Creating a Community of Advocates

  • Advocate Information: New: A Utah Foundation report on the politics and process of Utah's unique convention and primary system. Plus: Tips on how to become a delegate in Utah's caucus-convention system and why it's crucial, as well as other info on Utah's legislative system, and a news article on the U's primary capital request, $50 million for critical infrastructure, all presented at the U's Advocate Information Session on Sept. 28.

  • Funding Priorities 2012: Critical utility distribution infrastructure replacement (Information Sheet; Short Informational Video); $9.6 million to restore the School of Medicine class size to 102 students (Information Sheet1 Information Sheet2); and reasonable faculty/staff raises (employees at the U have not received a cost of living increase in pay in the last three years, and the cost of living is rapidly outpacing employee pay: Highlights).

  • Alerts 2012 (Posted during the 2012 legislative session, which began January 23 and ends March 8)

  • Report on the 2012 Legislative Session: The governor and the Legislature demonstrated clear support for higher education and the University of Utah during the 2012 session. Higher education received its first increase in state funding since 2008.

  • In The News (Stories pertaining to legislation of interest — 2012 legislative session)

  • Participate in the Process! (Learn how to contact your legislators, along with what works and what doesn’t)

  • Useful information (Locating your legislators, Appropriations Committee membership, Web links, phone numbers)

  • Personal Stories (Do you have a tale to tell? Have you received a message from your legislator(s) that you would like to share, or do you have an opinion on pending legislation that would affect the U or higher education? Or perhaps you just want to let others know why you think the U is a great place and needs their support. If so, please let us know.)

Legislative Advocates: Who are they, and what DO THEY DO?

Legislative advocates are volunteers—alumni, present and former faculty and staff, and students—who encourage their representatives and senators to support the University of Utah in particular and higher education in general. Information about important issues and funding priorities affecting the University is given to more than 400 advocates before and during each legislative session. The advocates then call, write, visit, or e-mail their legislators urging their support of those priorities.

The U for Higher Ed Program offers a great way to stay connected to the U and to be involved in its future. Spread the word. We’re always looking for new advocates.

Make your voice heard! Participate in the Process!

The U for Higher Ed Program is a coalition of volunteers who share a commitment to the mission of the University of Utah—to serve the people of Utah and the world through the discovery, creation and application of knowledge; through the dissemination of knowledge by teaching, publication, artistic presentation and technology transfer; and through community engagement—and to help secure its financial future.

The program is sponsored by the University of Utah Alumni Association and Office of Government Affairs.

For more information on the program, contact Julianne Basinger at (801) 587-7837 or Marcia Dibble at (801) 581-6996.

Sign up for the U for Higher Ed Program here: Registration