Budget Deal Approved
BU IN DC
College of Engineering Dean Kenneth Lutchen discussed engineering education with congressional offices as part of the American Society for Engineering Education’s Public Policy Colloquium on February 6 and 7.
School of Public Health Dean Sandro Galea participated in a meeting of the National Academies Standing Committee on Medical and Public Health Research During Large-Scale Emergency Events, of which he is a member, on February 2.
Jay Orlander of the School of Medicine spoke at a Health Affairs briefing regarding the diffusion of innovation in health care on February 6.
BUDGET DEAL APPROVED
This morning, the President signed into law a bill to increase discretionary spending by $300 billion above the strict spending caps previously set by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Research and student aid advocates are optimistic the two-year budget agreement will make it easier for Congress to boost funding for these university priorities in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. With a budget agreement in hand, Congress will aim to finalize and pass the overdue spending bills that determine agency budgets by March 23. Federal agencies have been awaiting their budgets since the fiscal year began in October.
SENATORS OFFER DUELING HIGHER ED PRIORITIES
The senior Republican and Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee offered contrasting visions for a planned renewal of the Higher Education Act, pointing to the challenges policymakers will face as they work to reauthorize the bill. Last week, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) asked for feedback on a white paper which contemplates changing how the federal government identifies which schools are eligible to participate in the federal student aid programs. Ranking Democrat Patty Murray (D-WA) offered Democrats’ principles for the bill shortly thereafter. The Committee has held a series of hearings on higher education, and Chairman Alexander has stated his intent to introduce a bipartisan bill this spring.
EVENT NEWS YOU CAN USE
BU Research will host a “Research on Tap” gathering focused on Global Development Policy on February 12. BU scholars will give three-minute micro-talks on their research in financial stability, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. Kevin Gallagher of the BU Global Development Policy Center will serve as host, and faculty are encouraged to network with colleagues and find research collaborators.