NEWS UPDATES
Are You Eligible for the Economic Stimulus Payment?
First Economic Stimulus Payments to Be Delivered Today, April 28, U.S. taxpayers who filed for direct deposit rebates on their 2007 tax returns will begin to receive their economic stimulus payments. For those who did not use direct deposit, the first printed stimulus checks will go out on May 9. To find out whether you will receive a stimulus payment and calculate the amount you will receive, click here. To find out when you will receive your payment, click here.
Provost's Academic Update
University's strategic positioning initiatives include better financial aid packages for graduate students. Click here for more details.
GAPSA Went to D.C.
The GAPSA's pubilc affairs team went to Washington D.C. April 3-4 to lobby for YOU. The team met with each office of the Minnesota Delegation, plus minority staff of the House Higher Education Committee. GAPSA's goal on this trip was to establish relationships with Congress and to remind our federal representatives of the importance of federal research grants in the academic lives and future careers of graduate and professional students.
Legislative Update
The Minnesota House and Senate passed the bonding bill. Included in this bill is funding for the Biomedical Reserach Facility and a new Science building. However, Governor Pawlenty has line-item vetoed several provisions, including funding for the Central Corridor, Bell Museum of Natural History, and classroom renovations. GAPSA encourages all students to contact Governor Pawlenty and your legislators in support of the Central Corridor.
Support the U Day
Over 200 University of Minnesota students, alumni, faculty and staff from all five campuses packed the Capitol rotunda for Support the U Day on February 20th. The day included speeches and visits with dozens of state legislators, all focusing on the Capital Bonding Request for 2008.
Click here to see the details of the 2008 Bonding Request.
Global News
See this link for daily updates on Global Higher Education News.
LEGISLATIVE BILLS THAT IMPACT GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS AT THE U
Federal Legislation
H.R. 5: "College Student Relief Act of 2007, Amending the Higher Education Reauthorization Act"
H.R. 5140: "Economic Stimulus Act of 2008"
H.R.1275/S.774: "Dream Act of 2007"
Minnesota State Legislation
HF0722: "Resident Tuition regulated"
SF0653: "Higher Education Resident Tuition Rates Qualification Requirements"
SF0533: "Higher Education Tuition Increases Limitation"
SF1314: "Textbook Pricing and Access Act"
SF0176: Appropriations for the U and the Mayo Foundation biotechnology and medical genomics research.
HF0034: Authorizes the U to spend state-appropriated funds on Stem Cell Research.
SF0686: "Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) grant program"
SF0933: The U's libraries, institute for advanced study and technologies appropriations.
SF1788: The U and neighborhood alliance; relative homestead registration requirement.
University Governance
Council of Academic Professionals & Administrators (CAPA)