New Report Triggers Changes in the NRC

A panel of eminent science and engineering administrators has delivered some stern advice to the National Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences, in a report on how the council does its business. The review concludes that the council takes too long to produce many of its reports, is not responsive enough to its sponsors, lacks clear lines of authority, and its staff is too often frustrated and stressed. To fix these problems, the panel urges the academy "to reduce unnecessary layers of approval," delegate more authority, appoint a chief management officer, and create "a service-oriented culture."