Another quick update on the goings on in the land of science and higher education as the government shutdown continues. This evening we have news from Cornell, federal indirect cost rates, and some curious job postings from NIH.
Today’s header image is Linus Pauling’s copy of Photo 51 and the subtitle is a reference to this important bit of molecular biology.
The government shutdown continues.
Unlike previous weeks, the Senate did not adjourn on Thursday. Negotiations are expected to continue through the weekend. It is possible that we will see a vote tomorrow.
Today Senate Democrats offered a proposal to end the shutdown - A continuing resolution, plus a one-year extension of health care tax credits, a plan to continue broader talks. This proposal was swiftly rejected by Republicans.
The House of Representatives has extended its recess through next week.
Cornell University has settled with the Administration.
As part of the agreement, Cornell will pay $30 million to the government, will invest an additional $30 million towards agricultural research programs, and will provide the government with admissions data broken down by race, GPA, and standardized test scores.
The Chronicle of Higher Education has a nice breakdown of how this settlement compares to others. For example, Cornell’s settlement does not require the appointment of a resolution monitor like Columbia’s.
As litigation on this issue continues, the University of Pittsburgh announced [pdf] this week that it has negotiated a 59% indirect cost rate with the Department of Health and Human Services.
This negotiation appears to have occurred before the shutdown began and before the change of leadership at the other agency that negotiates IDC rates - the Office of Navel Research.
Institutions of higher education negotiate with either HHS or ONR to set an indirect cost rate. Which agency negotiates with a given institution is ostensibly determined by whether the institution receives more funding from HHS or DOD.
The New York Times has a report a lawsuit raised by unions representing UCLA faculty, students, and staff to block the Administration’s funding cuts to the university. At a hearing yesterday, the judge appeared very skeptical of the Administration’s approach. A ruling is expected late next week at the earliest.
James Watson, of Watson and Crick/double helix fame and individual infamy, has died at the age of 97. This evening, have a nice treat in honor of Rosalind Franklin and all the other unheralded scientists, students, staff, and other folks who contributed to the early history of molecular biology.
The NIH posted job listings for a number of senior positions today, including postings for the multiple institute directors (NIGMS, NIDCR, NLM, NICHD, and NHGRI). The listings close in two weeks.