About Us
The Government & Community Relations division is the link between campus and community, and between the University
and government.
We work to build bridges between UCLA, the greater Los Angeles
community and the government entities with which we interact each
day by providing ideas, information, counsel and assistance. In
the process, we seek to strengthen support for UCLA, the University
of California and public higher education.
Through our operating units – Advocacy, Local, State, and
Federal Relations – we work to build, maintain and strengthen
our working relationships with the elected officials and government
agencies whose decisions impact UCLA’s future. Through our
Advocacy Program – which engages volunteer alumni in that
process – we ensure that the voices of UCLA’s friends,
community partners and alumni are heard loud and clear in the halls
of power. To find out more about our organizational structure click here.
Local Government & Community Relations
Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with community
representatives and elected officials is the responsibility of
Local Government & Community Relations. As UCLA’s primary
point of contact in Southern California, the unit makes University
resources more accessible to the community, keeps neighbors informed
of campus construction and improvement projects that might affect
them, welcomes them to campus events, and reaches out to cities
in Los Angeles County. As the chief liaison with L.A. city and
county governments the Local Government & Community Relations
team meets with local officials and their staffs, involves them
in campus events, refers faculty experts to government committees
and research programs, and helps identify UCLA students for local
government internships.
State Government Relations
UCLA’s State Government Relations unit, in partnership with
colleagues from UC campuses throughout California, manages ongoing
communication with 12 state senators and 23 state assemblymembers
from the greater Los Angeles region, state agency officials, and
members of the governor’s administration. Our staff – and
the many friends and alumni volunteers who communicate with elected
officials and travel to Sacramento to help advocate on UCLA’s
behalf – work to ensure that public higher education at UCLA
and throughout the UC system is effectively represented. A major
priority is ensuring that UC’s core funding needs are met
in the annual budget process.
Federal Relations
UCLA’s Federal Relations staff serves as a liaison between
UCLA, the University of California Office of the President and
members of Congress, their staffs, and executive branch agencies.
We promote UCLA and UC research, education and public service activities
in an effort to increase federal support and expand awareness of
UCLA and the UC system in Washington, D.C. We work with legislators
who are important to UCLA because they represent Southern California;
serve on committees critical to higher education; represent constituents
who work, learn and benefit from the University’s presence;
or are UCLA alumni. With more than $500 million in federally supported
research projects at UCLA and more than one-third of our undergraduate
students receiving federal financial aid, maintaining good working
relationships in Washington D.C. is essential.
Advocacy Programs
Bruin Caucus is comprised of
volunteers who ensure that the “citizen voice” is
heard whenever UCLA communicates with external
constituencies. Teaming with the Government & Community Relations
staff, Bruin Caucus members take the UCLA story to local, state
and federal elected officials, government agencies and community
leaders. They advocate for UCLA at our annual UCLA Day with Local
Government, UC Day in Sacramento, and UCLA Day in Washington,
D.C. and are a key part of our legislator and candidate-to-campus
visits,
legislative staff briefings and district outreach programs.
To learn more about UCLA’s Government & Community
Relations activities, and to become a member of Bruin Caucus,
contact:
UCLA Government & Community Relations
Keith S. Parker
Assistant Vice Chancellor
310-794-6823
advocacy@support.ucla.edu
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