Critics Open Fire On Shakhashiri As He Exits Education Post At NSF

Despite praise from Congress, others charge that his single-minded drive for bigger budgets alienated many scientists WASHINGTON - Muted by the uproar following the removal of Bassam Shakhashiri as head of the directorate for science and engineering education at the National Science Foundation is the applause of many scientists who are glad to see him gone. "There aren't any tears being shed around here, I can promise you that," says one NSF program officer. "Most of us see it as a chance to

Jeffrey Mervis

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Despite praise from Congress, others charge that his single-minded drive for bigger budgets alienated many scientists

WASHINGTON - Muted by the uproar following the removal of Bassam Shakhashiri as head of the directorate for science and engineering education at the National Science Foundation is the applause of many scientists who are glad to see him gone.

"There aren't any tears being shed around here, I can promise you that," says one NSF program officer. "Most of us see it as a chance to get the directorate back on track; some are just looking forward to an improvement in their day-to-day existence."

The source of their relief is the June 1 announcement by NSF Director Erich Bloch that senior science adviser Luther Williams is switching jobs with Shakhashiri as part of a reorganization to create a $300 million education and human resources program. It was one of the most controversial moves ...

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