News and updates

Congress is on Memorial Day recess until Monday, June 1st.

Memorandum

To: Association constituents

From: Robert M. Berdahl, President, Association of American Universities
 Molly Corbett Broad, President, American Council on Education
 Darrell G. Kirch, President and CEO, Association of American Medical Colleges
 Peter McPherson, President, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
 Arundeep S. Pradhan, President, Association of University Technology Managers
 Anthony P. DeCrappeo, President, Council on Governmental Relations

Subject: S. 515, the Patent Reform Act of 2009

We write to inform you about S. 515, the Patent Reform Act of 2009, and our associations’ engagement in the Congressional patent reform process begun four years ago.  S. 515 modifies U.S. patent law in ways that strengthen the system’s ability to promote innovation.  Earlier versions of patent reform legislation, while containing many beneficial changes, also included several provisions of concern for universities.  S. 515 effectively addresses the concerns our associations have raised.  Continue reading “APLU Releases Overview of Patent Reform Legislation”

Senator Maria Cantwell has advanced several of the UW’s FY10 priority projects.  While this is just a first step in a long journey, we are encouraged by the support the Senator is showing for the UW.  The next step is to get these and other projects included in the FY10 funding bills, which are currently being drafted and should be made public in June and July.

Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative – University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

The Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative (PSERI) is a council formed to, in close coordination with the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP), focus regional, national, and international scientific talent on issues critical to maintaining the health of the Puget Sound. With the requested funding the PSERI will conduct research and coordinate existing research to support efforts to restore the health of the Puget Sound. In addition to research, the funding will allow the University of Washington to create research panels to review existing research to determine the best available science to inform the work of the Puget Sound Partnership.

Amount Requested: $2,130,000

Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies (ISIS) – University of Washington (Seattle, WA). 

Project Description– The Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies (ISIS) provides targeted, intensive re-training programs for military personnel who return from deployment and need to recertify in their specialty in order to practice in WA State, and also for military personnel needing first-time WA State medical certification. ISIS is uniquely positioned to provide training, evaluation, and curricula to meet DoD needs and is currently working in partnership with Madigan Army Medical Center to develop these programs. Through ISIS, University of Washington School of Medicine has established this regional model of distributed medical education for skills training that will eventually form a national model for civilian practice as well as the large scale model for military needs.

Amount Requested – $6,380,000

House of Knowledge – University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

The House of Knowledge will aid the University of Washington in becoming a model for utilizing research partnerships with tribal nations to strengthen programs in health, environment and economic vitality.  As such, the University is in an enviable position to demonstrate effective ways to diversify its campus. These efforts to do so include a thoughtful and deliberate process to add a longhouse-style building which would serve as a multi-service learning and gathering space for Native American students, faculty and staff, and others of various cultures and communities..  The facility would assist in the advancement of knowledge of the indigenous cultures of the region. The facility and its programming would provide an imaginative environment of the original inhabitants of the area and promote inter-cultural exchange and diversity.

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center – University of Washington (Seattle, WA) 

The Northwest Marine Renewable Energy Center is a partnership between Oregon State University (OSU) and the University of Washington (UW).  OSU will direct the Center and focus its efforts on applied research for wave energy.  The UW will focus on research specific to tidal energy.  The two universities will leverage their expertise and experience to accelerate the development of ocean energy. The NW Center will build on existing strengths and will develop knowledge and expertise in the following program areas: advanced forecasting technologies (wave); device and array optimization (wave and tidal); collaboration and optimization among marine and other renewable sources (wave and tidal); facilities serving as an integrated Center for US and international developers (wave and tidal); compatibility of marine power technologies and systems with the environment, fisheries and other marine resources (wave and tidal); and increased reliability and survivability of marine power technologies (wave and tidal).

Amount Requested: $1,200,000