Washington Office in the News

Video, podcasts and articles by and about the Office of Federal Relations


Videos

Video: "Research Universities and the Future of America: Ten Breakthrough Actions Vital to Our Nation's Prosperity and Security"
Watch video of the Jan. 16, 2013, strategic discussion on the National Academy of Sciences' seminal report at Vanderbilt University.

Video: Election 2012 and the Congressional “Lame Duck”: What’s at Stake?
Watch video of the Oct. 15th Federal Forum on "Election 2012 and the Congressional “Lame Duck”: What’s at Stake?" hosted by the Office of Federal Relations and Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. The keynote speakers were:

  • Beth Fortune, vice chancellor for public affairs (moderator)
  • John Geer, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science, professor of public policy and education and co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll and the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions;
  • Larry Bartels, May Werthan Shayne Chair of Public Policy and Social Science and co-director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions;
  • Josh Clinton, associate professor of political science and co-director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions; and
  • Christina West, Vanderbilt assistant vice chancellor for federal relations.

Video: Campaign Hype or Substantive Policy
Watch video of the Federal Forum on “The Administration’s College Affordability & Completion Agenda: Campaign Hype or Substantive Policy?” hosted by the Office of Federal Relations. The keynote speakers were Douglas L. Christiansen, vice provost for enrollment, and dean of admissions, and Christina West, assistant vice chancellor of federal relations. Beth Fortune, vice chancellor of public affairs, moderated. West discussed the recent scrutiny by the administration, Congress and other political candidates on college costs and tuition as well as some of the proposals seeking to address those issues, questioning whether this is simply campaign rhetoric or whether substantive legislative proposals will emerge. Christiansen talked about the impact this increased scrutiny has on Vanderbilt and its financial aid and enrollment policies.

Video: Impact of Deficit Reduction on Higher Education
Watch the Oct. 25 video of the Federal Forum: Impact of Deficit Reduction on Higher Education. This Forum will focus on the congressional Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, programs of interest that may be at risk for budget cuts, and potential outcomes of these negotiations.

Video: The 112th Congress: Expect the Unexpected
Watch the March 22 video of the Federal Forum: The 112th Congress: Expect the Unexpected. This Forum will focus on what to expect from the 112th Congress, the new faces on Capitol Hill and the latest on budget and appropriation issues.

Video: The Federal Outlook for Energy Research and Sustainability
Watch video of the Oct. 27, 2009 Federal Forum hosted by the Office of Federal Relations on "The Federal Outlook for Energy Research and Sustainability." The National Science Board recently released the report "Building a Sustainable Energy Future: U.S. Actions for an Effective Energy Economy Transformation.

Video: From Famine to Feast: The Impact of an Influx of Federal Research Funding
Watch video of the March 16, 2009 forum sponsored by the Office of Federal Relations. This forum is particularly timely given the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which includes significant investments in science.

Video: Vanderbilt Government Relations 101: Advocacy on the Federal, State & Local Levels -- What's in it for me?
The Division of Public Affairs' Community, Neighborhood, and Government Relations Office and Office of Federal Relations hosted a Nov. 19, 2008 forum on "Vanderbilt Government Relations 101: Advocacy on the Federal, State & Local Levels -- What's in it for me?"

Video: Passage of the Higher Education Act
Watch video of an Oct. 29, 2008 lunchtime "Federal Forum" on the "Passage of the Higher Education Act: the feds want us to do WHAT?" This forum focuses on the recently passed Higher Education Act and what its implications will be for Vanderbilt.


Podcasts

Podcast: Federal Research Compliance: Why Are They Doing This to Us?!?
Listen to a Nov. 11, 2007, forum with Vanderbilt administrators and compliance officers about compliance with federal regulations and what university faculty and staff need to know about this critical and complex issue, and the political and regulatory environment that drives these regulations.

Podcast: Student Aid: There's a New Game in D.C.
Listen to June 21, 2007, panel discussion on the current student financial aid scandal and debate, what to expect from Washington, and how Vanderbilt handles student aid.

 

News Articles

Articles from 2013

Chancellor Zeppos leads discussion on future of U.S. research universities
By David Salisbury | Research News @ Vanderbilt | Jan. 17, 2013

 

Articles from 2012

'Cliff' looming for biomedical research
By Jeff Balser | Tennessean | Dec. 2, 2012

Irresponsible cuts to research will curtail innovation
By Nicholas S. Zeppos and Joe DiPietro | Nov. 28, 2012

How will Vanderbilt weather 'fiscal cliff?'
By Sam McBride | InsideVandy | Oct. 31, 2012

Grad student demos tablet apps to aid visually impaired on Capitol Hill
By David Salisbury | Research Blog @ Vanderbilt | May 24, 2012

Online Research Tools Developed at VU Lauded on Capitol Hill
By Bill Snyder | VU Reporter | March 29, 2012

Op-Ed: Congress, Help Us Train More Doctors
From NY Daily News | March 21, 2012

2012 Impact Symposium with Sen. Lamar Alexander
From Vanderbilt News | March 16, 2012

Engineering Dean Galloway invited to White House
From the School of Engineering | Feb. 9, 2012

 

Articles from 2011

Update on 2012 Federal Omnibus Appropriations
From MyVUMC | Dec. 20, 2011

Arts and Science On the Hill
By Sandy Smith, Arts and Science Magazine, Fall 2011

Discoveries show value of federal support
By Bill Snyder, Research Blog@Vanderbilt, Oct. 13, 2011

Defending education and innovation in the face of the budget-cutting wave
By David Salisbury, Research Blog@Vanderbilt, Oct. 11, 2011

Dean Benbow visits the White House
By David Salisbury, Research Blog@Vanderbilt, Sept. 30, 2011

Hospital care, physician training at risk to cuts
By Jeff Balser, Tennessean, July 10, 2011

Zeppos, Balser Meet with Congressional Leaders
From MyVU, June 27, 2011

Maymester class visits White House
From MyVU, May 17, 2011

Prof. Rosenthal goes to Washington
By David Salisbury, Research Blog@Vanderbilt, May 13, 2011

 

Articles from 2010

Cain to represent VU in Washington, D.C.
By Leslie Hill, Vanderbilt Reporter, Nov. 19, 2010

Experts from the Vanderbilt community are making an impact in Washington
From Vanderbilt VIEW, November 2010

Peabody Dean Camilla Benbow Testifies Before Congress
From VU CAST, April 14, 2010

Vanderbilt University freshman testifies at federal human trafficking hearing
From VU CAST, March 25, 2010

Vanderbilt Professor Offers Key Factors in Recruiting Minorities, Women to Critical Science, Engineering Careers
From VU CAST, March 16, 2010

Schmidt Addresses U.S. Defense Research at Capitol Hill Briefing
From the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, Jan. 20, 2010

 

Articles from 2009

How Stimulus Spending Plan Could Benefit VMC
By Bill Snyder, Vanderbilt Reporter, March 27, 2009

Economic Stimulus Package Provides Massive Funds for Science, Education
By Christina West, Vanderbilt View, March 2009

Congress Approves Massive Funds for Science, Education
By Christina West, MyVU, Feb. 16, 2009

The Obama Effect
By Christina West, Vanderbilt View, January 2009

 

Articles from 2008

Sen. Alexander Hits HEA Reauthorization, Cites Letter from Chancellor Zeppos
From BlogVU, Aug. 1, 2008

People: Jane Best, Navigator of Education Policy
From Peabody Reflector, Spring 2008

Vanderbilt Engineering Students Explain Federally Funded
Research Projects to Policy Makers

From MyVU, Feb. 28, 2008

Zeppos Outlines Concerns About Reauthorization of Higher Education Act
By Sara Gast, Vanderbilt Hustler, Feb. 4, 2008

 

Articles from 2007

Branch Office Represents Vanderbilt in Washington, D.C.
From the Vanderbilt Hustler, Sept. 18, 2007

Study Abroad Offices Under Scrutiny
By Eve Attermann, Vanderbilt Hustler, Sept. 12, 2007

Forum Takes Hard Look At Federal Student Aid
From the Vanderbilt Register, June 22, 2007

Bowlers Visit White House
From the Vanderbilt Register, June 18, 2007

Gerstle Addresses House Judiciary Committee on Immigration
By Jeff Vincent, Vanderbilt Register, May 17, 2007

Reform Fails to Close University Loophole
By Osita Ireogbu, Legal Times, May 14, 2007

Congressional Reception Draws Politicians, Alumni and Friends
From the Vanderbilt Register, Feb. 19, 2007

 

Articles from 2006

Gordon Steps Up to House Science Post
By Jeffrey Mervis, Science Magazine, Nov. 17, 2006

The Higher Ed Lobby in Washington: What Are the Issues and Who Has the Power
From the National Press Foundation, Oct. 31, 2006

Vanderbilt Internship Experience in Washington to Hold Information Session
By Christina England, Vanderbilt Hustler, Oct. 25, 2006

Vanderbilt Supports Federally-funded Study Abroad Programs
By Linda Vongkhamchanh, Vanderbilt Hustler, Sept. 20, 2006

Unique Program Gives Students Multifaceted Look at Washington
By Joan Brasher, Vanderbilt Register, June 30, 2006

Alumni Hold Top Posts in Education on Capitol Hill
By Jeff Vincent, Vanderbilt Register, April 24, 2006

 

Articles from 2005

BOT Hears About Challenges Facing a 'Flat World'
By Melanie Moran, Vanderbilt Register, Nov. 14, 2005

Intern Offers Unique View of Washington Experience
By Allison Everhardt, Vanderbilt Register, July 24, 2005

Maymester Courses Take Students Near and Far
By James Doyle, Vanderbilt Register, June 27, 2005

Faculty Members Venture 'Inside the Beltway' to Promote Federal Research
By Jeff Vincent, Vanderbilt Register, April 18, 2005

University Research Builds Industry, Maintains Competitiveness
By Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., Vanderbilt Register, April 4, 2005

Proposed Federal Budget Could Be Troublesome for Research Universities
By Jeff Vincent, Vanderbilt Register, March 7, 2005

 

Articles from 2004

New Internship Program Gives Students First-hand 'View' of Nation's Capital
By Kara Furlong, Vanderbilt Register, Nov. 18, 2004

Board of Trust Convenes
By Vanderbilt News Service, Nov. 22, 2004

Outcome of Nov. 2 Election Will Affect Higher Education
By Jeff Vincent, Vanderbilt Register, Oct. 25, 2004

Questions Remain as Congress Winds Up Regular Session
By Jeff Vincent, Vanderbilt Register, Oct. 25, 2004

Vanderbilt Expands Washington Office
By Colleen Creamer, Nashville City Paper, Feb. 26, 2004

Expansion of Washington Office Reflects Growth in University's Mission
By Skip Anderson, Vanderbilt Register, Feb. 20, 2004