President Hockfield's Response

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Susan Hockfield, President

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Building 3-208
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Phone 617-253-0148

June 14, 2005

Professor Frank von Hippel
Princeton University
Program on Science and Global Security
221 Nassau Street, 2nd Floor
Princeton, NJ 08542-4601

Mr. John Ahearne
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
P.O. BOX 13975
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Mr. Richard Garwin
IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center
1101 Kitchaway Road, Route 134
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Dear Professor von Hippel, Mr. Ahearne, and Mr. Garwin:

Thank you for your letter of May 31st, which arrived just as MIT began Commencement week.

I share your concern that a complete investigation of Professor Postol's allegations be allowed to proceed. I can assure you that MIT has consistently pursued, and continues to seek, an investigation of these allegations, including review of both the relevant classified and unclassified record.

On the subject of the Department of Defense Inspector General materials, MIT has been advised by a representative of the Inspector General that a Freedom of Information Act request is the appropriate way for Professor Postol to obtain the material considered in the Inspector General's process. There is no reason why Professor Postol cannot obtain these materials in this manner, or why MIT should disregard the position of the Inspector General on that question under the Inspector General's process.

Sincerely,

Susan Hockfield