Government Relations Workshop
A government relations workshop was conducted during the Fall
meeting of the Oregon Conference, October 29, 1994. Edward
Marth, Executive Director of the University of Connecticut
Chapter was the guest speaker; he directed the workshop. Drawing
on his extensive experience, including having been the Executive
Director of AAUP at the University of Rhode Island and a state
senator in Rhode Island, he helped us consider various options in
government and public relations. He provided a wealth of
materials which we can examine and modify for our use. A number
of ideas were generated, including: (1) building a computer-based
data file on issues, using a reader to copy newspaper articles,
etc. into the data base; (2) develop a more effective lobbying
effort for the Conference; (3) help develop a linkage among
various higher education lobbying efforts in the state; (4) use
the media to convey the value of higher education to the state --
economic impact of funded research, etc.; (5) expand on the
activities of our Government and Public Relations Committee to
help coordinate activities across our various institutions,
develop press releases, write featured articles for newspapers,
etc.; (6) and develop a telephone tree to aid rapid
communications on issues of vital importance to faculty.
Redefining the role of our Executive Secretary to emphasize
public relations and membership was discussed; it may be possible
to obtain an AFC grant from National to help this type of
activity. This possibility will be discussed in a future
Conference meeting.