In January, Rich Linton (vice president for research and graduate studies) mentioned a new University “technology incubator” facility to be built along with some points about the ORI building controversy in a letter to the editor in The Register-Guard.
In the letter, he did not disclose any location for the incubator building. A 2004 report by a consultant about the incubator building, titled “Business Plan for a Technology Incubator,” mentions it could be located at the current Oregon Research Institute site if they were to move. What is really going on here? Where is this technology incubator being built and what is it? Is the incubator project stalled by ORI being tangled up in appeals court?
I do not blame Linton for not mentioning all the details. I blame reporters for failing to ask him about the newsworthy and largely unknown projects underway. It is hard for the public to appreciate or be interested in the academic research at the University if they know nothing of it. Less sports reporting and more research about University research initiatives and potential building sites would result in better University planning and greater public support.