Committee Focuses on Higher Education
BU IN DC
College of Engineering Dean Kenneth Lutchen attended the Public Policy Colloquium for the American Society for Engineering Education and discussed the College’s research priorities with Congressional staff between February 6 and 8.
Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore and Assistant Dean of Students John Battaglino hosted a Coffee & Convo with students in the BU Washington, D.C. Program and watched the BU Terriers defeat American University in basketball on February 7 and 8.
COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON HIGHER EDUCATION
House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) chose the overdue reauthorization of the Higher Education Act as the topic for her first committee hearing, held on Tuesday. Foxx identified four principles for the Committee’s consideration of the Act: providing helpful data to parents and students; simplifying federal student loan and financial aid programs; removing red tape that hinders innovation, access, and completion; and ensuring colleges are accountable to the federal taxpayer while keeping the federal role limited. In response to a request from Ranking Democrat Bobby Scott (D-VA), Foxx expressed interest in a future hearing focused solely on the regulations impacting universities.
BUZZ BITS
- A federal appeals court rejected the Trump Administration’s request to lift an injunction against its executive order banning entry into the U.S. from seven Middle Eastern countries, citing, in part, the impact on public universities. The court decision means the freeze on the travel ban remains in place while the case moves through the legal system.
- On Tuesday, Betsy DeVos was sworn in as Secretary of Education following a a narrow confirmation by the U.S. Senate. She delivered her first speech as Secretary on Wednesday.
- The U.S. House of Representatives voted to reverse regulations governing teacher preparation programs promulgated by the Obama Administration in October 2016. The U.S. Senate would also need to approve the measure (H.J. Res. 58) before the rules could be rescinded, and a Senate vote has not yet been scheduled.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
BU Research is hosting its popular Research on Tap series again this semester, bringing researchers together for three-minute microtalks on their scholarship. The gatherings are curated by faculty and followed by wine and cheese receptions that allow investigators to meet potential research collaborators. The next talk will take place on Monday, February 13, at 3:30 p.m. Alan Marscher of the College of Arts & Sciences will host From Earth Orbit to Distant Galaxies: Space Research at Boston University.