Washington Update: Sexual Assault Legislation; HEA; AFRI Report; and More

APLU submitted extensive comments on the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, which addresses sexual assaults, and also joined in a higher ed community letter to key Members of Congress. APLU will continue to work with Congress on the legislation

In other communications to the Hill, APLU joined several other associations in submitting additional comments on proposed HEA reauthorization. Additionally, the National Research Council released its report on the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Also, the Department of Commerce is soliciting applications for the 2014 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program.

APLU Offers Comments, Concerns on Campus Accountability and Safety Act

After extensive consultation with our members, APLU submitted comments to the sponsors of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act in the House and Senate as well as the Chairs and Ranking Members of the relevant committees.

APLU has created a “working document” that will continue to be updated as we hear further from our members and the Hill. APLU has also joined with a number of higher education associations in a joint response to the legislation. The higher education community letter is consistent with our document although APLU’s document addresses some additional issues, e.g., how the legislation inappropriately refers to “crimes” in relation to university disciplinary processes.

Higher Education Task Force on Teacher Preparation Submits HEA Reauthorization Comments

The Higher Education Task Force on Teacher Preparation, of which APLU is a part, submitted comments to Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) on the draft reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The comments indicate both areas of support and concern on teacher preparation provisions within the draft legislation.

National Research Council (NRC) Releases Report on AFRI

The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies released its report on the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The NRC report, Spurring Innovation in Food and Agriculture: A Review of the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Program, can be found at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18652

The NRC report stresses the importance and contribution of agriculture to the U. S. economy: 8 percent of the GDP. Even though the United States leads the world in agricultural R&D, the report concluded that the U. S. investment in agricultural R&D has declined in relation to the rest of the world and innovation is slowing. U. S. leadership in agricultural R&D is at risk, according to the report. The NRC report makes no recommendations on funding levels.

Department of Commerce 2014 Regional Innovation Strategies Program Solicitation Now Available

The Department of Commerce 2014 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program solicitation is now available online. The Economic Development Administration within the Department of Commerce is seeking applications for three grant programs: the i6 challenge, Science and Research Park Development Grants, and Cluster Grants for Seed Capital Funds. This is the first year funding has been available through the program, which seeks to help develop regional innovation ecosystems and provide support for commercialization. Up to $15 million in grant funding will be made available. Further information is available from the Department of Commerce announcement here or the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) announcement here.