Georgia Tech joins research university association

Georgia Tech has become a member of a nonprofit association whose members include some of the leading public and private research universities in the country.

The Association of American Universities announced Wednesday that Tech was selected to be part of the group -- whose more than 60 members include Harvard University, Emory University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The group focuses on funding, policy and other critical issues for research universities.

Tech is the first new member in nine years, according to a news release from the association.