WVU researchers worry about federal spending cuts - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

WVU researchers worry about federal spending cuts

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  • Saturday, May 25 2013 7:47 PM EDT2013-05-25 23:47:22 GMT
    One man died and another is behind bars Saturday after a son shoots and kills his father at their Overlook Drive home in Stanaford.Raleigh County Sheriff's Deputies said 23-year-old Donald Gray Dunn, Jr.
    One man died and another is behind bars Saturday after a son shoots and kills his father at their Overlook Drive home in Stanaford.Raleigh County Sheriff's Deputies said 23-year-old Donald Gray Dunn, Jr.

MORGANTOWN (AP) — West Virginia University officials say looming federal budget cuts could slash research funding by up to $7 million, hurting students and teachers alike.

WVU has joined other researchers nationwide in asking Congress to reconsider the spending cuts set to take effect March 1. Science Works for U.S. launched a campaign Tuesday called "Stop the Sequester," detailing what could be lost.

WVU vice president of research Fred King says such big cuts could slow or end some projects.

Physics department chairman Earl Scime tells the Dominion Post it's possible that 10 of his 100 graduate students could lose funding for their work.

He says the cuts also threaten the job security of younger faculty members, who must do research to secure tenure.

Federal aid to students could also be cut.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.