U.-Va. plans to comply with Cuccinelli subpoena

It looks like the University of Virginia does not plan to resist a subpoena from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) asking for documents related to the work of climate scientist and former professor Michael Mann, despite requests from some advocacy groups that it does so.

In a statement this evening, university spokesman Carol Wood said the school has received a 60-day extension to reply to the civil investigative demand. The new date for handing over documents related to Mann's work is July 26. But while she said that it is appropriate for groups like the ACLU and the American Association of University Professors -- both of which have urged the university's visitors to go to court to resist Cuccinelli's request -- to weigh in, the school plans to turn over documents it retains from Mann's tenure at the school. He left in 2005.

"The attorney general has broad authority to initiate an investigation such as this. And we are required by law to comply with the AG's request," Wood said. "At the same time, it is important that groups like the Faculty Senate and the AAUP take a stand. They are the ones able to initiate a public debate about state policy and whether the policy needs to be reviewed.

"The University has never received a complaint or allegation of academic misconduct on the part of Professor Mann. Had we, as a research institution, we have ample procedures in place to address such allegations. And while we may not understand the basis of the CID, we will gather what information may still reside at the University."