1. How advocacy can help your institution
It’s not just about achieving legislative goals
Alan Janesch
CUPRAP
March 9, 2017

2. Outline What is legislative advocacy? Why is it important?
How does advocacy work at Penn State?
How can advocacy help your institution?
Advocacy 101
Q&A

5. Appropriation vs. tuition and fees As a percentage of the General Funds Budget

6. What is legislative advocacy?
Legislative advocacy refers to efforts to influence the introduction, enactment, or modification of legislation.
Most commonly, this means contacting a legislator, sharing your views on an issue, and asking him or her to vote a specific way on a bill.
This can be done with something as easy as a phone call or letter, or by a formal meeting with the legislator or staff person.

7. Why is advocacy important?
Higher ed lobbyists, in-house or at private firms, advance their institutions’ legislative priorities
But outside voices—alumni, students—can effectively amplify that message
Many public institutions have advocacy programs
Do private colleges & universities have advocacy programs? Public Affairs Council, DC, not aware of any
But private institutions can also benefit from advocacy programs–or at least using some of its building blocks

8. How does advocacy work at Penn State?
As PA’s sole land-grant institution, Penn State has a three-part mission of teaching, research, and service
In return for fulfilling this mission, and as part of a 150-year-old covenant, Penn State receives support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
That support helps keep a PSU education world-class, accessible and affordable
The Alumni Association’s advocacy program is the Penn State Grassroots Network
The Network helps volunteers support Penn State’s legislative goals

10. What is the Grassroots Network?
A legislative education and advocacy group
Launched in 2003 by the Penn State Alumni Association
Nearly 30,000 subscribed volunteer advocates, mostly alumni

11. What does the Network do?
Keeps volunteers informed about government action that could help or hurt Penn State
Provides the training, tools, and messages volunteers need to reach out effectively to their elected officials about key legislative issues
Sponsors events that help volunteers stay connected to each other and to their elected officials

12. Advocacy Coordination Team
Advocacy Coordination Team (ACT)
Common-wealth Campuses
Strategic Commun-ications
Penn State Alumni Association/ Grassroots Network
Student Affairs
Board Of Trustees Office
Outreach/ WPSU
Student Government
Office of Govt and Community Relations
Ag. Advocates

14. Advocacy can help your institution….
Engage alumni, students, trustees, admin/staff
Build support for top priorities
Increase awareness/appreciation among key opinion leaders, boost pride and loyalty among your key constituents
Build public awareness of your institution’s contributions to the community
Draw attention to shared concerns and suggest solutions:
“What gets talked about gets done.” – Frank Baumgartner
“The bird that chirps is the one that gets fed.” – Marty Flynn

15. Advocacy program building blocks
Identify the public officials you want to reach
Identify institutional stakeholders who:
Really care about the institution
Have strong relationships with those officials
Are respected opinion leaders
Develop strong messages
Find ways to connect your volunteers & gov’t officials
Use traditional & social media to amplify your messages

16. Groups that can help you

17. Questions?