Obama Calls for Reversing Research Cuts
BU IN DC
Gloria Waters, associate provost and vice president for research, attended the Universities Research Association Council of Presidents Annual Meeting and Policy Forum on January 30.
Kimberly DelGizzo, director of the Center for Career Development, participated in the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Advocacy Mashup today.
Maria Pantages Ober, director of the School of Medicine Office of Communications, attended the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Group on Institutional Advancement Steering Committee meeting on January 29 and 30.
OBAMA CALLS FOR REVERSING RESEARCH CUTS
President Barack Obama delivered his fifth State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday evening, vowing to achieve his policy priorities using his executive authority if necessary. He touched upon higher education and and research initiatives several times throughout his 65 minute speech:
– Research Funding: President Obama called on Congress to reverse the damage done to research agencies by the sequester last year and reinvest in basic research in order to “unleash the next great American discovery – whether it’s vaccines that stay ahead of drug-resistant bacteria, or paper-thin material that’s stronger than steel.”
– College Costs and Access: The President said the Administration is “shaking up our system of higher education to give parents more information, and colleges more incentives to offer better value.”
– Advanced Manufacturing: Obama pledged to launch six more manufacturing innovation hubs similar to those in Ohio and North Carolina as a means of workforce development.
– Immigration Reform: The President expressed hope that Congress could pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation this year.
– Patent Reform: President Obama called on Congress to implement patent reform legislation; universities have expressed concerns that the bill he referenced would make it more difficult to defend patent rights.
Read the White House fact sheet
HOUSE COMMITTEE REVIEWS COLLEGE PREP PROGRAMS
The House Education and the Workforce Committee held a hearing on Tuesday to look at effective programs for preparing low-income and first generation students for college, both academically and financially. As part of its ongoing series of hearings in advance of the renewal of the Higher Education Act, the committee heard from witnesses who advocated modifying the eligibility criteria for the federal TRIO college preparatory programs, enhancing financial counseling for students and parents, and offering in-state tuition benefits for undocumented children brought to the United States by their parents, also known as DREAMers.
GRANT NEWS YOU CAN USE
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced its 2014 Sustainability Research Networks Competition, which aims to bring together multidisciplinary researchers and stakeholders in a collaborative research effort to assess sustainability challenges. This year’s competition will focus on urban sustainability. NSF anticipates awarding $36 million for two to four grants, and applications are due April 29.