mr MICHELLE CASTRO

Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriations: Federal Pell Grant Program and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Program.

H.R. 2117: "To prohibit the Department of Education from overreaching into academic affairs and program eligibility under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965."

Requested Senator Casey's support, by way of a written letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), for the University's application to establish a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Met with Congressional staff in the offices of Congressman Critz, Altmire, Doyle, and Kelly as well as staff members from the offices of Senator Casey and Senator Toomey to generate awareness of Duquesne University's Institute for Energy and the Environment. The University is seeking contacts within the U.S. Department of Energy and the E.P.A..

On February 9th and 10th 2011 met with House and Senate members about the proposed cuts to the federal Pell Grant Program and the federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG); communicated the University's concern with the proposed cuts and the impact the cuts will have on Duquesne University students.

On March 31, 2011 meetings on Capitol Hill took place to discuss Duquesne University's School of Pharmacy and its various community outreach activities including the School's application to join HRSA's 340B drug pricing program, and application for a FQHC Planning Grant. Senator Casey's office agreed to send a letter of support to HRSA in support of the FQHC Planning Grant application.

In March 2011 I contacted the offices of Congressman Tim Murphy, Congressman Jason Altmire, and Congressman Mike Doyle about the recent establishment of the House Marcellus Shale Caucus. I informed the Congressional staff that Duquesne faculty member, Dr. Kent Moors, can provide expertise on this matter and that, in the future, Dr. Moors would be willing to serve as a guest speaker/witness at future briefings/hearings.

Contacted the offices of Senator Casey, Senator Specter, Congressman Doyle, Congressman Murphy, and Congressman Altmire regarding the University's support of higher education-related provisions included in the tax extenders bill. Specifically: Section 127 Employer Education Assistance of the Internal Revenue Code, The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), and the Student Loan Interest Deduction (SLID).

Submitted letters of support to the offices of Congressman Doyle, Congressman Altmire, and Congressman Tim Murphy regarding H.R. 5567, The Urban University Renissance Act.