FOSEP is hosting a discussion panel to address the upcoming "fiscal cliff" on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. in JILA room X317. The event is free and open to the public. Whether you are familiar or unfamiliar with the upcoming, across-the-board federal budget cuts, you are welcome to come learn more about what kind of effect sequestration will have and discuss the issue with state and university leaders.
The across-the-board spending cuts poised to take place this January under the Budgetary Control Act pose an immediate risk to our nation's leadership in scientific progress, education, and defense, as well as to job creation and infrastructure development. This policy, more commonly referred to as sequestration, or the "fiscal cliff," will immediately cut $1.2 trillion from both defense and non-defense sectors regardless of who wins the election. Federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which fund much of the research here on campus, could have their budgets slashed by between 7%-9%. Congress has a four-week session to craft and pass legislation to confront and avoid these cuts.
Discussion panelists include:
Monisha Merchant, Senior Advisor for Business Affairs in the office of Senator Michael Bennet (and formerly served on the CU Board of Regents)
Ben Webster, CU Director of External and Government Relations
Scott Rayder, Senior Advisor for Development & Partnerships at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
More information on this event can be found at fosep.colorado.edu.