CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
- AAU, APLU, COGR Comment On Proposed Changes to NIH Guidelines on Human-Animal Chimera Research
- Associations Comment on Proposed Rules on State Oversight of Distance Education
OTHER
- AAU Hires Senior Policy Analyst
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
AAU, APLU, COGR COMMENT ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO NIH GUIDELINES ON HUMAN-ANIMAL CHIMERA RESEARCH
Three higher education associations, including AAU, submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on August 25 regarding proposed changes to NIH guidelines for human stem cell research. The proposal would lift the moratorium on certain human-animal chimera research and establish a special NIH committee to review grant applications in that area.
The comment letter, submitted by AAU, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the Council on Governmental Relations, is generally supportive of the proposed new policy and suggests that NIH:
- Include academic representatives on the newly created special advisory committee;
- Further consider what criteria must be met before allowing the introduction of human cells into non-human primate embryos; and
- Further discuss the safeguards and circumstances for allowing germline genetic modifications in humans using gene editing tools.
ASSOCIATIONS COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULES ON STATE OVERSIGHT OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
A group of 17 higher education groups, including AAU, on August 24 submitted comments to the Department of Education regarding the agency’s proposed regulations on distance education. The proposed regulations deal with states’ oversight of online courses offered by out-of-state colleges and universities, as well as state oversight of educational programs offered at foreign locations of domestic institutions.
The associations’ letter expresses strong support for meaningful oversight of institutions and offers comments to both clarify and improve the draft regulation. The letter also offers new language to address expressed concerns.
OTHER
AAU HIRES SENIOR POLICY ANALYST
AAU has hired Kimberlee Eberle-Sudré as senior policy analyst to lead the association’s data and analysis efforts in research and higher education policy issues. Ms. Eberle-Sudré, who most recently worked for the Education Trust, holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Kansas and is finishing her Ph.D. in administrative and policy studies at the University of Pittsburgh.