When American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and other membership organizations try to engage individuals in advocacy, a frequent exhortation is "Contact your representatives in Congress." Professional membership groups also stress that written communication is more powerful than phone calls to a representative's office, and they…

America's public universities educate 80% of our nation's college students. But in the wake of rising demands on state treasuries, changing demographics, growing income inequality, and legislative indifference, many of these institutions have fallen into decline. Tuition costs have skyrocketed, class sizes have gone up, the number of courses…

Differences in political ideology between college and university administrators and federal legislators have brought about lack of communication, mistrust, and indifference between Congress and higher education. This article discusses the bridging of these differences through common understanding and collaboration to meet the challenges faced by…

Reviews how economics came to be a required course in Georgia high schools. Explains that the change was made at a time when businesspeople predominated in the state legislature. Indicates that the business community was divided over the issue, whereas most teachers resisted. Concludes that business interest pressures led to the requirement's…

Educators and legislators tend to have differing impressions of the definition of educational quality. Components of quality can be classified into three categories: (1) input, e.g., student characteristics, such as grade point average and test scores, and faculty characteristics, such as advanced degrees and publications; (2) environment/process,…

State legislators who consistently challenge higher education on one or more issues are seen as both allies, for bringing issues to the forefront, and as foes, for their sometimes strident criticism. Many such legislative critics focus on accountability vs. autonomy. (MSE)

Describes the origination, goals, funding proposal, and implementation of "Project People," a public relations effort conducted by the California Community and Junior College Association. Reveals how the project strengthened the colleges' position through more knowledgeable staff, heightened awareness of college needs within state and…

The activities of a University of Miami lobbying team at the state legislature's annual 60-day session are described. Each of the three team members has specific area and bill responsibilities, but their coordination and teamwork are seen as essential to success in promoting the university's interests. (MSE)

The US state lawmakers are concerned with the budgets and management of public colleges, though with a little push from "helicopter parents" who hover over their college-age children and challenge administrative decisions, legislators are increasingly intervening in a range of student-life issues. Frequently, legislators who are parents…

Catholic University and Columbia University hired a public relations firm to help lobby their proposals for money from the Department of Energy's budget for new facilities. Discusses the successful outcome of their efforts, pointing out that some legislators are concerned that more colleges/universities will contact representatives to obtain…

The strategy of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities to combat student aid budget cuts is discussed. The main event was a "Day in Washington" when members discussed the impact of the proposed cuts with the 25 congressmen and two senators from Pennsylvania. (MLW)

An education lobbyist reviews trends in governmental relations by higher education organizations since the 1960s, notes problems during the Reagan administration, the tendency toward decentralization and fragmentation of the higher education message, and current needs for leadership among higher education interests. (MLW)

A model program in New England enhances state government relations by informing legislators about higher education's impact on state economies. The regional undertaking overcame apathy, competing interests, and time pressures to build a close working relationship with legislators. (Author/MSE)

Tennessee's higher education funding based on institutional performance is discussed by three key participant-observers of the state's initiatives: Steve Cobb, Arliss Roaden, and John Folger. Money for remedial education was taken out of university budgets and put in special college preparatory institutes. These institutes are discussed. (MLW)

Conflicts over authority between the California legislature and the University of California are examined. Compensatory strategies were adopted: authority was used in one area to gain control of a second. The outcomes of these conflicts and their policy implications for university independence and responsiveness are examined. (Author/MLW)