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News and updates

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.

 

National Science Board Call for Nominations

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The National Science Board has announced a call for nominations for the following two awards:

2011 VANNEVAR BUSH AWARD
Honoring Exceptional Service to the Nation in Science and Technology

The Vannevar Bush Award is awarded annually to truly exceptional lifelong leaders in science and technology who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the Nation through public service activities in science, technology, and public policy. Recent recipients include: Bruce Alberts, Editor-in-Chief, Science Magazine; Mildred Dresselhaus, Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Norman Augustine, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Lockheed Martin Corporation.

2011 Nomination Flyer                                        Click here to submit a nomination

 

2011 NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD Honoring Service in Public Understanding of Science and Engineering

The National Science Board (NSB) Public Service Award honors individuals who and groups that have made substantial contributions to increasing public understanding of science and engineering in the United States.  These contributions may be in a wide variety of areas that have the potential of contributing to public understanding of and appreciation for science and engineering – including mass media, education and/or training programs, entertainment, etc.  Recipients of the NSB Public Service Award include NUMB3RS, the CBS television drama series; Ira Flatow, Host and Executive Producer of NPR’s “Science Friday”; Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; Bill Nye The Science Guy; and NOVA, the PBS television series.

2011 Nomination Flyer                                        Click here to submit a nomination

Senate may take action on the DREAM Act

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After reporting on this site yesterday that the DREAM Act was all but dead for this year, the Senate Majority Leader announced that they will try to pass this measure that would grant citizenship to young adults in the country illegally.  Senate leadership hopes to attach the DREAM Act to the FY11 defense authorization bill, which is expected to be brought to the Senate floor next week.  The DREAM Act is largely a bipartisan, politically popular bill that would allow young illegal immigrants who graduate from US high schools and who were brought to the country as minors to attain citizenship if they go to college or serve in the military for at least two years.  Advocates see the DREAM Act as a key step in achieving reform that would enable an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to gain citizenship.  Both Senators Murray and Cantwell (D-WA) have been sponsors of the DREAM Act and will likely support this effort.