**OU research team receives $1.28 million biofuel grant**
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA – An OU-led research team has received a $1.28 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to promote biofuel research.
The focus of the study is to improve output of energy from switchgrass plants and convert them more efficiently to biofuels.
Laura Bartley, assistant professor in the botany and microbiology department, will work with researchers from Oklahoma State University and The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation to characterize various grass populations.
The grant will fund operational costs, a graduate student and two postdoctoral scientist salaries for three years, material costs and any subcontracts and services needed to meet grant requirements.
“The research will contribute to a high-quality research program at OU, helping to build the reputation of OU to attract talented scientists, and develop expertise in genetics and network analysis that can be used to train students in the classroom,” Bartley said.
The research may also create farming opportunities in areas where crops would not normally grow, even drought-prone areas, according to the press release.
Switchgrass is a viable candidate because unlike fossil fuels it does not produce carbon dioxide.
The genetic information received from the study of switchgrass may also prove valuable in the future for development of other species of biofuel feedstock to grow in various regions of the U.S. and worldwide, according to the press release.
Switchgrass grows naturally in tall grass prairie from Mexico to California and throughout Oklahoma.
_By Victoria Garten, The Oklahoma Daily_
**Talib avoids suspension despite pending assault charges**
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS – Former Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib will be permitted to play in the 2011 season despite his arrest from an off-season shooting in Texas. Talib currently plays in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik announced the NFL’s decisions before the Buccaneers preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.
Talib awaits trial for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon scheduled in March. The NFL can choose to revisit his case depending on the trial’s outcome.
In 2010, Talib led the Buccaneers in interceptions, despite playing in just 11 games.
Talib, the 20th overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, was a 2007 Consensus First-Team All-American, won the 2007 Jack Tatum award as the Nation’s best defensive back and was named MVP of the 2008 Orange Bowl for the Jayhawks.
_By Ethan Padway, The Kansan_
**UH put on fiscal diet**
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – The UH Board of Regents approved a $1.36 billion budget in its quarterly meeting, which highlights a decrease in operating expenses, as the school system is forced to cope with state funding cuts for the 2012 fiscal year.
The budget, which will take effect Sept. 1, will cut 345 jobs in operations, support organizations and campus facilities. Faculty salaries were also reduced.
UH Associate Vice President and Vice Chancellor for Finance Tom Ehardt emphasized the impact the state budget has had compared to previous years.
“Twenty years ago, state allocations accounted for about half of our operating budget,” Ehardt said.
“In fiscal year 2012, it accounted for just 25 percent of the operating budget.”
A tuition increase announced in June also played a part in increasing the school’s revenue for the upcoming year, consisting of a 3.95 percent increase for 12 credit hour course loads, a 4.95 percent increase for students taking nine hours, and a 9 percent increase overall for professional students in optometry and pharmacy.
To counter this, the budget will include a $9.9 million increase in financial aid, making it a total of $66 million.
Regents sought to reduce the University’s operating expense costs per credit hour taken by students as well. The new budget reveals a 5 percent decrease in this area, from $510 per hour to $486.
The elimination of over 300 jobs was achieved through layoffs, retirement and retraction of unfilled positions. The cuts claimed 23 faculty positions, 183 professional and support staff positions, 28 positions in University Advancement and Information Technology and 11 maintenance positions.
_BY Ryan Rockett, The Daily Cougar_