Vote with your voice

Parent contact with legislators can influence University-related decisions

As a parent, you know your student looks to you for advice and guidance, but there's another body of individuals that also values your ideas and opinions—the 150 members of the Iowa General Assembly.

Because The University of Iowa is a state university, the legislature significantly influences its budget, and your involvement with your local legislators can have an impact on the resources available for your student's UI education.

For that reason, the University has an ongoing UI Advocates program that provides parents, alumni, and other UI supporters with information and tools that enable them to effectively communicate with their local legislators. As advocates, parents will receive regular updates from the University's Office of Governmental Relations about how the Iowa House of Representatives and Senate are making higher education funding decisions.

These updates educate advocates about University-related legislation and funding proposals, enabling parents and other advocates to then share their thoughts with their local legislators.

Even though UI officials are in close contact with members of the legislature, a visit, phone call, letter, or e-mail from a parent can have a significant impact on how individual legislators understand UI-related issues.

Keith Saunders, the University's state relations officer, and his counterparts at Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa spend their days at the state capitol when the legislature is in session, attending committee meetings, reviewing bills, and keeping the lines of communication open between the universities and the General Assembly. By building relationships with legislators, Saunders positions the University for favorable consideration when budget decisions are being made.

For information on becoming a UI Advocate contact Keith Saunders at 319-240-0007 or keith-saunders@uiowa.edu, or visit the Government Relations web site.