Ellen Smith, assistant vice president, represents and informs the Univesity on issues such as financial aid, Medicare and Medicaid, research funds and tax policies as they pertain to higher education.

Where to Find It

The Federal Relations Web is accessible on the Administration and Index pages of ColumbiaWeb.


VOL. 23, NO. 4	September 26, 1997

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Some Bills Will be Delayed, Await the Second Session of Congress

By Ellen Smith

s the Federal fiscal year and the first session of Congress near closure, there are a host of issues Congress is addressing as it awaits completion of the 13 annual appropriations bills. Some areas, such as copyright reform and higher education reauthorization, are likely to be delayed until the second session of Congress next year.

The Federal fiscal year ends on September 30; the bills funding agencies annually are not yet complete. Most staff and legislators are counting on a an extension bill or continuing resolution to keep the government funded. Columbia's research funding and student aid are among the items that will be affected if some of the bills are not complete. But the effects are expected to be minimal, as the FY 98 bill covers student aid for the 1998-99 academic year and research funding will most likely be delayed only minimally, if at all.

How to shape science policy for the future is the goal of a new House Science Committee effort to reach out to the education and science communities. Led by physicist and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), the review will seek input from the community at large.

"On-line Liability," about the unauthorized use of material from the world wide web, was the focus of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. The music industry has sought institutional liability for unlawful "piracy" of music and other materials, while universities have generally taken the position that the liability is user-based and access to information should be as widespread as possible.

For additional information, contact Ellen S. Smith, assistant vice president and director of federal and state relations, at ess9@columbia.edu.