ACE submitted comments
last week in response to a request
for information from the National Science and
Technology Council on the work of the Joint Committee on the Research
Environment (JCORE) and how to maximize the quality and effectiveness of American
research.
The comments, submitted
along with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, focused on two
issues: 1) strengthening the security of the science and technology research
enterprise; and 2) fostering safe, inclusive, and equitable research
environments.
On the first, as the
higher education community has said many times, we take the concerns raised by
federal policymakers regarding undue foreign influence and potential illicit
technology transfer extremely seriously. The groups recommended that JCORE
continue engaging with diverse groups of stakeholders, coordinating among the
federal agencies, and working collaboratively with institutions to bring them
into compliance with existing regulations.
Regarding the
second question, the associations noted that college and universities have
clear and unambiguous responsibilities under Title IX, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act, and other federal requirements to respond to allegations of sexual
harassment, including sexual assault. Referring JCORE to comments sent to the
National Science Foundation in 2018 and to NASA in 2019 on the same issue, they
urged the committee to take into account existing federal and state regulations
as well as the pending update to Title IX rules.
"Overlapping
but different requirements imposed by new terms and conditions from the federal
science agencies will cause confusion and create conflicting obligations for
institutions that are committed to complying with all applicable law," the
groups wrote. “Once again, clear and consistent federal requirements will
enhance compliance.”
To read the
comments in full, click
here.