DC Digest - July 6, 2010
In Today's Issue:
- Fiscal Year 2011 Science Appropriations
- House Approves Funding to Cover Pell Grant Shortfall
- July 1 Student Aid Changes
- Department of Energy Announces the Early Career Research Program for FY2011
- Creation of the National Research Council's Committee on Research Universities
- White House Releases National Space Policy
- Departments Urge Caution on Use of Electronic Book Readers
- Preferred Rate for Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel
FISCAL YEAR 2011 SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS
At the markup of its FY11 funding bill on June 29, the House Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee voted to provide the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA with the President’s full budget requests, but the panel made significant funding changes within the agencies. CongressDaily reports that the subcommittee’s allocation nearly matches the Administration’s request, and it reflects a $4 billion drop from the FY10 level largely from the end of funding for the 2010 Census.
NSF would receive $7.4 billion, an increase of $498 million over the FY10 enacted level, or 7.2 percent. Within that total, the subcommittee reduced funding for Research and Related Activities—from the $6 billion requested to $5.96 billion—and increased Education and Human Resources, from the $892 million requested to $958 million. NASA overall would be funded at the Administration’s FY11 request of $19 billion. However, Science would be funded at $4.7 billion, which is about $300 million less than the Administration’s FY11 request of $5 billion but $235 million more than FY10 funding of $4.4 billion. Aeronautics would receive $375 million, down by $204 million from the request of $579 million and by $126 million from the FY10 enacted level of $501 million. -from Association of American Universities
Read More:
2011 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee Bill (House of Representatives)
HOUSE APPROVES FUNDING TO COVER PELL GRANT SHORTFALL
The House last evening approved an amendment adding more than $21 billion in domestic spending to the $59 billion Senate-passed FY11 wartime supplemental appropriations bill (HR 4899), sending the package back to the Senate for further consideration after the July 4 recess. The House amendment includes $10 billion for education jobs and $4.95 billion to address some of the Pell Grant shortfall. The Senate version of the supplemental funding bill, approved on May 27, does not include funding for education jobs or the Pell Grant program. -from Association of American Universities
Read More:
House Consideration of the 2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act (Committee on Appropriations)
JULY 1 STUDENT AID CHANGES
July 1 marked the beginning of a new era in federal student aid. The Federal Family Education Loan program was officially put to rest on Thursday and from now on, the government will make federal student loans directly to students through their colleges. Additional changes are highlighted in this article.
Read More:
July 1: A Banner Day for Student Aid (Higher Ed Watch)
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCES THE EARLY CAREER RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR FY 2011
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today it is accepting proposals for the second year of the DOE Office of Science Early Career Research Program to support the research of outstanding scientists early in their careers. Up to $15 million in funding will be awarded in 2011 to support at least 50 early career researchers for five years at U.S. academic institutions and DOE national laboratories.
Read More:
Office of Science Announces the Early Career Research Program for FY 2011 (Department of Energy)
CREATION OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
The National Research Council has created a Committee on Research Universities. This study committee has been organized by the National Research Council in response to a request from Senators Lamar Alexander (TN) and Barbara Mikulski (MD) and Representatives Bart Gordon (TN) and Ralph Hall (TX) for a study focused on the health and competitiveness of our nation’s research universities. It was requested as a follow-up to the National Academies’ Rising Above the Gathering Storm study.
Read More:
Project Information (The National Academies)
WHITE HOUSE RELEASES NATIONAL SPACE POLICY
On June 28, President Obama announced the administration’s new National Space Policy. The National Space Policy expresses the President’s direction for the Nation’s space activities. The policy articulates the President’s commitment to reinvigorating U.S. leadership in space for the purposes of maintaining space as a stable and productive environment for the peaceful use of all nations.
Read More:
Fact Sheet: The National Space Policy (White House)
DEPARTMENTS URGE CAUTION ON USE OF ELECTRONIC BOOK READERS
The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice on Tuesday released an open letter to colleges expressing concern that some institutions might be “using electronic book readers that are not accessible to students who are blind or have low vision” and warning them that the government will crack down on any institutions that are “requiring” disabled students to use emerging technology that does not comply with federal accessibility laws. - Inside Higher Ed
Read More:
Joint "Dear Colleague" Letter: Electronic Book Readers (Departments of Justice and Education)
PREFERRED RATE FOR LIAISON CAPITOL HILL HOTEL
The Association of American Universities (AAU) has made special arrangements with the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel for AAU members who are traveling on business or pleasure to the DC area. Simply call the hotel directly at 1-866-233-4642 and mention that you are with the Association of American Universities or make your reservations online and receive the discounted preferred rates listed below.
The Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel, An Affinia Hotel
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Reservations: 1-866-233-4642
Hotel: 1-202-638-1616
www.affinia.com
AAU PREFERRED RATES: Effective until December 31, 2010
High Season
September 1 – October 31
$249*
Low Season
July 1 – August 31
November 1 – December 31
$169*
Included in the AAU rate is wireless high-speed Internet access in the sleeping rooms. AAU does not guarantee room availability.
*Rates do not include applicable tax (currently 14.5% and subject to change without notice).