Consumer group attacks UC-Berkeley for ties to Big Oil

[Newsjock]

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_5430375

First it was Hollywood producer Steve Bing taking Stanford University to task for its partnership with oil giant Exxon Mobil. Now a consumer rights group is attacking UC-Berkeley for its multimillion-dollar deal with oil producer BP aimed at creating an institute to study new and cleaner energy.

A day after the Mercury News reported that Bing rescinded a promise to give $2.5 million to Stanford - citing the use of the university's name in Exxon Mobil's advertising campaign - the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights sent letters to every UC Regent stating it is "deeply concerned" about the $500 million Berkeley-BP partnership announced last month.

Saying that Berkeley should learn from Stanford's "mistakes," foundation president Jamie Court said the regents should do everything they can to protect the public university's academic autonomy and integrity as it partners with Big Oil.

... He urged the regents to carefully scrutinize the proposed arrangement with BP, paying special attention to wording that he says gives the British-based company some exclusive rights to the research developed at Cal, as well as rights to use UC-Berkeley's name in BP's advertising and marketing efforts.

[fed-up]

1. don't forget UC Berkeley ties w/Monsanto &firing/rehiring Ignacio Chapello nt

[SoCalDemGrrl]

2. No, not Cal say it ain't so