Science and Policy Home
Adopted by Council May 1988
Reaffirmed May 1996, May 2001, May 2005
American institutions have a widely recognized need for new resources for research programs, capital facilities, and equipment. Individual members of Congress have attempted to deal with this issue on a piecemeal basis through a variety of procedures collectively known as earmarking. While these measures may be adequate in the context of particular institutions, they do not appropriately or effectively solve the larger issue of continued support for capital funding through the federal government.
In view of the importance of a strong academic teaching and research base for economic development in the United States, the upgrading of science and engineering facilities at colleges and universities is clearly in the best interest of the country, one in which the federal government can and should play a leading role. The American Geophysical Union, therefore, strongly supports capital expenditures in science and engineering at institutions of higher education. A broad-based system of merit review of proposals should be part of any such program, in order to see that the wisest use is made of available funds.
Permissions: Members everywhere are encouraged to help inform the policy making process in their home locales with thoughtful presentation of scientific viewpoints. Council adoption of position statements is one way that the Union can assist in this process. Any member may use an AGU policy statement in discussions with local or national policy makers as an official statement of the Union. If you use excerpts from a statement, then you should not attribute those as a Union position. Societies anywhere may use an AGU position statement with or without attribution as a basis for developing their own statements.
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