The only determination made herein upon the facts and law presented is that LAUC is a public body performing a govermental function. This determination cannot be read to apply to any other committee or organizational entity at the University. Although initially compelling, the argument by respondent that public disclosure of proposed research will stifle research at the University cannot prevail. The chilling effect on research complained about by respondent can enure only if detailed descriptions of a particular project are revealed to the public. No such requirement is present here.
Petitioners only seek information concerning the treatment and handling of research animals.
While petitioners request in their petition that past actions of LAUC taken in violation of the Open Meetings Law are void in whole, they were not vociferous advocates of this position. The parties are reminded that the Open Meetings Law may not be used as either a sword of Damocles or soap box by petitioners to advocate their views or as a shield or curtain by respondents to thwart public scrutiny. The other arguments raised by the parties have been considered in their entirety. In light of the determination made herein they need not be addressed specifically. Petition Supreme Ct.