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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Groups that can help you https://phelap.wordpress.com/

Questions?