C. A. ELVEHJEM 



nuclear physics to be, in addition, a bookkeeper, is asking too 

 much. 



This is one reason universities require overhead allow- 

 ances for each project, allowances which are intended to help 

 maintain the building in which the research is to be conducted 

 and pay for the electric lights, heat, and the accounting person- 

 nel and machines needed to keep the record straight. In the 

 past, universities have been in large measure content with what 

 has actually been an unreal overhead figure because they con- 

 sidered it part of their educational function to conduct re- 

 search, and the difference between overhead received and over- 

 head required was budgeted as an educational cost. As we ex- 

 pand our laboratories, however, to perform our social obligations 

 as research institutions, it is only realistic that we must also ask 

 for a more accurate appraisal of what our overhead actually will 

 be and that all identifiable indirect costs be recognized. 



Although the amount of money for research in universities 

 steadily increases, the grants are still provided on a project 

 basis, with no provision made for building new laboratories 

 and equipping these laboratories with modern apparatus. This 

 places universities at something of a disadvantage because in 

 most instances we must, with rising enrollments, place first 

 priority on classroom and dormitory space. It is conceivable 

 that, unless provision for laboratory construction is included 

 in many of our project contracts, we may find in a relatively 

 short time a sudden shift in the amount of basic research from 

 universities to industry despite the obvious advantages uni- 

 versities possess for this type of research. This is especially true 

 in the field of engineering, anc | t some extent in medicine, 

 where very expensive equipment is required. I do not mean 

 to imply that this is going to take place; I believe we have 

 sufficient foresight to avert any significant trend in this direc- 

 tion, but it would be appropriate to devote some thought and 



I02 



