SUBJECT:  Coordination of UCSD's Governmental Relations

U. C. San Diego faces a number of governmental relations challenges including:

(a) Declining state and domestic discretionary federal budgets;

(b) An immediate and thoroughgoing reassessment and redirection of federal research priorities generated by the events of 9/11/01;

(c) Dramatic changes in the size and political composition of elected officials' districts;

(d) Projected dramatic growth in the size of UC San Diego's student body and faculty; and

(e) The integration of UC San Diego's first significant, campus-wide Capital Campaign into the diverse activities sponsored by the various departments within External Relations.

To sustain and expand campus success in government relations, we need to think strategically, act collaboratively, and maximize existing resources. At present, we have nearly a dozen people engaged on a regular basis in activities that involve elected officials. Not all of these people reside directly within government relations departments, and those who do are not in regular communication with each other regarding the nature, purpose, or scheduling of their contacts. As a result, the campus has repeatedly heard complaints from state and elected officials regarding confusion over what the University's priorities are, who speaks for the campus on which issues, and how the University's government relations priorities relate to challenges associated with the University's proposed growth plans.

To help address these concerns, the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Projects (STPP) proposes to adopt an iteration of the existing model for networking operations used by Development to create a similar system for gathering information about government relations contacts. This is not an attempt to impose a rigid reporting system. Rather, it seeks to create a process whereby people working in distinct but related activities can become more fully informed about how their work complements that of their colleagues. In addition, it will help External Relations staff working outside of government relations understand the unique dynamics of political affairs and, thereby, appreciate the importance of delegating management of UCSD's relations with public officials and organizations to campus government relations professionals.

UCSD's proposed growth plan and its emerging Capital Campaign offer unique opportunities to revive and focus a "culture of collaboration" in our approach to government relations. To this end, we recommend establishing a contacts system, modeled on that used by Development, that Dave Schroeder, Director of Federal Research Policy, will coordinate. Rather than serve merely as an archive of "after the fact" reports of staff contacts with local, state, or federal offices, it would provide background information for, and "connect" contacts to, the appropriate UCSD government relations professional.

Random and uncoordinated contacts of governmental officials can have unintended, negative effects on the outcome of carefully constructed or politically delicate lobbying campaigns. Even more damaging is the perception that UCSD appears disorganized, uncertain about its priorities, and insensitive to the scarce time and energies of the professional staff it engages.

The proposed "contacts" system will enable us to extend our reach across the various, resourceful departments within External Relations and effectively transfer to the appropriate professional enhanced access to the targeted constituent. Using this process to ensure that we manage access to critical contacts in a collaborative and coherent manner will improve efficiency as well as morale.

If you have any questions about this new system, please contact Dave Schroeder at 822-3576.

                                                Robert C. Dynes
                                                Chancellor