Hoosiers for Higher Education to lobby for IU at annual event

Legislation pertaining to higher education is not normally a top priority for most college students. But for the members of Hoosiers for Higher Education, the 13th annual trip to the Indiana Statehouse to meet with legislators is more than just a field trip.\nHHE members, faculty, staff and students from each of the eight IU campuses will travel to Indianapolis Monday, Feb. 23 to discuss higher education concerns with state legislators. \n"Our members will meet with their local representatives to outline how higher education has affected their lives and the state of Indiana," said Kirk White, director of HHE. "We'll also request continued state support for University appropriations and student financial aid."\nUniversity appropriations will be one of the many topics being discussed with legislators. White said proposed bills, such as the tuition cap bill, could greatly affect student life at any university.\n"With a tuition cap, the university must find the funding somewhere else, whether it comes from product funding or endowments," said Rep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington. "The state revenues are below projected estimates, and when 55 percent of the budget is education, you have to look at everything."\nEvents will include a legislative briefing and a noon luncheon with state representatives. Participants will then have the opportunity to speak to the representative from their district. While out-of-state students will not have the opportunity to talk to representatives from their home district, they are encouraged to convey their concerns to Gov. Joe Kernan.\n"If volunteers are able to use the hometown connection with legislators, it helps the University," White said.\nDuring the luncheon, IU President Adam Herbert will speak, and Miss Indiana Bryn Chapman, a senior, will sing. \nAlso during the luncheon, HHE will present the Welsh-Bowen Distinguished Public Official Award to an elected government official who has made considerable contributions to higher education and to the school.\nNamed for two former Indiana governors, Otis "Doc" Bowen and Matthew Welsh, the award is accompanied by a $500 scholarship given in the recipients' names to a student attending any IU campus. \nAccording to the group's Web site, HHE and IU suffered a major loss when Don Weaver, former director of state relations, retired last October. After Weaver's retirement, the task of lobbying fell onto the shoulders of multiple IU officials. \n"Don Weaver was a great asset to Indiana University," Welch said. "Fortunately, since his retirement, I don't think they have missed a beat." \nHHE is a statewide organization consisting of more than 10,000 alumni, students, parents and friends of IU. \nEveryone is welcome to participate and HHE strongly encourages students to become involved in the efforts to strengthen the ties between universities and legislators.\n"Groups like HHE are founded to make sure that the voice of Indiana University and its students, is being heard," Welch said. \nHHE is not funded by IU but is funded by the IU Alumni Association and through donations. \n"The most effective way for state legislators to learn about issues is to talk to students, parents and friends of the University," White said. "By talking to those involved, legislators have a much clearer view of the University and why it is such a good investment."\nFor more information on HHE, visit www.indiana.edu/~hhe.