U of C moving ahead with research center

CHICAGO About 8 percent of the university's full-time faculty -- 101 professors -- have signed a letter to university president Rober Zimmer saying they fear a research center named for Friedman would negatively impact public perception of the faculty's intellectual and ideological diversity.

However, Zimmer and Provost Thomas Rosenbaum indicate they remain committed to the project. Rosenbaum says the university will put $500,000 toward launching the center next year. The hope is the center will eventually have a $200 million endowment.

History of religions professor Bruce Lincoln is calling the proposed research center a right-wing think tank. He says the university's reputation will take a serious rightward turn as a result.