FARGO, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota University System chancellor says potential customers who are interested in teaming with North Dakota researchers on fields like unmanned aircraft are balking because of the state's open records laws.
Chancellor Mark Hagerott told the state Board of Higher Education during last month's meeting that some leading research universities are afraid to partner on projects because they fear the state isn't doing enough to protect its data, especially in light of recent worldwide events involving the spread of information.
Hagerott, who was the focus of a 2016 open records dispute that was made public last month, says he was raising the point "as an open question" and the issue would be addressed by the board's governance committee.
The Legislature recently passed a bill on protecting university research.