North Carolina’s state government has a long history of providing robust support to public higher education in North Carolina. The North Carolina General Assembly continues to hold significant policy, budgetary, oversight and appointment responsibilities with respect to the operations of the UNC System. Throughout the biennial legislative session, UNCG monitors legislative activity of interest to the institution and its stakeholders including issues related to enrollment and operations funding, personnel matters, facility maintenance, educational priorities and Board appointments.

As a public research institution, UNCG holds a substantial portfolio of federally-directed research activity funded by agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Health and Human Services. UNCG and its stakeholders also receive significant support through student and institutional aid programs outlined in the Higher Education Act of 1965. Beyond funding matters, UNCG is regulated by federal law and federal agency guidance in matters such as Title IV (student financial aid), Title IX (sex-related discrimination in educational settings), Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Equal Employment Opportunity), and the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (G.I. Bill). The Director of Federal and External Affairs works to inform federal budget and policy decisions, develops communication channels with Congressional members and their staff, and coordinates with UNC System representatives and national higher education associations to facilitate connections with federally funded programs and activities on campus.

Institutional Engagement with Elected Officials

As a public institution, UNCG adheres to statutory and regulatory limitations when engaging elected officials. Only designated senior level officials are authorized to directly identify and communicate institutional priorities and positions on behalf of the institution and/or the UNC System. The University engages with legislators as an informational resource to contextualize policy and funding issues but does not participate in political advocacy or activism.

As a public institution, UNCG is considered to be an agent of the government and must uphold the rights and protections guaranteed in the United States Constitution, including provisions related to free speech.

At the State level, the University conducts informational engagement through a designated legislative liaison but does not employ professional lobbyists, in accordance with NC ethics laws and UNC System policy. The Director of State and External Affairs is authorized to communicate the priorities of UNCG and the UNC Board of Governors to state government officials, the North Carolina General Assembly, key legislative and government staff, third party advocates and other education groups on behalf of the University and the Chancellor.

Because the Director serves as the formal liaison to the state government, the Director should be kept informed of any discussions with state officials and must be informed prior to any communications related to larger University priorities or interests. The Director should be engaged in opportunities related to academic or educational activities (e.g., scheduling visits to the Capital, asking officials to speak to classes) to provide assistance with planning and protocol. The Director is also well versed in state ethics laws and should be consulted immediately on questions regarding the extent to which state officials can receive gifts, meals, etc.

Similar to activity at the State level, the University employs an educational and responsive approach in communicating priorities at the federal level and does not contract with professional lobbyists. Before any campus employee may initiate contact with covered federal government officials to discuss priorities or interests on behalf of the University, prior approval from the Director of Federal and External Affairs, in consultation with the Chancellor and Provost, is required in accordance with Federal ethics and compliance regulations. Covered federal government officials include any member, officer, or employee of Congress or the President, Vice President, officers and employees of the Executive Office of the President, and various high-level officials and uniformed officers in the executive branch. Scenarios that specifically require advance approval by the Director of Federal and External Affairs are outlined in 300.1.7 of the University of North Carolina System Policy Manual, “Regulation on Contacts with Covered Federal Government Officials” and are further governed by the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA). Violations of the LDA can result in serious penalties.

The Director may also be consulted on academic or educational activities (e.g., scheduling meetings with Congressional members, campus visits by elected officials or agency heads, Congressional support requests) to provide insight regarding protocol and facilitate connections with relevant internal resources.