Morrison Testifies on Harassment in Academia
BU IN DC
Diane Baldwin of Sponsored Programs and Kathryn Mellouk of Research Compliance attended the Council on Governmental Relations annual meeting on June 6 and 7.
Azer Bestavros of the Rafik Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering participated in a panel on ethical artificial intelligence at the Amazon Public Sector Summit on June 12.
College of Engineering Dean Kenneth Lutchen attended a workshop with the Army Futures Command on June 12.
MORRISON TESTIFIES ON HARASSMENT IN ACADEMIA
Provost Jean Morrison was invited by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to testify at a hearing on “Combating Sexual Harassment in Science” on Wednesday. Morrison highlighted the steps Boston University is taking to promote a more inclusive research environment, while noting that the University must do more to address gender-based harassment. She also recommended actions Congress and federal agencies can take to support institutions grappling with the issue. The Provost also met with staff for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and with Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA).
ADMINISTRATION RESTRICTS FETAL TISSUE RESEARCH
On June 5, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it was placing new limitations on federally-funded research on fetal tissue. Proposals for new research involving fetal tissue and renewal applications for existing fetal tissue research will need to be reviewed by an HHS ethics advisory board, which has yet to be created. The new policy also prohibits the National Institutes of Health from conducting intramural research that utilizes fetal tissues from elective abortions. The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to halt the new policy on a nearly party-line vote, but the U.S. Senate has no plans to consider it.
EDUCATION DEPT. PROPOSES NEW ACCREDITATION RULES
The U.S. Department of Education published a proposed regulation on Wednesday that would provide both colleges and accreditors with greater flexibility in the accreditation process. The proposal would allow colleges to open branch campuses prior to receiving approval from an accreditor and to more easily outsource a portion of their academic programs to non-accredited entities, among other provisions. Although there is a 30-day public comment period before the rule is finalized, the Department is unlikely to change the draft rule since a negotiated rulemaking panel of outside stakeholders already reached consensus on the proposal this spring.