Syracuse University officials “urged” the reauthorization of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, according to a lobbying report filed on Tuesday.

The university reported $60,000 in total lobbying activity for the third quarter of 2015, the same amount reported for the second quarter. The third quarter report covered July 1 through Sept. 30. Through three quarters, SU has lobbied for a total of $190,000, which is the same as the $190,000 reported in lobbying through three quarters in 2014.

In the second quarter, SU contacted Rep. John Katko (R-NY) about support of the reauthorization of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, which expired earlier this month. Perkins Loans are low-interest federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students with “exceptional financial need,” according to the report.

Eric Persons, the associate vice president of government and community relations, was listed as the university’s lobbyist for the reauthorization of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, according to the report.

Persons said in an email that SU lobbied for reauthorization of the program because it “is a very important program for our students and their families.” He added that about a quarter of undergraduate students at SU use the program.

In the lobbying report filed by Persons, SU also reported recommending to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to reauthorize the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007. In 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. The act is aimed at investing “in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States,” according to the act summary.

In the same filing by Persons, the university also lobbied Congress, asking to support funding for high-energy physics research.

In a separate report, Daniel J. French & Associates, a firm hired by SU to lobby, reported $50,000 in lobbying for the university. The reported lobbying activity focused on veterans affairs and SU’s idea of a veteran-focused medical school.

SU had discussion of issues as they relate to a VA affiliation with the veteran-focused medical school.

SU is currently exploring the idea of a medical school that would have 40 to 60 undergraduates enter the school tuition-free and train them to serve in VA hospitals across the U.S. after graduation. The idea of the school intrigued the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, including VA Secretary Bob McDonald, SU Vice Chancellor for Veterans and Military Affairs Mike Haynie told The Daily Orange in September.

In the report filed by Daniel J. French & Associates, the firm has reported $50,000 in lobbying activity every quarter since the third quarter of 2008, when it reported $60,000 in activity.

In the second quarter of 2015, SU recommended to the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives that it support the 21st Century Cures Act, which passed in the House on July 10. The act aims to bring health care innovation infrastructure into the 21st century, according to the committee’s website.

Going forward, Persons said SU will “continue to advocate for funding programs for our students and their families, and other opportunities to advance the University’s educational mission

The fourth quarter runs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 30 with a filing deadline of Jan. 20.

Published on October 20, 2015 at 10:10 pm

Contact Justin: jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306