Kapuscinski says that was unacceptable. We were uncomfortable with being put in a situation where even raising the question and even raising the hypothesis was viewed as a bad thing. Amid intense competition for public research dollars, Kapuscinski says she understands the need for industry funding, but she worries corporate relationships can influence the questions researchers pursue. University Vice President for Research Christine Maziar says it's critically important that faculty members are free to define and pursue their own research agenda. Higher Education professor Melissa Anderson says it's easy to exaggerate both the perils and benefits of university relationships with industry, but she also says connections between corporations and academics are becoming more pervasive.
Many observers say what's at stake is public trust in an institution's scientists and research.
Bill Catlin covers business issues for Minnesota Public Radio.