National Solar Observatory Chose Colorado Over U Of Alabama In Huntsville For 'Practical Reasons', UAH President Robert Altenkirch Says

The September announcement that the new home of the National Solar Observatory directory headquarters would be in Boulder, Colo. rather than Huntsville was for "practical reasons." That's what Robert Altenkirch, new president at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, said in response to a question today while speaker to the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville. UAH and the University of Colorado were the finalists for the NSO directorate headquarters, which included an annual payroll of $20 million and untold value in prestige. The New Jersey Institute of Technology, where Altenkirch was president before coming to UAH, was a partner with the University of Colorado on its proposal.