Diversity and Inclusion Fuels Innovation in STEM Capitol Hill Day Melissa Tata, FY 2012 SWE President
Cosponsors "Diversity and Inclusion Fuels Innovation in STEM" Capitol Hill Day is being made possible by a grant from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Agenda Welcome/ Overview Current Public Policy Issues Related to Women and STEM Perspectives from ASEE From a Ph.D. to a Congressional Staffer Overview of Congressional Visit Talking Points Perspectives from the Administration and Congress Role Play Exercise in Small Groups Q&A Adjourn
Why Hold a Separate Capitol Hill Day? While there are many successful science and technology (S&T) advocacy days on Capitol Hill, there are none that focus solely on the need to strengthen the diversity of the STEM workforce. With the imminent changes in the U.S. workforce demographics, SWE felt organizing such a day was timely. We appreciate the support of our 28 cosponsors in organizing this event.
Current Public Policy Issues Related to Women and STEM Karen Horton, P.E. FY12 Chair, SWE Government Relations and Public Policy Committee
Core Message of D&I Capitol Hill Day Through this Capitol Hill Day, we are educating Members and staff about how a commitment to attaining a diverse and inclusive U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce would help maintain our competitiveness through innovation. However, we need to acknowledge the current budget situation, and the fact that Congress must prioritize funding.
Core Message of D&I Capitol Hill Day Women and other under-represented groups currently represent only a small portion of the STEM workforce. While funding for R&D and STEM education are important, Congress and the Administration must prioritize resources to those efforts that target underrepresented groups in STEM; i.e. the ADVANCE program.
Changing Demographics U.S. Population (Census Bureau, 2010) U.S. Engineers (NSF, 2010) 14.8% 5.6% 0.3% 3.2% 76.2%
Women as percent of selected U.S. occupations, 2007 NSF Science & Engineering Indicators, 2009
Core Message (cont.) Leveraging the U.S. s diverse population is our country s unique advantage in a global competition. A truly diverse workforce will fuel increased innovation when it takes advantage of the variety of approaches and perspectives offered by diversity.
Current Environment 94 new Members of House and 16 new Senators were elected in 2010, many elected specifically to cut the federal budget. First decrease in female Members in 30 years According to Congressional Research Service (CRS), only 18 members of the 112th Congress have PhDs, while 27 members have no educational degree beyond a high school diploma. While there are 222 Members of Congress who have law degrees, there are only 10 engineers in House and none in Senate
Current Environment (cont.) Before Thanksgiving 2011, the Deficit Reduction Supercommittee announced that it was unable to identify $1.2 trillion to cut in government spending Therefore, the sequestration process from the Budget Control Act will commence in January of 2013 Non-defense discretionary spending would face a 5.5% to 7.8% cut annually over the next ten years, while defense discretionary spending would face a 8.5% to 10% cut annually
Spending Divide Even in this constrained environment, President Obama has sought major increases in non-defense research and development (R&D) and STEM education. In FY 12, Congress cut his request, but provided much more for R&D and STEM education than many expected. Flat is the new doubling, i.e. non-defense R&D up 0.4 percent in FY 2012 over FY 2011 (7.6 percent below what the Administration wanted)
Current Environment (cont.) Sequestration + Election Year Politics=? As 501(c)3 organizations, we must make sure science and technology issues do not become partisan
Perspectives from ASEE Bevlee A. Watford, Ph.D. Chair, Diversity Committee American Society for Engineering Education
From a Ph.D. to a Congressional Staffer Libby O Hare, Ph.D. The Honorable Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Overview of Congressional Visit Talking Points Alexis McKittrick, Ph.D. Chair-Elect, SWE Government Relations and Public Policy Committee
America COMPETES Reauthorization The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act (P.L. 111-358) was signed into law on January 4, 2011, and authorized historic increases for research and science education at the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, and the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST). Even after the recent budget deals between the Administration and Congress, the White House is still seeking to double the aforementioned agencies budgets, but the doubling timeframe has been lengthened.
SWE s Message to Congress Stable and sustained funding for key federal science and engineering agencies is critical (e.g. NSF, DOD, DOE, NASA, NIH, NIST, etc.) NSF is unique in having a legislated mandate (The Equal Opportunities for Women and Minorities in Science and Technology Act of 1981) to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM. Research and education are inextricably linked
SWE s Message to Congress With limited resources, it makes sense to specifically target underrepresented populations Role of science and engineering in job creation Importance of STEM education Hot topics: energy and manufacturing (if you can provide examples) CAUTION: America COMPETES Act is not necessarily an effective selling point with House Republicans
Talking Points Given the tight budget constraints, we appreciate Congress and the Obama Administration s commitment to funding scientific research and STEM education activities in FY 2012. We also encourage them to continue and sustain these funding priorities in the upcoming FY 2013 appropriations bill.
Specific Asks House Reps and Senators: Support the President s request for NSF at $7.373 billion; Support the President s request for the Education and Human Resources Directorate at $875.6 million;
Specific Asks (cont.) House Reps and Senators: Stress the importance of maintaining funding for the gender-specific and minority-focused programs at NSF, i.e. the ADVANCE program ($17.06 million) and the Research for Gender in Science and Engineering program ($10.5 million).
Other Bills to Watch Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX): H.R. 889, the Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act.
Other Bills to Watch (cont.) The E 2 for Innovation Act implements recommendations of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) report, Engineering in K-12 Education. H.R. 1951 (Rep. Paul Tonko) in the House; S.969 (Sens. Gillibrand/ Snowe) in the Senate
Importance of Congressional Visits Alexis McKittrick, Ph.D. Chair-Elect, SWE Government Relations and Public Policy Committee
Importance of Congressional Visits All politics is local : Members of Congress are concerned about what their constituents think, and how potential legislation will affect their districts Given the lack of engineers in Congress, many do not realize women and minorities are underrepresented in the engineering population It is important for you to let your Member know that the diversity in STEM issues are very important to you, and that you would like their support. 27
Importance of Congressional Visits The main purpose of Congressional visits is relationship building for you and your professional organization. They should not be one-shot meetings. Remember, staff members are your friends! Responsible for multiple issues; You and SWE/ your professional organization can offer to serve as a resource and expert on engineering issues. 28
Before the Meeting Research the past positions of your Members of Congress related to STEM issues, as well as what Congressional Committee(s) he/she is a member of www.house.gov www.senate.gov If supportive, remember to thank the Member/ staff, but it is best not to preach to the choir 29
Congressional Staff Roles Chief of Staff or Administrative Assistant Legislative Director Senior Legislative Assistant Legislative Assistant Legislative Correspondent Staff Assistant
Meeting with your Legislator Arrive on time; or better yet, arrive early! Always be courteous! Meeting may be delayed; Staff may be late; Meet with staff instead of Member of Congress Respect their Time! Plan for 10 minutes max Introductions: 2 minutes Issue points (with ask!): 3-4 minutes Questions/discussion: 4-5 minutes If still have time, follow-up points: 2-3 minutes 31
Meeting with your Legislator 1. Introductions Who do you represent; Why are you here; Personal expertise; Thank you for past support of diversity in STEM issues (if appropriate) 2. Message 3. Specific Asks Requests for Congressional Action Please note: You should only need a general level of understanding of the bills of interest and your society s position for your meetings, and any detailed questions can be referred to the SWE Washington Representative. 32
If Legislator is Supportive Thank them, and thank them again. Be a resource. If they need additional information or help, offer to assist them. Encourage them to move from being a supporter to a champion of your cause. Ask them if they will write a guest column, speak at a public event, or any other action that will support your position. However, it is typically best to refrain from these activities close to an election. 33
If Legislator is NOT Supportive Thank them for their time and don t spend a lot of your time. If they really do not support your cause, move on and spend your time on those who will. Stay friendly and cordial. Although you disagree on this issue, you might find agreement on other issues, and there might be opportunities to work together in the future. 34
If Legislator is undecided Seek to understand their reservations and continue to educate them about your side of the issue. If they request additional information, provide it to them in a timely manner. Think about their supporters and which ones you could try to mobilize on your behalf. 35
After the meeting Send a thank you note for the meeting and discussion Send additional materials that they may have requested Follow-up on your ask Reiterate your offer to be a resource Finally, keep in touch with the staffer, and follow-up a couple months later 36
Helpful Hints The House buildings are connected underground, as are the Senate buildings. Allow at least 30 minutes to get between the House and Senate side. You can walk, or take a cab. Remember: you will have to go through security again. 37
Perspectives from the Administration and Congress
Role Play Exercise in Groups
Thanks Thanks for agreeing to participate in the 2012 Diversity and Inclusion Fuels Innovation in STEM Capitol Hill Day, and we look forward to our continued work to increase diversity in the STEM workforce.
Questions? Questions?