From Campus to Capitol ─ The Role of Government Relations in Higher Education

"Offices of government relations now exist on many university campuses, but they are perhaps the least understood of all the administrative offices. This book attempts to explain the duties of these offices and how the offices interact with other on-campus constituencies, such as the governing board, president, and faculty, as well as off-campus constituencies, such as county and city governments, state government, and the federal government. These relationships are complex and often difficult, but in the end the payoff to the university can be great."---from the Introduction

From Campus to Capitol takes a comprehensive look at how governments affect institutions of higher learning, in the process illuminating the role of the government relations officer.

All institutions of higher learning, from large state universities to community and private colleges, benefit from strong relationships with local, state, and federal governments. This book examines the importance of government relations officers and discusses how they can most effectively negotiate a tangled web of political entities---from community associations to mayors to lobbyists---while ensuring that their institution's best interests are met.

In an era of declining state appropriations, increasing economic instability, and surging enrollments, successful interaction with government representatives is crucial. Whether securing a million-dollar federal earmark or helping to support the local economy, the government relations officer's influence is essential, both where it shows and behind the scenes.

Drawing on more than thirty years of experience. William McMillen offers an insider's account of this major player in American higher education. Anecdotes and interviews with other government relations officers illustrate the challenges they face on and off campus.

William McMillen is Vice President for Government Relations and Chief of Staff at the University of Toledo. He writes a government relations column, "The Party Line," for the Chronicle of Higher Education under the pseudonym Peter Onear.