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News and updates

News and updates

Associations Convey FY 12 Higher Ed Priorities to OMB

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This week two higher education associations – the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the Association for Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) sent collaborative letters to the Obama Administration asking the White House to make higher education a priority in their FY 12 budget.

The first letter called for the administration to again propose an expanded Perkins Loan Program. The associations also thanked the administration for it’s support of the Pell Grant Program.

The second letter pushes to continue sustained growth for all federal basic research programs. The letter acknowledges the strained federal budget, but states that “steady growth in federally sponsored basic research provides the essential foundation for scientific progress and training and for ensuring our nation’s continued competitiveness.”

Links to the full letters follow:

Basic Research Letter

Student Aid Letter

‘Gathering Storm’ Report Revisited

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Late last week, the National Academies released a follow-on to their widely discussed 2005 report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.” The new report, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited: Rapidly Approaching Category 5,” explains that many of the recommendations in the initial assessment have not been addressed. The National Academies press release follows.

Continue reading “‘Gathering Storm’ Report Revisited”

Short-term CR Advances, Pell Shortfall Left Out

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With fiscal year 2011 set to begin on Friday October 1st and none of the 12 spending bills yet signed into law, Congress will need to pass a continuing resolution (CR) in order to keep the government functioning. A CR typically funds government operations on a temporary basis, at the previous year’s spending levels, in order to give Congress and the President additional time to complete the process.

Today, the Senate voted to advance its CR in the legislative process. During the past week, speculation circulated that Congress might add language to the CR that would fill a shortfall in the Pell Grant program. However, early indications from the Senate Appropriations Committee are that funding for Pell will not be included in the CR. The $5.7 billion Pell shortfall was created largely by increased student eligibility for the program during the economic downturn. If Congress does not address the Pell shortfall, it would result in significant decreases in student award amounts for next academic year. However, most higher education observers believe that it is not a question of whether Congress will address the shortfall, but rather through which legislative vehicle. The Pell Grant program generally enjoys wildespread support, so a significant cut in award levels seems unlikely at this point.

A summary of the special provisions added to the Senate’s CR is available below. Continue reading “Short-term CR Advances, Pell Shortfall Left Out”

UW FY12 Federal Agenda Development Process Opens

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The Office of Federal Relations has released a notice calling for projects and agency/program funding recommendations for inclusion in the official UW FY12 Federal Agenda. The notice was distributed to UW deans, vice provosts, and other senior members of the administration. Individuals interested in learning more about the process are invited to contact the UW Office of Federal Relations. All submissions for the UW Federal Agenda must be approved by the relevant college/school or department. Please note that all projects will be thoroughly vetted and only a select few will advance in the process. The submission portal can be accessed here. All submissions must be completed by Friday October 29th.

DREAM Act Future Uncertain

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The DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants who attend college or the military and was rolled into the Senate’s defense authorization bill, failed to pass a crucial vote yesterday.  Requiring 60 votes to pass, the motion failed by a vote of 56 to 43.   Because the motion did not pass, the Senate will not be debating the defense bill in the immediate future, which means that amendments such as the DREAM Act, will not be considered either.

It appears that the defense authorization bill did not pass solely because of the language of the bill but because Majority Leader Harry Reid limited amendments by Republicans which resulted in some moderate Republicans refusing to support the bill due to what they deemed an unfair voting process. Still, the chance that this bill will be reconsidered soon is very small and it’s future will be very much dependent on the outcome of the November elections.