Several post-secondary schools apparently want a share of the robotics campus that Gov. Bob Riley first talked about in a meeting with The Daily's editorial board. That was during the last gubernatorial campaign, when the governor tabbed Calhoun Community College as his choice for the campus.

Naturally, other schools, including Wallace State at Hanceville, want the campus. Two-year Chancellor Bradley Byrne said this week that a research university might be a better fit for robotics research.

That seems logical, but to break up the concept and dribble it out around the state for political reasons would be a shame. The state has the opportunity to put the entire campus at Calhoun and draw from nearby University of Alabama at Huntsville's research expertise.

The concept that continues to expand includes robotic training, robot demonstrations and research. Having all high-tech components on a single campus in a one-of-a-kind complex would bring far more prestige to the state.

Already robotics manufacturers are agreeing to provide $42 million worth of robots. They may not have committed so heavily to the program, though, knowing of the intent to carve it up for political purposes.

The chancellor said the governor will make the final decision about location. Hopefully, he believes the impact of keeping the components together is important. And hopefully, he's committed to the larger goal of creating a world-class complex in Decatur at Calhoun.

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