Harvard Keeps Track of a Busy Congress

Harvard is keeping a close watch on a few pieces of legislation amid the hundreds of billions of dollars in spending and taxation packages that have been making their way around Capitol Hill in Washington in the frantic recent weeks.

"It is a very busy time," said Jane H. Corlette, acting vice president of government, community and public affairs. "The president has an extremely ambitious legislative package, even without health care."

National Science Foundation funding, National Institutes of Health funding and a program to allow universities to directly finance and service federally guaranteed student loans are among the key areas Corlette is keeping an eye on, she said.

Corlette said last week that National Science Foundation funding is slated for an 11 percent increase. That could translate into some innovative science education programs for Harvard classrooms, she said.

The National Institutes of Health budget, which the president's original budget slated for a six percent increase, has had additional money added by the House and Senate, Corlette said. She said the added money will make a real difference, and that the original small increase, if passed, "could drive a lot of young researchers out of science."

Harvard has also strongly supported legislation for direct lending, which Corlette called "a program that has real promise to save money and make the whole process a lot less confusing."

Currently, the private Student Loan Marketing Association, or Sallie Mae, services student loans, acting as an intermediary between the federal government and student recipients of federally guaranteed or subsidized student loans.

Under direct lending, universities would make the loans and finance them, and the Internal Revenue Service would collect them.

Proponents of the direct lending plan say that it would simplify things for students and save money by reducing the default rate and cutting out the profit now made by Sallie Mae and commercial banks.

Corlette said that although banks lobbied vigorously in opposition to direct lending, both the House and the Senate passed versions of legislation enabling the program. Harvard will have to apply to participate.

Corlette said Harvard is also interested in legislation to create a National Service Trust that would give young adults grants toward tuition in return for participating in community service.

The University is watching the budget reconciliation bill as well with the hopes of making favorable changes to the proposed tax deduction for gifts of appreciated property.

The current proposal for taxing donations of art or other goods that have appreciated in value since they were acquired, she said, acts as "a disincentive for our most generous donors.

Corlette said Harvard is also interested in legislation to create a National Service Trust that would give young adults grants toward tuition in return for participating in community service.

The University is watching the budget reconciliation bill as well with the hopes of making favorable changes to the proposed tax deduction for gifts of appreciated property.

The current proposal for taxing donations of art or other goods that have appreciated in value since they were acquired, she said, acts as "a disincentive for our most generous donors.