Government Engagement at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
The ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Office of Government and Community Engagement promotes effective communication between representatives of the university and representatives of local, state, and federal governments.
The Office monitors legislative developments, and provides accurate and timely analyses of proposals and their potential impacts on ÐÔÊӽ紫ý students, staff, and faculty.
The office supports ÐÔÊӽ紫ý by:
- Ensuring the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý community is responsive to legislative requests, and elected officials and government leaders are aware of the value Nevada receives from its investments in higher education.
- Facilitating ÐÔÊӽ紫ý's research, teaching, and community engagement efforts making certain they are designed to meet the needs of all Nevadans.
Additionally, the office provides policy and guidance for the campus community relative to Elected Officials visits to campus, as well as how to best prepare for Legislative Sessions.
Guidelines for Engagement
As Nevadans, we have many opportunities to advocate for higher education and the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý. We encourage all citizens to engage with their state legislators in person, by phone, and by email. As a citizen, your efforts are important year-round – in your district, in Carson City, and in Washington, D.C.
Before you begin advocating for ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, please familiarize yourself with the following:
- A policy of non-partisanship and neutrality governs the University and its employees at all times in their relationship with elected officials or persons campaigning for public office.
- ÐÔÊӽ紫ý will not sponsor or support political candidates, ballot initiatives, or questions.
- ÐÔÊӽ紫ý campus mail and email will not be used to distribute political materials in any form. This applies to both members and nonmembers of the University community.
- If the titles of faculty and staff used in political correspondence might reasonably be construed as implying support, endorsement or opposition of the University with regard to any non-university activity or issue, the identification shall be accompanied by an explicit statement that the individual is speaking for himself or herself and not as a representative of the University or any of its offices or units.
Additionally, the Office of Government and Community Engagement (GCE) should always be informed when elected officials are visiting the university and/or invited to attend an off-site university-sponsored event, for any reason. The GCE team is poised to assist and ensure a successful campus visit.
Several related guidelines and resources to assist those who wish to advocate for ÐÔÊӽ紫ý can be found below.
Federal Engagement
The Office of Government & Community Engagement represents the university in its interactions with members of Congress, their staff, and executive branch agencies. We promote ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s research, education, and community engagement activities in an effort to increase federal support for the university and to expand awareness of ÐÔÊӽ紫ý in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, the Office prepares and submits appropriations requests for federal funding, including program requests, plus-ups, language requests, and community project funding, (formerly "earmarks").
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý strives to align its funding requests with federal priorities and community needs. Planning for and preparation of ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s appropriations requests typically begins two years ahead of the fiscal year corresponding to the requests.
The Nevada System of Higher Education partners with Van Scoyoc Associates to assist system partners, including ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, with navigating the annual appropriations process. Upon request, the Office of Government and Community Engagement can provide related resources to the campus community which provide insight into the process and tools to help prepare submissions for inclusion in ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s appropriations requests.
State Engagement
The ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Office of Government and Community Engagement Office coordinates university engagement with legislators, the Governor’s office, and the Nevada System of Higher Education. Additionally, the Office represents the university during State of Nevada Legislative Sessions and at Interim Finance Committee meetings.
Local Engagement
The ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Office of Government and Community Engagement represents the university by building and maintaining relationships with the local community/elected and appointed officials, their staff, and key community leaders, and identifies emerging issues and proposals of interest to the university in order to recommend strategies and advocate the University's position.