Campus Antisemitism, Federal Budget, Health Data Science
BU IN DC
Ayse Coskun of the College of Engineering attended the Computing Research Association’s Leadership in Science Policy Institute on November 16th and 17th.
Anthony Jack of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development addressed a meeting of the Association of American Universities Education Deans, which was also attended by Dean David Chard, on November 9th.
Rachel Thrasher of the Global Development Policy Center participated in a briefing for the U.S. Trade Representative on November 7th.
LAWMAKERS ADDRESS CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM
Amid concerns over the rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses, lawmakers have recently hosted forums to hear from students, advocates, and scholars about the causes and impacts. Congressional Republicans used the events to criticize college leaders and the Biden Administration, while the U.S. Department of Education issued a fact sheet with resources for universities to address antisemitism and Islamophobia. Congressional activity included:
- On Tuesday, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development blamed campus diversity and equity offices for promoting anti-Jewish sentiment.
- Last week, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee asserted that universities stifle conservative speech.
- On Wednesday, the House tax-writing committee held a hearing “Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing.”
- During a bipartisan roundtable discussion last week, the senior Republican on the U.S. Senate, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee criticized the Biden Administration for not ensuring that schools responsibly handle antisemitic incidents.
BUZZ BITS…
- The President signed into law a continuing resolution to extend current funding for government agencies through early next year, with some agencies funded through January 19 and others through February 2nd. The extension provides additional time for Congress to work through their appropriations process and negotiate final spending legislation for fiscal year 2024, which began on October 1st.
- Dr. Monica Bertagnolli was sworn in as the new director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on November 9th after her nomination was approved by a 62-36 vote of the U.S. Senate. President Joe Biden nominated Dr. Bertagnolli, the former head of the National Cancer Institute, in May. NIH had been without a Senate-confirmed leader since December 2021.
- Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) was sworn in as the newest member of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation on Monday after winning a special election earlier this month. Rep. Amo is the first person of color to represent the state and previously served in both the Obama and Biden administrations. He will serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The BU Office of Research will host the last Research on Tap of the semester on Wednesday, November 29th at 4 p.m. in the Kilachand Center. Hosted by Debbie Cheng of the School of Public Health, the event will feature microtalks from BU health data scientists embedded in departments across BU — from statisticians and computer scientists to a wide range of domain area experts studying ethics, climate change, neuroscience, HIV/AIDS, and more. The new Population Health Data Science program will offer seed funding awards to event attendees who apply by December 13th. A networking reception will follow the event.