Association of American Universities •1200 New York Ave., NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005 •(202) 408-7500 Association of Public and Land-grant Universities • 1307 New York Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005 • (202) 478-6040 ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES February 6, 2012 House Committee on Oversight an

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu February 3, 2012 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW OTHER CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES House Panel Holds Hearing on Patent Office Report on Prior User Rights UPDA

 Dear Dr. Collins:
We write to bring to your attention a proof-of-concept research provision in the recently enacted reauthorization legislation for the Small Business Innovation and Technology Transfer Research (SBIR/STTR) programs.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu January 27, 2012 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW OTHER CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES House Panel to Hold Hearing on Patent Office Report on Prior User Rights GA

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu January 20, 2012 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW OTHER CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES Congressional Leaders Delay Consideration of Internet Piracy Bills NEW EXEC

ENERGY SCIENCES COALITION The Energy Sciences Coalition (ESC) is a broad based coalition of organizations representing scientists, engineers and mathematicians in universities, industry and national laboratories who are committed to supporting and advancing the scientific research programs of the U.S. Department of Ene

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu January 13, 2012 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AAU Comments on OSTP Public Access Request for Information NEW National Science Board Rel

1 The Association of American Universities (AAU) appreciates the opportunity to submit comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in response to its Request for Information, “Public Access to Peer-Reviewed Scholarly Publications Resulting from Federally Funded Research.” AAU is an association of 59

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu January 6, 2012 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AAU Responds to NIH Request for Suggestions on Managing NIH Resources NEW Commerce Departm

1 ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES President January 5, 2012 Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D Director, National Institutes of Health Building 1 -Shannon Building, 126 1 Center Drive Bethesda, MD 20892-2152 Dear Francis: On behalf of the Association of American Universities (AAU), representing 61 leading public and p

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 22, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Congress Fails to Extend Expiring Tax and Policy Provisions NEW FY12 Omnibus

 DOE FY12 Appropriations Table

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 16, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Congressional Leaders Appear Close to Tax-Extender Deal NEW House Approves F

 DOD FY12 Appropriations Table

Gregory A Jackson, Vice President (direct) +1-202-331-5351 (mobile) +1-773-936-9235 gjackson@educause.edu 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 900 Washington DC 20036 +1-202-872-4200 (main) www.educause.edu 13 December 2011 Chairman Lamar Smith House Committee on the Judiciary 2138 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C.

AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3433 OFFERED BY MR. CONNOLLY OF VIRGINIA Page 9, lines 20 and 21, strike ‘‘Except as provided in paragraphs (2)(B) and (3), the and insert ‘‘The. Page 10, strike lines 9 to 14 and insert the followwing ‘‘(B) COPY OF ABSTRACT OF PROPOSAL, 1 APPLICATION, OR PLAN.—A copy of the ab-2 stract of any proposa

 We write to request that you delay the implementation of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Program.  The Department of Defense has issued a deadline of January 1, 2012 for institutions of higher education to sign the MOU in order to become or remain eligible for participation in the TA program..

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 9, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Negotiators Continue Work on FY12 Omnibus Funding Package NEW OTHER CONGRESSI

1 December 9, 2011 The Honorable Carl Levin The Honorable John McCain Chairman Ranking Member Senate Armed Services Committee Senate Armed Services Committee Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Howard P. McKeon The Honorable Adam Smith Chairman Ranking Member House Armed Services Committee House Arm

Association of American Universities 1200 New York Ave., NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 408-7500 ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES The Association of American Universities (AAU), representing 61 leading public and private research universities, would like to thank the Office of Science and Technology Po

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 2, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Status of Remaining FY12 Funding Bills Remains Unclear NEW OTHER CONGRESSIONA

The Association of American Universities (AAU) and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)  provide input on the Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Our members are committed to strengthening our nation’s biosecurity and protecting our country against potential biological threats. AAU and APLU support the Select Agent Program’s goal of overseeing the possession and use of potentially harmful pathogens and toxins as part of the government’s effort to prevent and respond to bioterrorism.

1 ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES The Association of American Universities (AAU) submits the following comments to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) discussion draft, Higher Education Accreditation Reauthorization Policy Considerations, issued on October 18, 2011. The

 AAU APLU COGR Joint Letter on GRANT Act

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu November 23, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Deficit Committee Fails to Reach Agreement NEW EXECUTIVE BRANCH Associations

On behalf of the higher education associations listed below, I write to share our views on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (“Committee”) Discussion Draft (“Draft”) issued Oct. 18, 2011. We commend the Committee members for the serious way in which they have approached the Secretary’s request, which is on top of their already extensive statutory responsibilities, and for their work in producing this document of options and considerations..

On behalf of the higher education associations listed below, I write to express our concerns with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program. The MOU was issued March 15, 2011 as the appendix to DoD Instruction 1322.25. Institutions are required to submit a signed MOU before January 1, 2012 in order to maintain eligibility to participate in the TA program next year..

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu November 18, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS With Short Deadline, Deficit Committee Faces Long Odds NEW Bipartisan Group

As you continue your work on the FY 2012 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill, we write as a community to express two commonly held, significant concerns with the approach outlined in the subcommittee proposal. First, we appreciate the difficult choices facing the Committee as it attempts to fill the existing $1.3 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program. As members of the higher education community, we are eager to assist you in finding the best way to achieve the necessary savings..

AAU, COGR response to NPRM issued by DOE regarding Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities.

On behalf of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), whose combined memberships include most of the major public and private research universities in the United States, we write to express our concerns about the proposed reduction in federal funding for the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) for fiscal year 2012. In our view, reducing the office’s budget by more than half would adversely impact the formulation, coordination, and implementation of policies that are integral to America’s scientific research and technology enterprise.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu November 10, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Senate to Take Up Second “Minibus” Next Week NEW --Conferees Continue Negoti

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Coalition 900 2nd St. NE Suite 205 Washington, D.C. 20002 sciencepolicy@agronomy.org Attention: Agriculture Appropriations Conference Committee November 4, 2011 Dear Conferee: As the Conference Committee continues to consider the FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu November 4, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Senate Approves First FY12 “Minibus” and Preps for Second UPDATED --Senate-Pa

October 28, 2011 The Honorable Patty Murray The Honorable Jeb Hensarling Co-Chair, Joint Select Committee Co-Chair, Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction on Deficit Reduction U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives 448 Russell Senate Office Building 129 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washingt

 AAU APLU FY12 CJS Appropriations Letter

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu October 28, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Senate to Resume Work on FY12 “Minibus” Next Week UPDATED Higher Education Co

 Higher Ed Association Statement to Finance Hearing on Charitable Giving Incentives

Dear Dr. Menikoff:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input in response to the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemanking (ANPRM) entitled Human Subjects Research Protections: Enhancing Protections for Research Subjects and Reducing Burden, Delay, and Ambiguity for Investigators (Notice Number HHS-OPHS-2011-0005), published in the July 26, 2011 Federal Register (76 FR 44512).

Attached please find a joint response to the ANPRM from the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

Spanier gives Harrisburg speech on benefits of research universities Monday, October 24, 2011 _Penn State President Graham Spanier was a guest speaker today (Oct. 24) at the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg, where he talked to a large crowd about the benefits of a large, complex research university --such as Penn

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu October 21, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Senate to Resume Work on FY12 “Minibus” on October 31 UPDATED AAU Sends FY12

Association of American Universities •1200 New York Ave., NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005 •(202) 408-7500 Association of Public and Land-grant Universities • 1307 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005 • (202) 478-6040 ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES October 21, 2011 The Honorable Tom Harkin The Honorable Den

 A two page fact sheet on the Department of Energy's Graduate Fellowship Program.

 Department of Interior FY12 Appropriations Letter

 Department of Defense FY12 Appropriations Letter

 Department of Energy FY12 Appropriations Letter

COALITION FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION Promoting U.S. Global Competence Contact: Miriam A. Kazanjian • E-Mail: makazanjian@earthlink.net Web: www.usglobalcompetence.org October 18, 2011 The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman The Honorable Tom Harkin, Chairman The Honorable Thad Cochran, Ranking Member The Honorable Ri

The Association of American Universities (AAU) today elected Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of Michigan, as its chair.  Her one-year term begins today, the final day of the association’s semi-annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu October 14, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Senate to Take Up Three FY12 Funding Bills as a Package UPDATED Organizations

 AAU submits comments to the NIH Working Group on the Future Biomedical Research Workforce.

www.innovationtaskforce.org 202-302-5392 Agilent Technologies Alliance for Science & Technology Research in America American Astronomical Society American Chemical Society American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering American Mathematical Society American Physical Society American Society for Engineering E

www.innovationtaskforce.org 202-302-5392 Agilent Technologies Alliance for Science & Technology Research in America American Astronomical Society American Chemical Society American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering American Mathematical Society American Physical Society American Society for Engineering E

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu September 30, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Congress Approves Week-Long FY12 CR NEW Congress Fails to Provide Patent Of

1 Written testimony of AAU President Hunter Rawlings before the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency. The committee is a House-Senate panel of the Texas legislature seeking advice on ways to improve higher education governance. Hunter Rawlings President, Association of A

September 26, 2011 The development of world-class talent in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is critical to Americas global leadership in forging new and transformative discoveries that benefit society. To do this successfully, we must foster a diverse and inclusive scientific co

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu September 23, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Passes FY12 Continuing Resolution on Second Try NEW House CR Does Not

Brandeis University Brown University California Institute of Technology Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Columbia University Cornell University Duke University Emory University Georgia Institute of Technology Harvard University Indiana University Iowa State University The Johns Hopkins Univers

1307 New York Avenue, NW 1200 New York Avenue, NW Suite 400 Suite 550 Washington, DC 20005 Washington, DC 20005 NEWS RELEASE For Release: IMMEDIATE – September 21, 2011 Contact: Paul F. Hassen, A۰P۰L۰U , 202-478-6073 Barry Toiv, AAU, 202-408-7500 Reach “A Big Agreement – Not Incremental Steps” on Deficit Reduction Univ

1200 New York Ave, NW 1307 New York Avenue, NW Suite 400 Suite 550 Washington, DC 20005 Washington, DC 20005 September 21, 2011 Hon. Jeb Hensarling, Co-Chair Hon. Patty Murray, Co-Chair U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate Hon. Max Baucus Hon. Xavier Becerra U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives Hon. Dave Camp

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu September 16, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Republicans Introduce FY12 Continuing Resolution NEW Senate Appropria

Research universities from across the nation today revealed details about how they are working to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization of research results leading to economic growth.

AAU Association of American Universities APLU Association of Public and Land-grant Universities COGR Council on Governmental Relations Association of American Universities 1200 New York Ave., NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 408-7500 Association of Public and Land-grant Universities 1307 New York Ave., NW, Was

 AAU and COGR respond to the July 15, 2011 Federal Register Notice on Proposed Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Control of Items the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control Under the United States Munitions List (USML).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Barry Toiv September 14, 2011 202-898-7847, barry_toiv@aau.edu AAU ANNOUNCES MAJOR INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE UNDERGRADUATE STEM EDUCATION The Association of American Universities (AAU), an association of leading U.S. public and private research universities, announced today a five-year initia

 AAU Undergraduate STEM Education InitiativeThe Association of American Universities (AAU) announced on September 14, 2011, that it would undertake a five year initiative to improve the quality of undergraduate teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu September 9, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Congress Will Need One or More Short-Term Funding Extensions for FY12 NEW Se

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC AND LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY MANAGERS COUNCIL ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2011 Association of American Universities: Ann

 A letter to OMB Director Jacob Lew urging the Administration to continue to make federal student aid and basic research priorities for strategic investment spending in the FY13 budget. 

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu September 2, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Senate Appropriations Committee to Begin Markups Next Week UPDATED EXECUTIVE

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu August 26, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW EXECUTIVE BRANCH NIH Releases Conflict of Interest Rule White House Releases Agency Regulatory Reform

 AAU comments on the new National Institutes of Health conflict of interest rule. 

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu August 19, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS OMB Issues Guidance for Agency FY13 Budget Submissions NEW EXECUTIVE BRANCH

 AAU, COGR Joint Comment to DFARS on Safeguarding Unclassified DoD Information

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu August 12, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Congressional Leaders Appoint Members of Deficit Reduction Committee NEW EXECU

CONTENTS
CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
Congress Approves, President Signs Debt Ceiling Measure UPDATED
Debt Agreement Provides Additional Funds for Pell Grants UPDATED
Debt Agreement Creates New Framework for FY12 Appropriations NEW
OTHER CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES
Senate Will Take Up Patent Reform in September NEW

AAU applauds the President and Congress for providing critical funding to sustain the Pell Grant program in the agreement to raise the ceiling on the national debt.

On behalf of the Association for American Universities (AAU) and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), please accept this request for an extension of the deadline for submission of comments in response to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) titled, “Human Subjects Research Protections: Enhancing Protections for Research Subjects and Reducing Burden, Delay, and Ambiguity for Investigators.” We request an extension of at least an additional 30 days.

CONTENTS
CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
Congressional Leadership Scrambles to Pass Debt Ceiling Legislation NEW
---Boehner and Reid Debt Ceiling Proposals Treat Higher Education Differently
Coalition Letter to Appropriators Defends NIH Merit Review
OTHER CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES
Science Committee Democrats Issue Report Responding to Coburn Report on NSF
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
NSF Launches New Innovation Program NEW
AAU, APLU Submit Joint Recommendations on Improving OMB Circular A-21 NEW
State Department Names New Science & Technology Adviser
OTHER
Judge Rules in Favor of Administration in Stem Cell Research Suit

The Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) welcome the opportunity to respond to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) June 28, 2011 Request for Information (RFI): Input on Reduction of Cost and Burden Associated with Federal Cost Principles for Educational Institutions (OMB Circular A-21) (NOT-OD-11-091). Together, AAU and APLU represent most of the nation’s large public and private research universities. Research universities strongly support the objectives of accountability and transparency, and our member institutions firmly believe that compliance and regulatory oversight are essential to the conduct of federally-supported research.

The Interagency Task Force’s efforts to reform OMB Circular A-21 and the Administration’s other efforts on reducing regulatory burden are of critical importance to our member institutions.

Improved alignment of cost principles and regulatory policies is essential to the health of the university-government research partnership and to the efficient and productive use of federal research funding. Given increasing fiscal constraints facing our universities, it is imperative that we work to ensure efficiency in government regulation to reduce the costs of compliance and to maximize the productivity of researchers.

The undersigned organizations write to urge you to continue to support the competitive scientific merit review process and oppose any legislative language or restrictions that would eliminate funding for specific peer-reviewed research grants supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu July 22, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Budget Negotiations Intensify as Deadline Approaches NEW House Appropriations Co

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu July 15, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Still No Budget Deal in Sight NEW House Approves FY12 Energy and Water Appropria

 The third volume of AAU's "Scientific Enquirer"

As representatives of U.S. science, engineering, and higher education organizations, we write to you in strong support for the federal research and development budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF), and its mission—created over 60 years ago—to advance research across a broad spectrum of disciplines, research that has fueled American economic growth for decades.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu July 8, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Budget Negotiations to Continue Over the Weekend NEW House Subcommittee Bill Woul

 The Task Force on American Innovation urges that as White House and congressional leaders work to reduce the nation's deficit,  they also sustain investments in science and engineering research, which are key to the nation's national competitiveness and economic prosperity. 

 Budget Debt Limit letter to President, Vice President and House and Senate Leadership.

Our nation must address budget deficits and the growing debt if we are to remain vibrant, secure, and competitive for the coming decades. We need to do this in a sensible and strategic way that allocates federal resources to areas where there is a clear federal role and that give us the best chance of improving our future.

 The federal regulation of research has become excessively burdensome, argue staff members from AAU and COGR in an article in Issues in Science and Technology.  Increasing regulatory and reporting requirements should be replaced by new and more timely and flexible mechanisms for universities and associations to work with federal officials. 

AA AC AA Asso Associatio AU American CE Associa AMC The Hono Chairman U.S. Senat 226 Dirkse Washingto Dear Chai We write o with the le the bill as The patent research in closely res costs, and established 1249 prov included in functions. We very m together th the succes nations in 21st centu Sincerely, Hunter R. R Pres

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu July 1, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Budget Negotiations at an Apparent Stalemate NEW --Senate Budget Committee Chair

STATEMENT OF Molly Corbett Broad President American Council on Education TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND BORDER SECURITY COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES SENATE RE: S. 952, DEVELOPMENT, RELIEF, AND EDUCATION FOR ALIEN MINORS (DREAM) ACT OF 2011 Submitted on behalf of: ACT, Inc. American Associa

 Six higher education associations encourage Senate leaders to take the House-passed patent reform bill, H.R. 1249, to the Senate floor for a vote as soon as possible.   

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu June 24, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Budget Negotiations on Hold NEW House Postpones Final Vote on FY12 Defense Fundi

 AAU issues a statement in support of President Obama's new Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Initiative. 

 http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/adv_man_press_release_final.pdf 

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC AND LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY MANAGERS COUNCIL ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2011 Association of American Universities: Ann Spei

 Six associations urge House Members to pass patent reform legislation, H.R. 1249.

The nation’s research university community is deeply concerned about the potential impact of HR 2146, the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2011, on our nation’s innovation capacity. This legislation would impose substantial new costs on universities’ research enterprises, significantly reducing productivity with little benefit to the nation.

The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) thanks Congress for its past support of the National Science Foundation (NSF). We recognize that Congress is facing difficult decisions with respect to our national fiscal health. As discussions on FY 2012 appropriations begin, we encourage Members of Congress to make continued federal funding for NSF a priority. Robust federal support for NSF, the cornerstone of America’s research enterprise, is absolutely critical to the nation’s economic health and global competitiveness.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu June 17, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Budget Negotiations Continue Behind the Scenes NEW House Appropriations Committe

Association of American Universities • 1200 New York Ave., NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005 • (202) 408-7500 American Council on Education • One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036 • (202) 939-9300 Association of American Medical Colleges • 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037-1126 • (202)-828-0400

 Letter to Senate Appropriators from 41 Democratic and Republican Senators in support of sustained investment in the National Institutes of Health in Fiscal Year 2012.

The Great Ape Protection and Cost Saving Act of 2011 (S. 810/ H.R. 1513 ) would ban all life-saving research involving chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are a unique and invaluable resource for ethically conducted biomedical research, particularly translational research through which scientific discoveries are advanced into treatments and cures. The research community and AAU are committed to ensuring that such research not only conforms with ethical, legal, and safety regulations but also maintains the highest standards of animal care and health.

This bill would halt or delay ongoing research on devastating diseases for which no other animal model exists and could harm research that directly benefits chimpanzees and other great apes.

Letter from Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) to House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) urging them to reconsider their opposition to a provision of the patent reform legislation (H.R. 1249) that bars diversion for other purposes of the fees collected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for processing of patents.

 AAU provides additional views on higher education accreditation during a June 9 oral presentation to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI)

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu June 10, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Biden Group Speeds up Budget Talks NEW OTHER CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES Rep. Foxx Intr

 Higher Education Groups thank Representative Foxx for bill repealing State Authorization and Credit Hour Provisions

Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) and the Association of American Universities (AAU) respond to the April 13, 2011, Federal Register notice requesting comments on proposed policy changes to the definition of “defense services.”

Although BIO and the undersigned higher education associations held different views on the Stanford v. Roche case, the organizations are united in the desire to ensure that the U.S. technology transfer system continues to generate these public benefits through the robust provisions of the Bayh-Dole statute. We are committed to working together in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to ensure the continued vibrancy of public-private partnerships and success of our shared objectives.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu June 3, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Patience Running Thin on High-Level Budget Talks NEW House Considers First FY12 S

 A group of 19 Senators sends a letter to appropriators urging priority funding for Department of Energy science programs.

 "Dear Colleague" letter led by Senators Coons and Bingaman urges continued strong funding support for ARPA-E, EFRCs, and Innovation Hubs.

 AAU issues a statement in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in follow-up to a report critical of the agency released on May 26 by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK).

 Higher Education Community Statement to the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce on the Need to Repeal the Three Percent Withholding Provision

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu May 27, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Members Urge Maintaining Pell Grant Maximum Award Level in FY12 Twenty-Four

As the principal performers of National Institutes of Health (NIH) extramural research, our member institutions base their animal care and use programs and their compliance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals on the National Research Council’s Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) 1996 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and, as applicable, the Animal Welfare Act. However, NIH’s implementation of the new Eighth Edition of the Guide makes significant changes to the PHS Policy. We recommend that NIH’s implementation of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals be delayed until key concerns can be addressed.

 As you draft your Fiscal Year 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations bill, we request that you include $125.9 million for Title VI International Education and Foreign Language programs.  Title VI programs have had a tremendous impact on our nation over the years by developing a strong foundation in international education, research, and foreign language studies, especially in the less-commonly taught languages of U.S. strategic interest..

 We write to you to support the Pell Grant maximum award of $5,550, as proposed in the President's budget, for students who want to pursue their higher education dreams, but have limited means to attend and graduate from college..

CONTENTS
CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
Negotiators Face Setbacks in Budget Discussions; Senate Defers Budget Resolution NEW
Department of Education Releases FY11 Funding Plan
OTHER CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES
Higher Education Associations Urge Support of Patent Reform Legislation UPDATED
House Small Business Committee Approves SBIR Bill
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Campuses Asked to Respond to Survey on Regulatory Burden in Higher Education UPDATED
OTHER
Fed Chairman Speaks on Government Role in R&D
New Report Finds Funding of U.S. University Research Lags Behind Other Nations NEW

The six higher education associations working to advance effective, comprehensive patent reform support the supplemental examination provision contained in S. 23 and the initial version of H.R. 1249.

As Members of Congress who strongly value the contributions of the National Institutes of health (NIH), we are writing to thank you for your past support and to respectfully request your continuted support for NIH medical research, which is essential to sustain advances in science and the health and economic impacts of the research it funds.

 Six higher education associations, including AAU, sent a detailed memorandum to university leaders on May 17 describing the benefits for both universities and the U.S. patent system generally of pending legislation to reform the U.S. patent system.

 A graphic explaining how basic research made the semiconductor possible.

 A graphic explaining how federally funded research led to the technologies that made the creation of the iPod possible.

Dear Secretaries Napolitano, Geithner and Clinton:

On behalf of the American Council on Education and the associations listed below, I write to request your assistance for Libyan nationals currently studying in the United States on student visas, almost all of whom are fully funded by the Libyan government as sponsored students.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu May 6, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Efforts Continue to Bridge Differences over Budget and Deficit Issues NEW FY12 App

 2011 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities speech by Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust on May 2, 2011 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

On behalf of the Association of American Universities (AAU), I write today to express support for H.R. 1425, the Creating Jobs Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011, which would reauthorize the Small Business Innovative Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs.

STATEMENT ON THE FEDERAL DEFICIT As representatives of the nations business, university, science and engineering communities, we believe the future of our nation depends on our willingness to take immediate actions to rein in the federal deficit and drive economic growth. Americans know the exploding federal debt is un

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu April 29, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS NIH Releases FY11 Spending Plan EXECUTIVE BRANCH AAU Provides Comments on Depar

 AAU responds to a DOE Request for Information regarding the Department's Quadrennial Technology Review.

On behalf of the 70 associations and organizations listed below, I write to request your assistance in blocking two regulations issued as part of the Department of Education’s Oct. 29, 2010, final program integrity rule: (1) the regulation creating a federal definition of credit hour in Section 600.2; and (2) the state authorization and related distance education requirements in Section 600.9..

On behalf of the 70 associations and organizations listed below, I write to request your assistance in blocking two regulations issued as part of the Department of Education’s Oct. 29, 2010, final program integrity rule: (1) the regulation creating a federal definition of credit hour in Section 600.2; and (2) the state authorization and related distance education requirements in Section 600.9..

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu April 22, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS AAU Thanks President for Supporting Research and Pell Grants in Final FY11 Budg

AAU President Robert Berdahl thanks the President for his leadership and efforts to sustain strong federal investments in scientific research and student aid, particularly in maintaining the Pell Grant maximum award, in the final FY11 spending measure.

We are writing to urge the Subcommittee to provide funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at the fiscal year (FY) 2010 enacted level of $167.5 million for FY 2012. As you know, NEH is the primary source of federal support for humanities research and related activities in the U.S. The Endowment provides competitive grant funding for research and scholarship in history, literature, foreign languages, and other fields that provide individuals with critical ethical, cultural, and historical perspective..

AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT April 12, 2011 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Hubert H. Humphrey Building 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 RE: CMS-9981-P Comments on Proposed Rules Relating to Student Health Insurance Coverage Under

 A letter drafted by the Department of Commerce National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entreprenuership (NACIE) and signed by university presidents, AAU, and APLU committing them to develop strategies to aid in regional and national economic growth.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu April 15, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS FY11 Spending Package Trims Research, Preserves Pell Maximum Award UPDATED Hous

We are encouraged that President Obama has asked the federal agencies to conduct this retrospective review of existing rules to assess which should be maintained, modified, strengthened or repealed to increase efficiencies and decrease burden. Research institutions seek to find a balance between achieving regulatory compliance and conducting research. We have advocated for a fundamental examination and evaluation of the current relationship between research institutions and the federal government to strengthen and, in some cases, repair the relationship to ensure increased productivity. One of the key aspects of this assessment is regulatory reform.

On behalf of the millions of students, educators, administrators and college presidents we represent, we urge you to oppose H.Con. Res. 34 when it comes to the floor for a vote. The budget proposed by Chairman Ryan for fiscal year 2012 seeks to “ensure that the next generation inherits a stronger, more prosperous America.” It is a worthy goal, but we do not believe it can be met with the large cuts to student aid contained in the proposal..

 Four higher education associations--AAU, APLU, ACE, and AAMC--sent a letter to leaders of the House Judiciary Committee in advance of the April 14 markup of the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249).  The letter commends the leaders for improvements in the bill, noting that the Manager's Amendment addresses two principal university concerns by reinstating the "reasonable likelihood" threshold for initiating an inter partes review and improving the prior user rights section of the bill to the extent that the associations "are withdrawing their support for any amendments to strike the prior user rights provisions and support the basic structure of the prior user rights defense as amended by the Manager's Amendment."

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu April 8, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Negotiations Continue on FY11 Spending with Government Shutdown Looming UPDATED

AAU expresses thanks to NIH for the recent effort to reduce regulatory burden faced by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees.

 A group of 138 associations, institutions, and patient groups, including AAU, sent a letter to congressional appropriations leaders on April 4 opposing statutory mandates on the number and size of grants made by the National Institutes of Health.  The restrictions have been included in the House-passed FY11 continuing resolution (H.R. 1). 

 A group of five higher education associations, including AAU, submitted comments to the Department of Commerce on April 1 regarding the Administration's Strategy for American Innovation. 

April 4, 2011 Honorable John Boehner Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker Democratic Leader U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives H-232 The Capitol H-204 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Honorable Eric Cantor Majority Leader U.S. House of Representatives H-329 The Capitol Washington

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500, Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu April 1, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS FY11 Budget Negotiations Going Down to the Wire NEW AAU President Calls for Sust

On behalf of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization of 61 leading U.S. public and private research universities, I appreciate the opportunity to express strong support for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). AAU urges Congress to continue funding the NEH at the FY10 final funding level of $167.5 million. In particular, we remain committed to maintaining existing funding levels for the core competitive programs within the endowment..

STATEMENT OF JOHN C. VAUGHN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC AND LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY MANAGERS COUNCIL O

 AAU President Robert Berdahl writes to congressional leaders asking them to sustain strong support of research and student financial aid in the final FY11 budget. 

 AAU President Robert Berdahl thanks the President and Vice President for their strong support of research and education and urges them to sustain those investments in negotiations with Congress on final FY11 spending.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu March 25, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Status of Negotiations on FY11 Budget Remains Unclear NEW Group of House Democra

 Six higher education associations that have been working together on patent reform issued a statement on March 25 expressing strong opposition to expansion of the prior user rights defense in patent reform legislation. 

A group of 470 organizations and six former Surgeons General has sent a letter to leaders in Congress and the Administration requesting $65 billion for public health programs (Budget Function 550) in FY12, an increase of $7 billion over the FY10 level. 

 The second edition of AAU's Scientific Enquirer

A concise review of the history of NIH, particularly as it relates to funding, as well as the current structure and issues facing the agency. 

Dear Colleague letter in support of NIH funding in FY12 organized by Representative Ed Markey. The final letter had 117 co-signers.

The Association of American Universities announces the appointment of Hunter R. Rawlings III, a former president of Cornell University and the University of Iowa, as its new president. 

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu March 18, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Congress Approves FY11 CR Lasting through April 8 NEW Updated Analysis of Impact

 AAU describes its position on reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs. 

 A summary of the impact on various Department of Energy programs by the funding cuts approved by the House of Representatives in H.R. 1, the continuning resolution for FY11. 

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu March 11, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Appropriators Unveil Next Short-Term FY11 CR NEW Senate Votes Down Both Pa

 A group of businesses and business associations sent a letter to leaders of the Senate on March 9 urging them to give funding priority in the FY11 continuing resolution to physical science and engineering research and STEM education.

On behalf of more than 70 higher education associations and accrediting organizations listed below, I write to thank you for holding a hearing to examine the Department of Education's final program integrity rule issued on October 29, 2010. The goal of this rule was to eliminate fraud and abuse, shield students from predatory practices and protect taxpayer investment in the Title IV financial aid programs, all of which are objectives we strongly support..

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu March 4, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Two-Week CR Enacted; Vice-President Convenes High-Level Budget Discussions UPDATE

 A group of 170 organizations and institutions, including AAU, urge Senators to reject the cuts to key research agency budgets included in the House-passed version of the FY11 continuing resolution (H.R. 1)

On behalf of the 60 higher education associations and accrediting organizations listed below, I write to express our serious concerns regarding the state authorization regulations in Section 600.9 of the Oct. 29, 2010, final program integrity rule. These final regulations significantly expand and complicate the existing federal requirements for institutions to be “legally authorized” in a state. While the final rule reflects changes from the draft proposal, these changes do not address the concerns we raised during the rulemaking process. In addition, the final rule includes an entirely new and problematic provision regulating distance education programs..

 Six higher education associations, including AAU, write to all members of the Senate urging support for the Patent Reform Act of 2011 (S. 23). 

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu February 25, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House and Senate Maneuver Toward Short-term Extension of FY11 Funding NEW CRS

 The first volume of  AAU's "Scientific  Enquirer"

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu February 18, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Continues Work on FY11 Continuing Resolution; President Issues Veto Thr

On behalf of the more than 70 higher education associations and accrediting organizations listed below, I write to express grave concerns with the creation of a federal definition of credit hour in Section 600.2 of the Oct. 29, 2010, program integrity regulations. We request that you immediately rescind this definition from the final regulations..

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Coalition 900 2nd St. NE Suite 205 Washington, D.C. 20002 sciencepolicy@agronomy.org February 16, 2011 RE: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative in the FY 11 Spending Bill Dear Representative: On behalf of the undersigned organizations representing research institution

We strongly urge you to oppose the proposed $1.6 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in your consideration of H.R. 1. The members of United for Medical Research, are concerned that such a cut will have long-term and devastating consequences for maintaining our competitive edge as the global leader in medical research.

 The Student Aid Alliance, a group of organizations and institutions in which AAU participates, wrote to all Members of Congress on February 14 urging them to vote against the FY11 continuing resolution (H.R. 1) because it would make drastic cuts to student aid programs. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Barry Toiv February 14, 2011 202-408-7500, barry_toiv@aau.edu AAU STATEMENT ON THE PRESIDENTS FY2012 BUDGET Following is a statement by Robert M. Berdahl, President of the Association of American Universities (AAU), on the Presidents FY12 budget. We applaud the Presidents continuing commi

AAU Summary of President's FY12 Budget Proposal

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu February 11, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS New House FY11 Budget Plan Would Cut Billions More NEW Original House FY11 Bu

AAU and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) sent a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins on February 11 urging that NIH sustain support for research infrastructure as it moves to reorganize certain NIH activities.

 National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman Jim Leech in a speech to the College Art Association on February 9 that his agency recognizes the case for trimming federal spending, but is deeply concerned at proposals to totally eliminate federal cultural institutions like NEH and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 AAAS, AAU, APLU, and COGR response letter to State and Commerce Departments' proposed changes to export controls lists.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu February 4, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Leaders FY11 Budget Plan Would Make Significant Cuts NEW Senators Look f

 AAU and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities urge House and  Senate leaders to provide sustained growth for basic scientific research and federal student aid programs.  These activities produce new knowledge and a highly skilled workforce, which triggers new technologies and industries, which in turn yield jobs and economic growth. 

AAU submits comments on the current accreditation system for higher education institutions to the Department of Education's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI).

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu January 28, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS President‘s Speech Calls for Continued Investment in Research and Education UP

 The American Council on Education updates for 2011 its listing of key higher education tax provisions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Barry Toiv January 25, 2011 202-408-7500, barry_toiv@aau.edu AAU PRAISES PRESIDENTS FOCUS ON SCIENCE AND EDUCATION IN STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS Following is a statement by Robert M. Berdahl, President of the Association of American Universities (AAU), on the Presidents State of the Union

1634 Eye S t . , NW • Wa s h i n g t o n , DC 2 0 0 0 6 • 2 0 2 . 6 2 6 . 4 3 8 5 ht tp://www. innovat iontaskforce.org/TASK FORCE ON AMERICAN INNOVATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Barry Toiv January 25, 2011 (202) 408-7500, barry_toiv@aau.edu INNOVATION TASK FORCE APPLAUDS PRESIDENTS EMPHASIS ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARC

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu January 14, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Republicans Developing Plans for Spending Cuts NEW President Will Call f

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu January 7, 2011 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS New Rules Will Change House Budget Process NEW House Republicans Look to Signif

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 23, 2010 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Congress Approves Short-Term FY11 Continuing Resolution NEW OTHER CONGRESSION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Barry Toiv December 21, 2010 202-408-7500, barry_toiv@aau.edu AAU APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF AMERICA COMPETES LEGISLATION Following is a statement by Robert M. Berdahl, President of the Association of American Universities (AAU), applauding Senate and House passage of the America COMPETES Reauth

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 17, 2010 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS FY11 Omnibus Funding Bill Dead; Short-term CR Likely NEW Senate Democrats‟ Om

 The Task Force on American Innovation commends the fiscal commission report for its commitment to investment in research and education. 

Dear Representative: As you prepare to vote on the FY 2011 Year-Long Funding Act (the Continuing Resolution [CR]), please consider the millions of students who would not be able to pursue their higher education dreams without federal student aid.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 10, 2010 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS House Approves FY11 CR UPDATED House CR Would Freeze Most FY11 Domestic Discr

 Dear Representative: As you prepare to vote on the FY 2011 Year-Long Funding Act (the Continuing Resolution [CR]), please consider the millions of students who would not be able to pursue their higher education dreams without federal student aid.

AAU WEEKLY WRAP-UP ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES 1200 NEW YORK AVENUE NW, SUITE 550, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202-408-7500 Fax: 202-408-8184 www.aau.edu December 3, 2010 CONTENTS CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE NEW BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS The FY11 Appropriations Plan Takes Shape NEW House Passes Tax Bill With Some H

 December 1, 2010 AAU PRAISES BOWLES-SIMPSON FISCAL REPORT The Association of American Universities (AAU), an association that includes 61 leading public and private U.S. research universities, today praised the report issued by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

 A group of 26 higher education associations, including AAU, urge House and Senate appropriators to extend six expired or expiring higher education-related tax provisions.