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Controversy emerges over use of 'state climatologist' title(Comtex Environment Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug 24, 2006 (Cavalier Daily, U-WIRE via COMTEX) --Disagreement continues between University officials and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's office surrounding the contested power of appointment of the Virginia state climatologist. Patrick J. Michaels, a University environmental science professor, has held the title of state climatologist since 1980. Michaels has long expressed the belief that nature, rather than man, plays the primary role in global warming. August 19, the Associated Press reported that coal utilities contributed to the funding of Michaels' research. In the wake of this discovery, the Governor's Office is seeking to ensure that Michaels' research positions are not perceived as the views of the state. The debate centers on the question of for whom Michaels actually speaks and who appointed him to the position. According to the governor's press secretary, Kevin Hall, Michaels does not hold a governor-appointed position and his controversial views do not represent the opinion of the Commonwealth. "We scoured the code of Virginia and there is no mention of the governor appointing a state climatologist in the law," he said. "The American Association of State Climatologists now reviews the credentials and certifies individuals to have that title in each state. So, as a result ... it is our determination that it is not a governor's appointment." Hall went on to say that following this research, the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth drafted a letter to University President John T. Casteen, III stating this information and "suggesting from here on out that Michaels should sharply reduce his use of the title of state climatologist and make it clear that he is the AASC designated state climatologist." The letter obtained by The Cavalier Daily states that Michaels and his office at the University have received AASC certification but this does not give him the authority of a gubernatorial appointment. Environmental science chair Joseph Zieman, however, said that Michaels does in fact retain a position appointed by the governor, based on a 1980 letter of appointment provided to The Cavalier Daily. "The governor's office says he's not a gubernatorial appointment, yet I have a letter in my hand from [former] Gov. John Dalton appointing him state climatologist," he said. "Now, if the governor... turns this back to the University saying 'you do what you want from now on,' that's the governor's prerogative." In the letter to the University, however, the Governor's Office said historically evidence shows no gubernatorial appointments for state climatologist after 1980. The appointment apparently fell into limbo until the responsibility for appointment was overtaken by the University in 2000. "My office has been unable to find evidence that any governor since 1980 has made such an appointment," the letter reads. "The University assumed authority for the state climatologist office and title in the 2000 certification application. Therefore, it is the prerogative of the University to make that appointment." Zieman went on to say that while the AASC does have the authority to certify an office, it does not have the power to appoint an individual. "My interpretation is that the organization looks at a person's credentials -- do they have a Ph.D. and are they qualified to be a state climatologist -- and they certify that one is, and they can certify that an office like ours is a certified office, but they can't appoint people in the state or at a university," he said. According to Zieman, as state climatologist, Michaels advises state officials on various environmental aspects, including the effects of droughts, floods, crops and heavy rain. It is the work Michaels has done on global warming as a private consultant, however, that is more controversial. "When he talks about the stuff that has raised the controversy ... in that context he is not speaking for the University any more than the governor," Zieman said. Michaels will meet with the University provost today to review the letter received from the governor's office. He declined to comment at this time, saying he felt it was inappropriate to do so until he spoke with University officials and reviewed this information. Copyright (C) 2006 Cavalier Daily via U-WIRE |