2012 NASPA Annual Conference  Phoenix, Arizona  March 10–14, 2012 Shaping Change: Public Policy Leadership on Campuses Monday, March 12 th – 1pm to 2pm Kandy Mink Salas & Erik Kneubuehl

Why is public policy leadership on campus important? Important to understand federal, state and local laws and how they relate to and impact our work on campus Important to be aware of and understand unfunded mandates Increase the knowledge of administrators on campus and those who create policies Understand how policy impacts access and funding of higher education

Why is public policy leadership on campus important? Proactive rather than reactive to policy More knowledge gives us the ability to influence public policy Outside of cost, may be the single most important issue for students and their families with regard to higher education

Government Relations on the Local, State, and Federal levels Most important thing is to build positive relationships in a proactive way Local level: Administration and students can directly impact these relationships such as town gown committees, inviting mayor and city council members to participate in events, creating collaborative relationships with local government

Government Relations on the Local, State, and Federal levels State level: Administration, SGA’s and faculty can work with the government relations officer on campus and with state wide groups. Invite state government officials to preside at special events, offer internship opportunities, etc.

Government Relations on the Local, State, and Federal levels Federal level: Work with the government relations office as well as through professional organizations such as NASPA Public Policy Division. Get to know your Congress persons for things like federal funding opportunities, public policy that you are concerned about, etc. -Always remember, much like with fundraising, always include the government relations office prior to venturing out on your own or within another group.

Professional Associations AACC: American Association of Community Colleges ACE: American Council on Education The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education NASPA – Public Policy Division – Website has a lot of information

Government Relations Professional on the Campus Communication up and down - help them help you! Government Relations office can support programs on campus Share information with them through regular meetings Make sure they meet key people in the Division

Relationship is key!

Government Relations Professional on the Campus Student Affairs can become a true asset to that office and in turn the college for government relations and public policy. What we offer to them is access to key groups such as students and parents. Information is key to success especially within government relations

Role of Students and Faculty Students: Constituencies can be - SGA, Student Movements (occupy wall street), Cultural Groups, Student Unions Faculty: Constituencies can be – club advisors, politically active faculty, and study abroad faculty For students it is vital for them to understand how public policy impacts them now and into their future along with how to lobby support for issues Faculty walk the line of being a part of the college but also a part of student movements - if they are included in dialogues on public policy that will trickle down to students

Building Capacity of Student Affairs Staff Create opportunities for your student affairs leadership to get to know your governmental relations staff and discuss how you can work together Conduct training opportunities for your staff on basic public policy issues, how advocacy and lobbying works, and the boundaries, protocol, and guidelines for your particular institution

"All politics are local!" - Tip O'Neil Translates into the fact that public policy starts and ends at the local level and our involvement and that of our college communities are important in shaping these policies. Questions?

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