Highlights of membership in NCSE's University Affiliate Program for 2008-2009 include:

• Representation on NCSE’s Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD), the leading group working to improve the quality, stature, and effectiveness of academic environmental programs. A newly created Climate Solutions Curriculum Committee is working to develop materials and courses to prepare students to address the climate challenge.
• Complimentary registrations for faculty and students to participate in NCSE's National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment: Biodiversity in a Rapidly Changing World, December 8-10, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
• Free, campus-wide subscription to four leading online Environment & Energy publications.
• A new Campus to Careers Program, which provides paid environmentally-related internship opportunities at Federal agencies for your students and recent graduates.
• Participation in the "University-Federal Dialogue on Environmental and Energy Research and Education Funding" in April 27, 2009, an exclusive meeting for faculty and administrators to meet with senior officials in the new administration that provide funding to universities.
  

A premier benefit of University Affiliate membership is representation on the NCSE's Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD).  Launched in 2001, CEDD currently includes leading environmental faculty from over 150 affiliate institutions representing academic environmental programs of all sizes and types. Government agencies, national and international organizations, and business groups seek out CEDD as a gateway to working with the academic environmental community. The president of each University Affiliate school is invited to designate a representative to serve on CEDD.

National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment

NCSE convenes an annual national conference that brings together academic, government, business, scientific, and civil society leaders to address a critical environmental challenge.  The 8th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment focused on the theme of " Climate Change, Science and Solutions ". The 9th National Conference, "Biodiversity in a Rapidly Changing World ", will be held December 8-10, 2008 in Washington, D.C. University Affiliate schools receive complimentary conference registrations for up to five faculty members and/or students (depending on school size).

Free Campus-wide Subscription to Leading Online Environmental Publications

NCSE provides member schools with a complimentary, campus-wide subscription to four leading online publications by Environment & Energy (E&E) Publishing - Environment & Energy Daily, Greenwire, Land Letter and Environment & Energy News PM. These resources are useful to faculty in course preparation, to students in their classwork and policy research, and to administrators by keeping them informed on today's major issues. The service is valued at up to $6,000.

University-Federal Dialogue on Environmental and Energy Research and Education Funding

Faculty and administrators at affiliate institutions are invited to attend an exclusive one-day meeting with officials at major federal agencies that provide funding in environmental research and education. This workshop offers information and discussion on agencies' priorities, funding opportunities, and new initiatives of direct relevance to schools.  It is an exceptional opportunity for university participants to obtain first-hand information and develop relationships with federal officials.

Advancement of Environmental Research and Education Funding at Federal and Non-Governmental Agencies

NCSE is a leading voice at the national level in support of extramural funding for environmental science. NCSE works to promote funding at all major federal agencies and other organizations that support environmental research and education. Today, NCSE's activities to advance funding are more critical than ever:

• NCSE is working to promote a new initiative to double the budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF)  as proposed in the President's American Competitiveness Initiative.  NCSE helped to coordinate a letter signed by 162 Members of Congress, calling for a substantial increase in funding for NSF in 2007.  
• NCSE regularly testifies before Congress in support of environmental research and education programs.
• In recent years, NCSE organized successful campaigns to restore full funding to  EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR)  graduate fellowship program. NCSE continues to lead the effort to increase funding for STAR programs this year.
• NCSE is co-chair of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coalition, an alliance of 69 organizations that advocates for increased funding for environmental science programs at the USGS. In 2006, NCSE helped launch a coalition to support the programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).   
• NCSE is a leader in the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, which has developed the Higher Education Sustainability Act (HESA) that funds sustainability programs at colleges and universities.