Trump Delivers First Address to Congress
BU IN DC
School of Education Dean Hardin Coleman joined the LEARN Coalition to discuss education research supported by the Institute for Education Sciences with Congressional staff on February 13.
Willis Wang of Global Programs participated in the annual conference of the Association of International Education Administrators on February 19 through 22.
School of Medicine Dean Karen Antman attended a board meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges on February 22 and 23.
Christine McGuire of Enrollment and Student Affairs, Jessica Griffin of the School of Education, and Haley Nielsen of the College of Communication took part in the Leadership & Legislative Conference of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators between February 27 and March 1.
TRUMP DELIVERS FIRST ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump addressed both chambers of Congress for the first time, providing an overview of the issues he plans to prioritize in the year ahead. Trump pledged to end the budget caps on federal defense spending, echoing a blueprint outlined by the White House Office of Management and Budget on Monday that proposed a $54 billion increase for defense programs. A dramatic defense increase would likely necessitate significant cuts to domestic programs, which could include priorities for research universities, but it is unclear what those cuts will be. Congress would need to approve the President’s budget proposal before it could become law. The President also defended his Administration’s efforts to tighten restrictions on immigration, but stated that he would be open to bipartisan legislation that may provide avenues to citizenship for some.
BUZZ BITS…
- The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice withdrew guidance previously issued by the Obama Administration that required colleges to provide access to sex-segregated facilities, like restrooms, based on gender identity. However, the Trump Administration’s new guidance states that schools continue to have a responsibility under Title IX to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students “are able to thrive and learn in a safe environment.”
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking input on a proposed initiative to collect data that would provide a better understanding of student loan servicing and its impact on borrowers.
- The U.S. Senate passed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transition Authorization Act of 2017, providing guidance for NASA priorities during the change between the Obama and Trump Administrations. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill in the near future.
GRANT NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Department of Defense (DOD) has released its Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Minerva Research Initiative, the agency’s signature social science research program. Minerva aims to provide DOD with a better understanding of the factors influencing the geopolitical environment. The agency is seeking proposals on topics such as the social impact of autonomy, societal interconnectivity and security, societal resilience and sociopolitical instability, power and deterrence, and military cyber defense. White papers are required by March 21, and invitations for full proposals will be sent in May.