May 4, 2018
CONTENTS:
- Mary Sue’s Desk: Free Speech Should be Encouraged, Not Stifled
- Budget and Appropriations Update
- Associations Urge Appropriators to Reject Rescission Proposals
- FY19 Appropriations Hearings to Begin Next Week
- Budget Process Reform Joint Select Committee to Meet Next Week
- Associations Comment on NSF Reporting Guidelines for Sexual Harassment
- Funding Coalition Requests At Least $39.3B for NIH in FY19
- NEH Chairman Peede Sworn In
- U Chicago Report: Americans Look to Research Universities for Innovation
- New Research on State Budget Pressures and Higher Education
MARY SUE’S DESK: FREE SPEECH SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED, NOT STIFLED
AAU President Mary Sue Coleman today released a blog post to discuss the commitment of AAU universities to preserving inclusive and non-discriminatory free speech on campus.
Share her blog on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
Today, seven associations, including AAU, wrote to House and Senate appropriators to urge they reject the administration’s rescission request. The associations also wrote a similar letter to OMB Director Mick Mulvaney. Citing limited days to consider the proposal and the unique timeline for federal student aid disbursement, the letter says, “there is a significant possibility of major harm being done to students who receive financial aid regardless of whether Congress ultimately approves or rejects the rescissions proposed by the Administration.” Media reports indicate the administration will next week announce $11B in proposed spending cuts to funds appropriated in the FY18 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1625). It is unclear whether any research or higher education programs will be targeted in the administration’s request.
Lawmakers return from recess next week to begin FY19 funding negotiations. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water and Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee are both set to hold their FY19 markups. Other FY19 markups relative to research and higher education have yet to be scheduled but newly-elected Chairman Richard Shelby said last week that he expects “regular order.” The Chairman also said he was optimistic the Senate will be able to pass some funding bills by the end of the fiscal year in September. See AAU’s FY19 Funding Recommendations here.
Also happening next week is the second public hearing of the Joint Select Committee on Budget Process Reform. The Committee is set to meet May 9 at 10 a.m. ET. AAU’s Matt Owens will testify on behalf of the Convergence Building a Better Budget Process Project. AAU endorsed the Convergence Project’s budget reform proposals, released earlier this year.
FUNDING COALITION REQUESTS AT LEAST $39.3B FOR NIH IN FY19
The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, of which AAU is a member, wrote to Congress Monday to request at least $39.3 billion for the NIH in FY19. This level of funding, the letter says, "would enable expansion of NIH's capacity to support progress in science and innovation."
Other FY19 funding letters and related materials are available on the AAU Federal Budget page.
ASSOCIATIONS COMMENT ON NSF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Seven higher education associations, including AAU, submitted comments to the National Science Foundation today in response to a March 5 request for public comment in the Federal Register. While the associations support NSF’s interest in addressing and eliminating sexual harassment and sexual assault in the scientific workplace, the associations have concerns about the new reporting requirements. Specific concerns outlined in the comment letter include: the requirement to report placing a PI or co-PI on administrative leave; the unintended consequences mandatory reporting may have on students, researchers, and other grant personnel; the level of confidentiality the community can expect for the information reported to NSF. As part of their comments, the associations encouraged NSF to thoroughly review and consider the comments received by the higher education and scientific communities before taking any action to implement the new reporting requirements.
NEH CHAIRMAN PEEDE SWORN IN
Jon Parrish Peede was sworn in yesterday as the 11th Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). During the swearing-in ceremony, the new NEH Chairman said, “It is a distinct honor to be nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. I particularly value this vote of bipartisan support and will work with my NEH colleagues to ensure that all Americans have access to our country’s cultural resources.”
U CHICAGO REPORT: AMERICANS LOOK TO RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES FOR INNOVATION
The University of Chicago's Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation released a new innovation indicator survey Wednesday that shows most Americans believe research universities are "a major force" in driving innovation. The survey notes, however, that just one in four Americans view the U.S. as the global leader in innovation.
AAU President Mary Sue Coleman said of the findings, "This survey reinforces what the American people see every day-that our research universities have propelled the United States to a global leadership role in innovation and are essential public goods. But without robust and sustained federal research investments, research universities will be unable to help ensure that the U.S. remains at the top, by providing the people, ideas and discoveries that enhance our economy, improve our public health and bolster the national defense."
NEW RESEARCH ON STATE BUDGET PRESSURES AND HIGHER EDUCATION
A Temple University economist recently released a new report analyzing the decline in public financial support for higher education over the past 30 years. The study shows that state spending increases in higher education have not kept pace with student enrollment growth. The report also finds that states have shifted much of their former investment in higher education to public-welfare programs, such as Medicaid.
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