Educational Relations

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The Educational Relations State and Federal Relations office is the legislative coordinating unit for the Division of Academic Affairs.  The unit is responsible for coordination and analysis of all state and federal legislation of interest to the division - this includes upwards of 600 bills for any given state legislative session assigned to the Division of Academic Affairs.  Some key issues that State and Federal Relations has focused on during recent legislative sessions include higher education accountability, admissions and transfer policies, state and federal financial aid, research funding, intellectual property and patent policies, privacy, student issues, academic freedom, K-12 charter schools, and teacher professional development.

State and Federal Relations coordinates legislative analysis by other Academic Affairs departments and units, consults with appropriate policymakers within and outside the Division, synthesizes analyses received and works to resolve conflicting recommendations of analytical and management staff.  The unit provides Academic Affairs' position recommendations directly to the University's State Governmental Relations and Federal Governmental Relations offices, prepares draft letters, and, provides in-depth review, analysis, and advice to State and Federal Governmental Relations for use in advocating official University positions on pending legislation.

Additionally, State and Federal Relations coordinates responses to legislative and executive office inquiries regarding Academic Affairs issues; helps identify and brief appropriate University witnesses for state and federal hearings; staffs the Provost, as needed; and, keeps division units and campuses informed about legislative activities through the monthly Educational Relations Bulletin.