Water policy and politics have global ramifications, and a new class at the University of Oregon explores these issues in depth.

Nominations are open for this year’s Financial Stewardship Institute, a University of Oregon program that offers training for employees with budget responsibilities.

The 43-hour program is offered to UO staff annually to help develop knowledge and skills around the principles of financial stewardship. This year, 28 spots are available in the program.

All staff who hold positions with budget responsibility – officers of administration, instruction and research, and classified staff – are eligible for nomination. Participants can be self-nominated or suggested by others.

University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson is one of 165 university presidents and chancellors representing all 50 states who have signed an open letter to President Obama and members of congress, expressing concern about federal budget cuts to research and higher education.

Being a native of Bend, Ore., 18-year-old Megan Heinrich was drawn to one thing in particular about the University of Oregon: climate.

“It doesn’t snow here,” she said, laughing.

The University of Oregon has received reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities – the regional authority on educational quality and institutional effectiveness.

Kevin Butler’s research as an assistant professor in Computer and Information Science benefits business systems that rely on secure information.

Now he’s benefitting from that work, as well.

Butler recently won a National Science Foundation Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace CAREER Award entitled "Securing Critical Infrastructure with Autonomously Secure Storage."