federal funding and private gift opportunities to support the Lasch Laboratory�s ongoing research in materials science and historic preservation, and that we will be successful in attracting private industry partners to the institute campus just as we have been in Greenville.

� Issue: Limits on Clemson�s commitment to the Hunley preservation

Facts: We have a three-year commitment, with a target date of having the Hunley ready for display by February 2009. The agreement includes an option for the Hunley Commission to terminate the agreement at that time if we have not made substantial progress, or to extend the agreement if both parties find it in their interests to do so. Each of us has the right to terminate the agreement at any time with notice.

The Clemson University Restoration Institute is a large, complex project that has taken years to evolve and will take many more years to fully develop. We entered into the project only after lengthy internal discussion, due diligence and debate. We concluded that the institute is right for Clemson and right for South Carolina, and we remain fully committed to its completion.

Mr. Barker is president of Clemson University. For links to related documents, go to http://clemsonews.clemson.edu/CURI/response/index.html.