APLU Statement Supporting the University Regulations Streamlining & Harmonization Act

Washington, D.C.— Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today released the following statement in support of the University Regulation Streamlining and Harmonization Act of 2016, introduced by Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

“The University Regulation Streamlining and Harmonization Act would make important strides toward simplifying the regulatory thicket that at times stands in the way of the most innovative research undertaken at U.S. universities. It addresses many of the onerous regulations highlighted in a report last year by the National Academy of Sciences. Too often, outdated or needless regulations remain in effect at the expense of university-led innovation when they could be safely ended.

“This bill would make research at U.S. universities more efficient, effective, and globally competitive. It would streamline duplicative auditing of research grants. It would also create an online database for researchers’ grant application information to free more time for what they do best — conducting cutting-edge research that transforms every aspect of our lives, from medicine and nutrition to engineering and computing. And crucially, it would create advisory boards that would help prevent redundant regulations from taking effect and prune antiquated ones that already have.”