Describes a college course which studies the U.S. House of Representatives. The course examines the origins of the House, life on the hill, rules, committee assignments, leadership, legislators, and the bureaucracy. (RM)

The attitudes of 100 Alabama legislators toward higher education and about major issues facing higher education in the State were investigated. Surveys were returned by 79 house members (75 percent) and 21 senate members (60 percent). Attention was focused on legislators' views of the mission of higher education, how higher education should be…

This guide is intended to help people in the nursing profession, especially deans at schools of nursing, to effectively influence public policy at the federal level. Introductory material identifies key Senate and House committees and stresses the importance of establishing and maintaining a relationship with one's representatives in the Congress.…

Guidelines are presented for the various levels of the government relations effort, minimum programs, staff responsibilities, and the role of associations. Advice on the politics of transition--as higher education moves to a lower priority in the political process--is also given. (Author/MSE)

Describes a music educator's experiences in lobbying for legislative support of school music programs. Suggests that those interested in lobbying should set clear goals, develop networks of supporters and acknowledge their assistance, maintain community visibility, and brainstorm for ideas. Emphasizes the importance of getting news coverage and of…

Pennsylvania sought statewide media support for higher education by working on a project to encourage editorials against President Reagan's proposed budget cuts in student aid. Guidelines for visiting newspaper editors are provided. (MLW)

A 1996 survey of state policymakers and public college representatives in states with performance funding (Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee) is presented. Although differences exist across states in a number of areas, findings challenge the assumption of an irreconcilable gap between…

This digest of a full-length report provides a review of state level budgeting for higher education in terms of the underlying interplay of human and external forces coupled with factors that are present in the budgeting process itself. The environmental context includes historical, political, economic, and demographic factors. These factors…

Interviews with 21 state legislators, leading technology activists in their states, reveal that policymakers are feeling pressured to ensure that all education sectors have access to the best in educational technology and are attempting to reconcile the costs of such innovation with the educational benefits. Findings of the study, including…

Examines the work of the college or university chief financial officer (CFO) in government relations, focusing on the CFO's responsibilities, methods of working with state legislatures, pitfalls in legislative relations, and special problems faced by institutions in capital cities. (Author/MSE)

When a state legislator requested that the president of Southwest Missouri State University stop production of a drama department production about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the administrator refused to accede to pressure and enlisted and won the board's support. (MSE)

Discusses a course on U.S. Congress in which students analyze Congress as an institution, the role of Congress in the political system, and Congressional members. Emphasizes the role Congress should play in the Madisonian policy process. Examines the history of Congress, budgetary politics, foreign policy, and congressional reforms. Includes…

Discusses the recent increases in funding to the science and engineering directorate at the National Science Foundation. Credits the resurgence to the United States Congress. Questions how long the rise in the science education budget will be maintained. (TW)

Discusses processes used to develop faculty workload policy at 13 campuses of the University of Maryland, unique in that it incorporates a report providing clear evidence of faculty productivity and increases in teaching productivity following implementation of the policy. A case study shows both the policy and the workload reporting method…

Election of Bill Clinton as President has injected Washington, DC, with optimism, but few observers believe his promises will be accomplished without eruptions of conflict, frustration, and acrimony. The 103rd Congress must face pressing issues immediately, concerning health care and benefits, higher education financing, and research and…